Who said “The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man…”?

Verified

Denis Diderot. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceElements of Physiology (1875), "Death"

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.”
VerifiedElements of Physiology (1875), "Death" · evidenceDeath and Dying
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Elements of Physiology (1875), "Death".

APA

Diderot, D. (n.d.). The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12488-the-infant-runs-toward-it-with-its-eyes/

MLA

Diderot, Denis. “The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12488-the-infant-runs-toward-it-with-its-eyes/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Diderot, Denis. “The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12488-the-infant-runs-toward-it-with-its-eyes/.