“I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens.”
— Woody Allen
Simplified Meaning:
This quote is saying that the person isn't scared of the idea of death, but they don't want to experience the moment when it happens. It's like saying you don’t mind cars existing, but you wouldn’t want to be hit by one. For example, many people aren't afraid of sleeping or being asleep, but they wouldn't want to be awake during a sleepwalking incident since it would be uncomfortable and confusing. Similarly, people can accept that everyone eventually dies, but the process and the pain of dying are what make them uneasy. In real life, this could be like not being afraid of flying in a plane but not wanting to be there if the plane crashes. So, the wisdom here is about separating fear of the inevitable from the discomfort of experiencing it. If you think about this, it can help reduce anxiety about things we can’t control and focus on enjoying life more.
