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About this quote

What does it mean?
Few people alive now are compared to the many who have died.
In plain terms
Living people are few compared to the dead.
What can you take from it?
Death is more common than life.

Where it applies

  • memento mori
  • historical stats

Putting it to work

  • consider mortality rates

Questions to consider

  • Who are the silent majority?

Another view

It simplifies the scale of history.

More from William Cullen Bryant

  1. Old ocean's gray and melancholy waste.

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent hall…

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. The hills, Rock-ribbed, and ancient as the sun.

    Permalink to quote #30

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