"Each of us was unlucky to be born. No matter how wonderful life is, it carries harm, much more than many people realize, and therefore the fact of birth cannot be neglected. And although our existence is already irreversible, it is possible to prevent the emergence of new people This is why I believe that the issue of reproduction is a moral issue. In this book, I will defend my point of view, arguing that the typical objections of opponents (at best, skepticism, at worst, indignation) are unfounded."

On the book. “Better never to have been” is referenced by one of the masters of horror literature, Thomas Ligotti, in the book “The Conspiracy Against the Human Race.” Nic Pizzolatto, author of the TV series True Detective, included Benatar's name in the list of writers who influenced him the most.