"As virtuous men pass mildly away, and whisper to their souls to go, whilst some of their sad friends do say, the breath goes now, and some say no"
- John Donne
About this Quote
This quote by John Donne speaks to the idea of death and the unpredictability of what takes place after. The expression "virtuous men" indicates that the individual is of good character and has lived a life of stability. The expression "pass mildly away" recommends that the individual is dying quietly and without pain. The phrase "whisper to their souls to go" suggests that the individual is prepared to move on to the afterlife. The expression "sad friends do say" indicates that the person's friends are grieving their passing. The phrase "the breath goes now" indicates that the person has actually died. The phrase "some say no" suggests that some individuals are in rejection of the individual's death. This quote talks to the concept that death belongs of life which it is uncertain what happens after. It also talks to the concept that death can be peaceful which it can bring unhappiness to those left.
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