the quick and the dead

The phrase "the quick and the dead" is an idiom that refers to all living beings, both those who are fast or quick and those who are slow or dead. It typically implies that everyone, regardless of their current state, will eventually face a certain fate, which is death. The "quick" refers to the living, who are currently active and have the opportunity to experience life, while the "dead" refers to those who have already passed away and are no longer alive. This phrase is often used to emphasize the transient and inevitability of life and death.