Context

This line is written in Genesis 3:19, a book often attributed to Moses.

So Adam and Eve have just eaten the forbidden fruit (whoopsy-daisy), and God's telling them what's gonna happen now, including the whole death thing. You start as dust and end as dust… everything comes full circle.

Where you've heard it

This quote comes up a lot at funerals. No surprise there. It might also be used when you're sitting around with your friends on a Friday night, contemplating the futility of this mortal sojourn. Whoa. Existential, bro.

Classic rock ballad "Dust in the Wind " by Kansas is based on this quote. Kansas is a dusty place…

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Could be kind of pretentious, unless you're a priest or something.