I have no fear of ghosts, and I have never heard it said that so much harm had been done by the dead during 6,000 years as it brought by the living in a single day.
The quote highlights the idea that the actions of the living pose a far greater threat than those of the deceased. It emphasizes the lack of fear of ghosts or supernatural entities, suggesting that they do not cause significant harm. Instead, it is the living individuals who, through their actions and decisions, can inflict considerable damage in just one day, outweighing what the dead might do in millennia.
This perspective invites reflection on human behavior and accountability. It challenges the notion of fearing the unknown after death while advocating for a recognition of the impact that living individuals have on one another and the world. Dumas thus underscores the importance of addressing the moral implications of our choices in life rather than being preoccupied with the fear of what might come after.