In Herman Melville's "Mardi and a Voyage Thither," the quote reflects on the nature of eternity and the human experience of fear regarding nonexistence. The idea suggests that whether we examine the past or the future, time is ultimately irrelevant when considering the concept of eternity. It implies that our worries about being nothing are unfounded, as we have already experienced that state in the past.

This perspective challenges the conventional perception of life and death, suggesting that both may lead to the same void. The quote pushes readers to confront their existential fears and reconsider their relationship with time, existence, and nothingness. Melville's philosophical insight invites reflection on the cyclical nature of life and death, as both might lead to a similar ending, prompting us to rethink our understanding of what it means to exist.