If you wish to make a man look noble, your best course is to kill him. What superiority he may have inherited from his race, what superiority nature may have personally gifted him with, comes out in death.

In this quote, "If you wish to make a man look noble, your best course is to kill him. What superiority he may have inherited from his race, what superiority nature may have personally gifted him with, comes out in death," Alexander Smith suggests that death has the ability to elevate a person's image in the eyes of others. The idea here is that a person’s true nobility—whether it be from heritage, talent, or inherent qualities—becomes more apparent once they have passed. Death strips away the flaws and imperfections of life, often leading to a romanticized or idealized memory of the individual.

Smith implies that in death, a person becomes more legendary, as their virtues are magnified and their weaknesses forgotten. This process often happens posthumously, where the legacy of the deceased is shaped by the ideals and perceptions of those left behind. It suggests that death has a unique power to preserve a person's greatness, as people often focus on the positive traits of the deceased, elevating them to a noble status they may not have held during their lifetime.

The reference to race and natural superiority indicates that Smith is addressing the complex ways in which social and cultural biases can affect how people are viewed. These biases often become amplified after a person’s death, with some historical figures being romanticized or reinterpreted through the lens of their legacy rather than their real-life actions. The quote raises questions about the idealization of individuals after death and how societal views of nobility and virtue can change over time.

Alexander Smith, a Scottish poet and essayist, often explored themes of death, legacy, and human nature in his works. This quote reflects his contemplation on the ways death shapes the narrative of an individual's life, especially in how they are remembered. By suggesting that death can make a person appear more noble, Smith encourages reflection on the tension between a person's life and the perception of their legacy after death.