no matter how intelligent, perceptive and gifted you were, no matter how entirely you lived for the ascetic rewards of the intellect and eschewed the material world and the ignobility of the flesh, if your heart just gave out . . . That
The quote from Iain M. Banks' "Excession" suggests that no matter one's intellect or spiritual dedication, they are ultimately vulnerable to physical limitations, such as health issues. It underscores the idea that intelligence and ascetic pursuits can't shield one from life's basic realities, particularly the fragility of the human heart and body. This reflects a broader philosophical theme, highlighting the interplay between the mind and the physical condition.
In a world...