From our newsletter Outside the Lines

Don’t take my word for it

Smart folks thinking out loud about death.

“Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?”
- Pema Chodron, Buddhist nun

“Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!
-Y.B. Yeats, Irish poet

“Don’t be afraid of death so much as an inadequate life.”
- Bertholt Brecht, German playwright

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”
- source unknown (attributed to both ancient Sanskrit and Native American saying)

“Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honours depend upon heaven.”
- Confucius, Chinese philosopher

“Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time.”
- George Carlin, American comedian

“Birth was the death of him.”
- Samuel Beckett, Irish author

“I got well by talking. Death could not get a word in edgewise, grew discouraged, and traveled on.”
- Louise Erdrich, Native American author