death - quotes

Stephen (Butler) Leacock, 1869-1944

was a Canadian economist and humorist

I detest life-insurance agents; they always argue that I shall some day die, which is not so.

Sigmund Freud, 1856-1939

was an Austrian psychologist

If you want to endure life, prepare yourself for death.

Albert Camus, 1913-1960

was a French existentialist author and philosopher

I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living. I see others paradoxically gettin killed for the ideas or illusions that give them a reason for living (what is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying). I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions.

( “The Myth of Sisyphus”, 1942 )

Eric Hoffer, 1902-1983

was an American social writer and philosopher

We cannot be sure that we have something to live for unless we are ready to die for it.

Rabindranath Tagore, 1861-1941

was an Indian educator and Bengali poet

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

Eric Hoffer, 1902-1983

was an American social writer and philosopher

It is a sign of a creeping inner death when we no longer can praise the living.

George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950

was an Irish dramatist and socialist

Criminals do not die by the hands of the law. They die by the hands of other men.

William Shakespeare, 1564-1616

was an English poet and playwright

Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.

( “The Tempest”, Act 1 scene 2, ca 1611 )

Sigmund Freud, 1856-1939

was an Austrian psychologist

The goal of all life is death.

Oscar (Fingall O'Flahertie Wills) Wilde, 1854-1900

was an Irish dramatist, novelist, and poet

Alas, I am dying beyond my means.

( as he sipped champagne on his deathbed )

Robert (Lee) Frost, 1874-1963

was an American poet

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

( Poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, 1922 )

Elbert (Green) Hubbard, 1856-1915

was an US author

Death: To stop sinning suddenly.

(Lloyd) Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865-1946

was an American-born essayist and critic

I cannot forgive my friends for dying; I do not find these vanishing acts of theirs at all amusing.

( “Afterthoughts”, “Age and Death”, 1931 )

Samuel Goldwyn, 1879-1974

was an US (Polish-born) movie producer

If I could drop dead right now, I'd be the happiest man alive.

John Keble, 1792-1866

was an English churchman and poet

Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I cannot live:
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without Thee I dare not die.

( “The Christian Year: Evening”, 1827 )