5 Quotes About Death That Remind Us to Live
It’s all about embracing the challenge and enjoying the moments.
Ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated with the concept of death. My first journals from my adolescent years are full of poems and sayings about the meaning of life.
As a child, when I tried to grapple with concepts such as the size of our planet, galaxy, and universe, I could only find comfort and meaning in words. I would write, read and listen and try to figure out what this whole living thing was all about.
Decades later, the same holds true. I am continually drawn to concepts of life, death, and meaning, and I am continually comforted by words of those who are similarly trying to live full lives of meaning.
The unknown and the unanswerable questions have never been something that I have feared, but rather something that has gotten me thinking, philosophizing, and, eventually, finding meaning in life. The very concept of death alone has actually motivated me to enjoy each moment and to remember that our time here is finite and relatively short.
Some of my favorite quotes about death contain thoughts that have shaped my own thinking and helped me to find continual beauty and passion for living.
1. “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” — Mark Twain
This quote by Twain is a simple and straightforward reminder: If we live and if we take advantage of each day, then we have nothing to fear. We will have been living so fully that death is not something we need to fear.
Forget about all of the things that you still want to say and do in the future and instead make the most of each day right now.
2. “A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”— Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu’s words remind us that it is brave to live fully. Be authentic, passionate, and courageous with each day that you have.
It is easy to simply let the days pass as we await some event or remain stuck in the past.
Instead, be here right now, living your fullest, best life. That is inner courage — living with authenticity and passion.
3. “Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time… It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.”— Leo Buscaglia
This quote has been very powerful in my life. Because I was so tapped into the concept of death from a very young age, I knew to always tell my loved ones how much I cared for them. I expressed my love every chance I had. So, when my dad died suddenly at 52 years old, I never had to wonder if he knew how much I loved him.
At just 21 years old, I had already been blessed with the ability to appreciate what I had and the knowledge to express my love and gratitude on a regular basis. It was my very interest in our unpredictable time here on earth that gave me the tools to express my love regularly and, thus, have no regrets.
4. “That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet.” — Emily Dickinson
Another sudden and devastating experience I had with death was when my best friend died at the age of just 32. In my overwhelming grief, I cried to a wise and poetic friend who told me that it is death that makes life beautiful.
His words were so different from any I had been hearing, and I was so grateful for his unique philosophy.
As Dickinson says and as he reminded me: It is the fact that we have just this one life that makes it so special. Without death, we might not know how to see all of life’s sweetness.
5. “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”— Hunter S. Thompson
Well, you can count on Hunter S. Thompson to provide us with a colorful quote about life and death. I love his words that encourage us to go all out and live life in a big way.
Forget about always making the careful, right, safe move and instead be brave, unique, and not consumed with what others think of you. Live your days in a big way, celebrating the opportunity to do so each day.
The Greatest Minds Seem to Agree
From famous authors to well-known philosophers, the theme amongst their cumulative wisdom is to live fully and authentically in order to have no regrets and no fear about death. Instead of living as if you have so much time and instead of fearing death and the unknown, simply live in a big, full, authentic way.
Do not wait for tomorrow. Do not live in the past. Just be here, right now, living your life moment by moment.
Find the beauty in each moment, and remember that there is even beauty in death as it reminds us to live.
