Quotes and More

That Inspired Mementomorium's Vision and Philosophy

Famous Quotes:


“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard


“I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” ~Bernard Berenson


"Of all the footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness meditation, that on death is supreme." ~Buddha


"Analysis of death is not for the sake of becoming fearful but to appreciate this precious lifetime." ~ Dalai Lama


"For those of us who work in the field of hospice and palliative care, it can feel like you’re sitting on a secret…Sure it is loaded, emotionally laden work…But, you pretty quickly get a real sweet hit that paying attention to this zone of life is very nurturing. The secret is that paying attention to the fact that you die can help you live a lot better. My colleagues and I are very aware of the clock. We’re aware of our finitude and so, we’re just a little more likely to be kind to ourselves and others, and we’re a little less likely to squander that time." ~Dr. BJ Miller


"Do you then ponder how the supreme of human evils, the surest mark of the base and cowardly, is not death, but the fear of death? Discipline yourself against such fear, direct all your thinking, exercises, and reading this way—and you will know the only path to human freedom." ~Epictetus


“Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which cannot exist when I do?” ~Epicurus


“When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.” ~Henry David Thoreau


“The healthiest response to death is to love, honor, and celebrate life.” ~Ira Byock


“Death anxiety is greater in those who feel they have lived an unfulfilled life.” ~Irvin Yalom


"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think." ~Marcus Aurelius


"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." ~Oscar Wilde


"The idea that you’re gonna die and that life is short is only depressing if you’re thinking about it wrong. If you’re thinking about it right it should give you a sense of priority. It should even give you a sense of meaning; it should let you know what’s important, what you’re trying to do while you’re here on this planet." ~Ryan Holiday


“Once you accept your own death, all of a sudden you’re free to live.” ~Saul Alinsky


"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it... ...we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing." ~Seneca


"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." ~Steve Jobs


"There’s something coming for all of us. It’s called death. Rather than fearing it, it can become one of our greatest counselors. So, if this was the last week of your life, what would you cherish most? How would you live? How would you love? What truth would you tell today?" ~Tony Robbins


"Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough." ~William Saroyan


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