John Donne Quotes

Then die. We must all do that. But die, as they say, game.

I've looked that old scoundrel death in the eye many times but this time I think he has me on the ropes.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.

I have no fear of death. We all die. I consider my remaining days to be like money in the bank. When it is all gone, I will be repossessed.

I have wrestled with death. It is the most unexciting contest you can imagine.

Taunting Death ... means pitting oneself against a wily enemy who cannot lose.

Death is the ultimate enemy - and I find nothing reproachable in those who rage mightily against the dying of the light.

Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.

A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist.

There's no point thinking about dying, because it's going to happen anyway, isn't it? I don't waste my time worrying about that.

Against you I will fling myself, unvanquished and unyielding, O Death!

I am very happy, Jane; and when you hear that I am dead, you must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about. We all must die one day, and the illness which is removing me is not painful; it is gentle and gradual: my mind is at rest. I leave no one to regret me much: I have only a father; and he is lately married, and will not miss me. By dying young, I shall escape great sufferings. I had not qualities or talents to make my way very well in the world: I should have been continually at fault.

The dying man doesn't struggle much and he isn't much afraid. As his alkalies give out he succumbs to a blest stupidity. His mindfogs. His will power vanishes. He submits decently. He scarcely gives a damn.

Do not go gentle into the good night. Old age should burn and rage at close of day.

Many men on the point of an edifying death would be furious if they were suddenly restored to health.

We do not know where death awaits us: so let us wait for it everywhere. To practice death is to practice freedom. A man who has learned how to die has unlearned how to be a slave.

Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.

It is thus, if there is any rule, that we ought to die--neither as victim nor as fanatic, but as the seafarer who can greet with an equal eye the deep that he is entering, and the shore that he must leave.

You have to learn to do everything, even to die.

Life is better than death. But death comes eventually to everyone. It is something which many in their prime may prefer not to think about. But at 89, I see no point in avoiding the question. What concerns me is: How do I go? Will the end comes swiftly, with a stroke in one of the coronary arteries? Or will it be a stroke in the mind that lays me out in bed for months, semi-comatose? Of the two, I prefer the quick one.

There is but one freedom, to put oneself right with death. After that everything is possible.

Never fear Death for you will feel aroused by his sleep. Never cheat death or he will slap you with a sentence of misery for the defeat.

He will live ill who does not know how to die well.

Living, we fret. Dying, we live. I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll be of good cheer.