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See, I know you entertain some kind of eternal life fantasy because you've chosen not to smoke; let me be the first to pop that fucking bubble and send you hurtling back to reality - because you're dead too. And you know what doctors say: 'Shit, if only you'd smoked, we'd have the technology to help you. It's you people dying from nothing who are screwed.'

Bill Hicks#33

HealthDeathTruthRealityLifestyle

About this quote

What does it mean?
He aggressively debunks the idea of eternal life by reminding listeners they are mortal.
In plain terms
He tells non-smokers they will still die and jokes doctors might have saved them if they smoked.
What can you take from it?
Confront denial of mortality with blunt reality.

Where it applies

  • health discussion
  • existential talk
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • challenge denialism
  • promote realistic health views

Questions to consider

  • How do people cope with mortality?
  • Is fear a good motivator for health?

Another view

The medical claim is hypothetical and potentially misleading.

More from Bill Hicks

  1. Non-smokers die every day. Sleep tight!

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  2. And I'll tell you something too. That's starting to annoy me about UFOs, the fact that they cross galaxies or universes to visit us, and always end up in place…

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I recommend you look around the world in which we live, and : I don't know, shut your fucking mouth?

    Permalink to quote #31

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