The quote from Saul Bellow's "Seize the Day" explores the concept of existential void. It expresses the idea that at our core, we may feel like we are nothing. This realization can be uncomfortable, leading individuals to seek fulfillment and meaning in their lives, striving to become "something" rather than embracing their inherent emptiness.

However, in this quest, there is a tendency to project an illusion of success or worth onto others, ultimately deceiving both themselves and those around them. The struggle between the desire for significance and the underlying awareness of nothingness creates a complex internal conflict that defines human experience.