Definitions HQ

Birth (n.) enlists ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠us: there is no discharge from the moment we are born.

Birth (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠trivial, ambivalent raw material for good and bad outcomes, the first step but not greater than all that follows just because it is first.

Birth (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the misfortune to avoid: the greatest fortune is never to be born, the next best to die young and return to one's original state.

Birth (n.) makes ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠no man rich: each is commanded at first light to be content with milk and rags — and yet kingdoms are too small for us.

Birth (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠entry to a city shared by gods and men: the wonders on offer are marvellous, but to arrive at those marvels you must pass through the dangers.

Birth (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠like being briefed before a journey to Syracuse: you are shown the stars, the seas and the arts, and also war, shipwreck and the deaths of those you love — and knowing the terms, you would still choose to go.