How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
This painting gave me a last warning: there was still time, I could retrace my steps. But if I were to turn a deaf ear, I had been forewarned. (21.7)
While looking at the painting of the dead bachelor, Antoine knows that he's being warned against remaining single. The painting is basically telling him to get married and have kids if he plans on having anyone mourn for him when he dies. According to Antoine, though, it doesn't matter either way, since you stop existing once you're dead, and there's no point in caring about whether people mourn for you.