When I died last, and, Dear, I die as often as from thee I go though it be but an hour ago and lovers hours be full eternity.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
Partir, c’est mourir un peu. (To leave is to die a little.)
—French Proverb
I always made an awkward bow.
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
We only part to meet again.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
Let the tent be struck.
—Robert E. Lee (1807–70) Confederate General during American Civil War
I don’t fell good.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
Come,
Let’s have one other gaudy night. Call to me
All my sad captains. Fill our bowls once more.
Let’s mock the midnight bell.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
And now, I am dying beyond my means. Sipping champagne on his deathbed.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Never say goodbye, say farewell.
—Anonymous
Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.
—J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973) British Scholar, Author
Lord, let me live until I die.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Every parting gives a foretaste of death; every coming together again a foretaste of the resurrection.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Turn up the lights. I don’t want to go home in the dark.
—O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) (1862–1910) American Writer of Short Stories
The best of it is, God is with us.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
What is the answer? [Silence] In that case, what is the question?
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer
Go away…I’m alright.
—H. G. Wells (1866–1946) English Novelist, Historian, Social Thinker
Friends applaud, the comedy is over.
—Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) German Composer, Musician
Let us not unman each other; part at once; all farewells should be sudden, when forever.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?
—Marie-Antoinette (1755–93) French Queen
Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need of hell.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and ladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith