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Our birth is nothing but our death begun, As tapers waste the moment they take fire.
Edward Young
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Life begins with the inevitability of death, highlighting the transient nature of existence.

Edward Young's quote suggests that the moment we are born, we also begin our journey towards death. It implies that life is a fleeting experience, comparable to a candle burning down as it gives light; thus, our existence is precious but ephemeral, reminding us to cherish every moment as we inevitably move towards our end.

Themes

LifeDeathExistenceTransiencePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a eulogy, to emphasize the importance of living life fully.

More from Edward Young

Still seems it strange, that thou shouldst live forever? Is it less strange, that thou shouldst live at all? This is a miracle; and that no more.
Edward YoungRead

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Quote by Edward Young | QuoteProject