{…} but I remember I preferred the soldier to the philosopher at the time; a preference which life has only confirmed. One was a man, and the other was either more – or less. However, they are both dead, and Mrs Beard is dead, and youth, strength, genius, thoughts, achievements, simple hearts – all dies… No matter.
This excerpt from Joseph Conrad's "Youth" reflects the author's contemplation of life and death. The speaker expresses a preference for a soldier over a philosopher, suggesting a belief in the tangible, action-oriented nature of the soldier's life compared to the abstract thinking of the philosopher. This preference seems to have grown stronger over time, as real experiences have shaped the speaker's perspective on life and its inevitable end.
Additionally, the passage...
