Men are but children of a larger growth, Our appetites as apt to change as theirs, And full as craving too, and full as vain.
John DrydenRead
Death in itself is nothing; but we fear to be we know not what, we know not where.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Death is a natural part of life, but the uncertainty surrounding it causes fear.
In this quote, John Dryden expresses that death itself is not inherently fearful; rather, it is the unknown aspects of death—the mystery of what comes after—that instills fear in people. This reflection encourages individuals to confront the uncertainties of death, suggesting that the fear lies more in the lack of understanding than in death itself.
Themes
DeathFearUnknownLifePhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on existentialism, one might quote this to highlight human fears surrounding mortality.
More from John Dryden
All quotes →Of no distemper, of no blast he died, _x000D_ But fell like autumn fruit that mellow'd long: _x000D_ Even wonder'd at, because he dropp'd no sooner. _x000D_ Fate seem'd to wind him up for fourscore years; _x000D_ Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more; _x000D_ Till like a clock worn out with eating time, _x000D_ The wheels of weary life at last stood still.
John DrydenRead
Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?
John DrydenRead
Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.
John DrydenRead
Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.
John DrydenRead
And write whatever Time shall bring to pass_x000D_ _x000D_ With pens of adamant on plates of brass.
John DrydenRead
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