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About this quote

What does it mean?
Knowing the end is near, the speaker plays along without knowing what role exactly is being played.
In plain terms
Anticipating the end, I acted without understanding the part.
What can you take from it?
Uncertainty persists even when the end is known.

Where it applies

  • end of life
  • career transition
  • closure

Putting it to work

  • accept ambiguity
  • prepare for endings

Questions to consider

  • What role are you playing now?
  • How do you act when the end is near?

Another view

Not knowing the role may be preferable to knowing it.

More from Samuel Beckett

  1. Do you ever think? The voice, God forbid.

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  2. To contrive a little kingdom, in the midst of the universal muck, then shit on it, ah that was me all over.

    Permalink to quote #39
  3. Normally I didn't see a great deal. I didn't hear a great deal either. I didn't pay attention. Strictly speaking I wasn't there. Strictly speaking I believe I'…

    Permalink to quote #36

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