Alas, how easily things go wrong! A sigh too much, a kiss too long And there follows a mist and a weeping rain And life is never the same again
George MacdonaldRead
Many a life has been injured by the constant expectation of death. It is life we have to do with, not death. The best preparation for the night is to work diligently while the day lasts. The best preparation for death is life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life should be valued and lived fully, rather than being overshadowed by the fear of death.
This quote emphasizes the importance of focusing on life and its opportunities rather than being preoccupied with the inevitability of death. George Macdonald suggests that to prepare for the end, one must dedicate energy and diligence to living fully and meaningfully during one's lifetime. The essence of living well stands as the ultimate preparation for death, allowing one to embrace life rather than fear its conclusion.
Themes
LifeDeathPreparationDiligenceLiving
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a motivational speech about living life fully.
More from George Macdonald
All quotes βIt is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.
George MacdonaldRead
He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition.
George MacdonaldRead
When I can no more stir my soul to move, and life is but the ashes of a fire; when I can but remember that my heart once used to live and love, long and aspire- O, be thou then the first, the one thou art; be thou the calling, before all answering love, and in me wake hope, fear, boundless desire.
George MacdonaldRead
But words are vain; reject them allβ They utter but a feeble part: Hear thou the depths from which they call, The voiceless longing of my heart.
George MacdonaldRead
Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.
George MacdonaldRead
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