This quote suggests that when people pass away, their true essence or intentions are often misunderstood or misrepresented. However, their words or ideas can become more influential or widely heard. The first part of the quote, “are understood worse than men of the moment,” implies that when someone is alive, their actions and words can be seen in the context of their personality, their environment, and their time. After death, however, that context is lost, and their actions and words can be misinterpreted or distorted.

The second part of the quote, “but heard better,” suggests that when a person dies, their words and ideas can gain more attention or respect. This could be due to a variety of factors: the person may have been a controversial figure in their lifetime, and their death allows for a re-evaluation of their ideas; or the person’s ideas may have been ahead of their time, and only gain widespread acceptance after their death.

In today’s world, this idea can be seen in the way we treat the works of artists, writers, and thinkers who were not fully appreciated during their lifetimes, but whose influence grew after their death. For example, the paintings of Vincent van Gogh were largely ignored during his lifetime, but are now some of the most celebrated and valuable in the world.

In terms of personal development, this quote could be a reminder to value and listen to the people around us while they are still alive. It suggests that we often don’t fully appreciate the wisdom and insights of others until they are gone. It could also be a call to not be deterred by lack of recognition or understanding in the present, as our ideas and contributions may be better appreciated in the future.