"The tortures of present death disturb him not, but the recollection of his fall, fills him with a holy sorrow"

This quote by John Strachan encapsulates an extensive exploration of the human experience concerning mortality and the ethical self-questioning that frequently accompanies it. The expression "the tortures of present death disturb him not" recommends a sense of detachment or acceptance in the face of imminent death. It can be interpreted as an expression of calm or nerve in challenging the end of life, where physical discomfort or the literal elements of dying are not what trigger the best chaos.

The focus instead moves to "the recollection of his fall", suggesting a deep reflection on one's past mistakes or moral failures. Here, "fall" likely refers to a moral or ethical lapse, a divergence from one's worths or spiritual ideals. Making use of the word "recollection" implies an active engagement with memory, recommending that in the face of death, one is obliged to face and reconcile with past actions and decisions.

This recollection fills him with "a holy grief", a phrase laden with spiritual and emotional depth. "Holy" signifies something spiritual or linked to the divine, suggesting that the sorrow knowledgeable is not just a mundane regret, however one imbued with spiritual significance. This sadness is "holy" due to the fact that it is a genuine sensation of repentance, a recognition of one's failings in the bigger context of one's spiritual journey or ethical accountability.

Hence, the quote by John Strachan can be viewed as a meditation on the effect of conscience in the face of mortality. It highlights how the real battle at the end of life might not be with the physical truths of death, but rather with an internal numeration with one's ethical and spiritual self. The holy sadness emerging from this introspection is a testament to the extensive connection between the acknowledgment of one's imperfect humanity and the quest for redemption or understanding in a larger existential or divine context. In essence, Strachan recommends that real peace in facing death comes not from physical stoicism, however from an honest evaluation and reconciliation of the moral self.