It is the divinity that stirs within us.—‘Tis heaven itself that points out an hereafter, and intimates eternity to man.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Immortality is not a gift, Immortality is an achievement; And only those who strive mightily Shall possess it.
—Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950) American Poet, Novelist
For them that think death’s honesty won’t fall upon them naturally life sometimes must get lonely.
—Bob Dylan (b.1941) American Singer-songwriter
When I die I shall be content to vanish into nothingness…. No show, however good, could conceivably be good forever…. I do not believe in immortality, and have no desire for it.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
The belief of a future state is a troublesome check on human passions, and one can never make libertines tranquil and resolute without having first made them unbelievers.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742) French Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
This world is like a road-side inn, but the world to come is like the real home.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
But thy eternal summer shall not fade.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
We are much better believers in immortality than we can give grounds for.—The real evidence is too subtle, or is higher than we can write down in propositions.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Deathlessness should be arrived at in a… haphazard fashion. Loving fame as much as any man, we shall carve our initials in the shell of a tortoise and turn him loose in a peat bog.
—E. B. White (1985–99) American Essayist, Humorist
As often as I hear of some undeserved wretchedness, my thoughts rest on that world where all will be made straight, and where the labors of sorrow will end in joy.
—Immanuel Hermann Fichte (1796–1879) German Philosopher
The spirit of man, which God inspired, cannot together perish with this corporeal clod.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
I feel my immortality o’ersweep all pains, all tears, all time, all fears, and like the eternal thunders of the deep, peal to my ears this truth—“Thou livest forever.”
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Without a belief in personal immortality religion is like an arch resting on one pillar, or like a bridge ending in an abyss.
—Max Muller (1823–1900) German-Born British Philologist, Orientalist
The grave is like a Melotian (silken) raiment for the pious man, who comes fully provided with provisions; the pious man can look upon the future life without fear, because he comes to the other world well prepared.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
To achieve great things we must live as though we were never going to die.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
What springs from earth dissolves to earth again, and heaven-born things fly to their native seat.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Not all the subtleties of metaphysics can make me doubt a moment of the immortality of the soul, and of a beneficent providence. I feel it, I believe it, I desire it, I hope it, and will defend it to my last breath.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
This world is an antechamber to the next.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Human life is too short to recompense the cares which attend the most private condition: therefore it is, that our souls are made, as it were, too big for it; and extend themselves in the prospect of a longer existence, in good fame, and memory of worthy actions, after our decease.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
On the imagination God sometimes paints, by dream and symbol, the likeness of things to come.—What the foolish-wise call fanaticism, belongs to the same part of us as hope.—Each is the yearning of the soul for the great “Beyond,” which attests our immortality.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Higher than the question of our duration is the question of our deserving. Immortality will come to such as are fit for it, and he would be a great soul in future must be a great soul now.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Man only of all earthly creatures, asks, “Can the dead die forever?” – and the instinct that urges the question is God’s answer to man, for no instinct is given in vain.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Faith in the hereafter is as necessary for the intellectual, as for the moral character; and to the man of letters, as well as the Christian, the present forms but the slightest portion of his existence.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Do not believe yourself healthy. Immortality is health; this life is a long sickness.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
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 Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Immortality is the condition of a dead man who doesn’t believe he is dead
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Matter immortal? and shall spirit die?—
Above the nobler, shall less nobler rise?
Shall man alone, for whom all else revives,
no resurrection know? Shall man alone,
Imperial man! Be sown in barren ground,
Less privileg’d than grain, on which he feeds?
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
The old, old fashion—death! Oh, thank God, all who see it, for that older fashion yet—of immortality!
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
The best argument I know for an immortal life is the existence of a man who deserves one.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Man, as long as he lives, is immortal. One minute before his death he shall be immortal. But one minute later, God wins.
—Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) Romanian-born American Writer, Professor, Political Activist