Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
John DonneRead
One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And Death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the concept of death and the eternal nature of life beyond it.
John Donne's quote contemplates mortality and the afterlife, suggesting that death is merely a transition rather than an end. The imagery of a 'short sleep' indicates that life continues in a different form, and ultimately, death itself will be conquered, leading to a profound existence beyond the physical world.
Themes
DeathEternityLifeMortalityAfterlife
In practice
Example use cases
In a eulogy, you might use this quote to comfort the grieving by emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul.
More from John Donne
All quotes βReason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right, By these we reach divinity
John DonneRead
All occasions invite His mercies, and all times are His seasons.
John DonneRead
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
John DonneRead
Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
John DonneRead
I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.
John DonneRead
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