'I have transcended that phase in my intellectual growth where I discover humour in simple freakishness. What exists is real; therefore it is tragic, since whatever lives must die. Only fantasy, the vapors rising from sheer nonsense, can now excite my laughter.' - Lord Pirmence of Castle Lutez
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This speaker finds humor only in nonsense because reality is tragic due to death.
- In plain terms
- Real life is sad so only silly things make me laugh.
- What can you take from it?
- Nonsense offers escape from tragic reality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is life inherently tragic?
- Does fantasy protect us from sadness?
Another view
It dismisses simple humor without clear justification.
More from Jack Vance
Shimrod said: 'Once I thought of you as a child in a woman's body.' Melanchte smiled a cool smile. 'And now?' 'The child seems to have wandered away'.
Permalink to quote #41 Orthodoxy derives from this axiomatic foundation, and the two systems are mutually reinforcing: hence each is doubly validated.
Permalink to quote #40 Zaxa rode a small pacing wole, and carried his fabulous sword Zil, while the others of the party rode steeds of other descriptions
Permalink to quote #39
Related quotes
Clevinger was dead. That was the basic flaw in his philosophy.
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller quote #6 I have this heavy addiction to life and I'm told that the withdrawal symptoms are shocking.
Kyril BonfiglioliKyril Bonfiglioli quote #17 Some say that gleams of a remoter world Visit the soul in sleep, - that death is slumber, And that its shapes the busy thoughts outnumber Of those who wake and…
Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley quote #20