[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f_76Za03VRMiHOWNqmCsjyAWPgS-rFizJEUL470d6ECs":3,"$fesSDkAOpsZ_yxc3wa4vty6G7UMAW3AY8aBRXha30AWI":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},78616,"Kathrine Mansfield","K",1,null,"kathrine-mansfield",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":28},[14],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":27},561906,"If you wish to live, you must first attend your own funeral.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},3028447,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},3045,"life-and-death","**The Backstory**\n\nThis enigmatic quote is attributed to the French writer and poet Jean de La Fontaine, but its origin remains unclear. However, it is often associated with the 17th-century literary movement in France, where writers like Molière and Pascal explored the human condition through philosophical musings. During this time, many authors were grappling with the meaning of life amidst a backdrop of societal upheaval.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nAt first glance, the quote seems to suggest an invitation to contemplate mortality as a means to prioritize one's existence. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a counter-intuitive truth: that attending one's own funeral is not about acknowledging death, but rather about accepting the irrelevance of external validation in life. By attending their own funeral, the speaker implies that one must disentangle themselves from the need for recognition and approval from others.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, a modern professional or creative can benefit from adopting a posture of \"premature obituarization,\" where they mentally prepare for success or failure without being beholden to external expectations. By doing so, they free themselves to pursue their goals with an unshakeable sense of purpose, unfettered by the need for constant approval or validation.",{"currentPage":8,"totalPages":8,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":29},10]