Nature, in her indifference, makes no distinction between good and evil.
—Anatole France, 1914
Nature is not cruel, only pitilessly indifferent.
—Richard Dawkins, 1995
This universe is not hostile, nor yet is it friendly. It is simply indifferent.
—John Haynes Holmes, 1932.
***
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
—William Shakespeare, 1599
All the world’s a stage,
And most of us are desperately under-rehearsed.
—Seán O’Casey, 1964
2
All the world’s a cage,
And all the men and women are merely hamsters.
3
—Tony Vigorito, 2017
It is impossible to imagine the universe run by a wise, just and
omnipotent God, but it is quite easy to imagine it run by a board of gods. If such a board
actually exists it operates exactly like the board of a corporation that is losing money.
—H. L. Mencken, 1956
***
When I was born I wept, and every day brings a reason why.
—Spanish proverb
Maybe this world is another planet’s hell.
—Aldous Huxley, 1954
Who made the world I cannot tell;
‘Tis made, and here am I in hell.
—A. E. Housman, 1936
The world’s a sorry wench, akin
To all that’s fail and frightful:
The world’s as ugly, ay, as Sin –
And almost as delightful.
—Frederick Locker-Lampson, 1862
2
I am not fully confident this publication was the first one.
3
This is an extension of the earlier first line by Jeanne Phillips.
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On the World and Time, Life and Death