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About this quote

What does it mean?
A man dreams of a massive funeral to prove he was known.
In plain terms
He wants people to gather to show he mattered.
What can you take from it?
Seek validation through public recognition of life.

Where it applies

  • funeral planning
  • midlife crisis
  • seeking approval

Putting it to work

  • value self intrinsically
  • avoid seeking applause

Questions to consider

  • Does being known matter?
  • What is a good life?

Another view

Fame does not guarantee worth or happiness.

More from Arthur Miller

  1. Work a lifetime to pay off a house - You finally own it and there's nobody to live in it.

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  2. Spite, spite, is the word of your undoing!

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.

    Permalink to quote #55

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