One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has.

Summary

This quote highlights the inherent human desire for longevity and the perpetuation of life. It suggests that having children is rooted in the hope that they will carry on one's legacy and outlive oneself. It compares this instinct to the act of planting a tree or building a house, both done with the intention of creating something that will endure beyond one's own existence. Ultimately, it implies that the survival and success of the human species can be attributed to this inherent drive for generational continuity.

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