Anita Brookner Quotes

I don't want to die an old lady.

You know, I don't mind dying. The thing that pisses me off is that I won't get to be an old man. I was looking forward to that.

Death doesn't frighten me; now I can think peacefully of ending a long life.

We usually say of ancient persons, that they have already one foot in the grave, and the rest of their life is nothing else but the bringing of these feet together.

You feel a sense of urgency, especially at my advanced age, when you're staring into the grave.

We have been so successful in the past century at the art of living longer and staying alive that we have forgotten how to die. Too often we learn the hard way. As soon as the baby boomers pass pensionable age, their lesson will be harsher still.

I tend not to think about living to some grand old age. Then again, I don't think about dying, either.

Retiring is getting ready to die.

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Of course, it's no fun getting old and getting sick and dying; we all know that's coming, and it's a bore.

My next book's title is going to be, 'I Have One Foot in the Grave and Another on a Banana Peel.'

I have no desire to be a centenarian. I think 90 is a great time. You've had a good innings. You have to deal with the cards that have been dealt, of course, but I don't think very old age, if you haven't got your marbles, can be very nice.

When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near.

It matters not how long we live but how.

Better to live or die, once and for all, than die by inches.

Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people seek it.

What we know for sure from our work and from others' is that mice have a life span of 1,000 days, dogs have 5,000 days, and we humans have 29,000 days. Recognizing that the duration is limited, and aging is inevitable, focus the attention on enhancing the quality of the days you have.

It's paradoxical, that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone.

Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.

What will I be doing in twenty years' time? I'll be dead, darling! Are you crazy?

Now people live into their 90s and beyond. As long as I have quality of life, I'm good.

I know my life is nearing its end and I accept that.

When you think about it, the end of the world is a little bit like death: We all know it's going to come eventually, and as we get older, we feel we see the signs more and more distinctly.

No one longs to live more than someone growing old.

Both individual fulfillment and the ecological balance of life on this planet are best served by dying when our inherent biology decrees that we do.