Immortality

From Western Attitudes Toward Death by Philippe Aries, translated by Patricia Ranum:

In any case, this eloquent décor of death toppled in our day, and death has become unnamable. Everything henceforth goes on as if neither I nor those who are dear to me are any longer mortal. Technically, we admit that we might die; we take out insurance on our lives to protect our families from poverty. But really, at heart we feel we are non-mortals. And surprise! Our life is not as a result gladdened!