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About this quote

What does it mean?
Saroyan humorously or poignantly states that his main goal is simply to stay alive as long as possible.
In plain terms
His goal is just to live as long as he can.
What can you take from it?
Survival is a primary human instinct.

Where it applies

  • discussing life goals
  • confronting mortality
  • humor about life

Putting it to work

  • value existence
  • accept mortality

Questions to consider

  • What gives life purpose?
  • How do you face mortality?

Another view

It reduces life to mere survival without addressing meaning or quality.

More from William Saroyan

  1. The business of polishing my shoes satisfies my soul.

    Permalink to quote #73
  2. The purpose of writing is both to keep up with life and to run ahead of it. I am little comfort to myself, although I am the only comfort I have, excepting per…

    Permalink to quote #75
  3. Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.

    Permalink to quote #72

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