"I shall not die young, for I am already near seventy: I may die old"
- Laurence Housman
About this Quote
This quote by Laurence Housman is a reflection on the inevitability of death. Housman is acknowledging that he is currently in his seventies which death is a natural part of life. He is not afraid of death, but rather accepting of it. He is confident that he will not pass away young, as he is currently near seventy. He is likewise accepting of the reality that he may die old, as death is an inevitable part of life.
Housman's quote is a suggestion that death belongs of life and that it must not be feared. He is accepting of the truth that he may pass away old, and is not scared of the inevitability of death. He is likewise advising us that life is valuable and ought to be taken pleasure in while we can. We need to not hesitate of death, but rather accept it as a natural part of life.
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"Death is really a great blessing for humanity, without it there could be no real progress. People who lived for ever would not only hamper and discourage the young, but they would themselves lack sufficient stimulus to be creative"