You disgust me, all of you, with your happiness! With your life that must be loved at all costs. {…} I spit on your idea of life! {…} You are all like dogs that lick everything they smell! {…} I do not want to understand. I am here for something other than understanding. I am here to tell you no, and to die. To tell you no and to die.

You disgust me, all of you, with your happiness! With your life that must be loved at all costs. {…} I spit on your idea of life! {…} You are all like dogs that lick everything they smell! {…} I do not want to understand. I am here for something other than understanding. I am here to tell you no, and to die. To tell you no and to die.

📖 Jean Anouilh

🌍 French  |  👨‍💼 Playwright

🎂 June 23, 1910  –  ⚰️ October 3, 1987
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The quoted passage expresses a deep disdain for the conventional ideas of happiness and life embraced by others. The speaker feels a strong repulsion towards those who seem to cherish their existence unconditionally, likening them to uncritical beasts. This rejection signifies a profound alienation from societal norms and an unwillingness to conform or find value in a life dedicated to pleasure and superficial joy.

Moreover, the speaker emphasizes a desire for authenticity over any attempt at understanding or acceptance of mainstream values. Their declaration of being present not for comprehension but to voice negation underscores a struggle against societal pressures. The repetition of the phrase "to tell you no and to die" reinforces a tragic resolve, highlighting a belief that true existence may lie in opposition to the values of the world around them.

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