“We think of mortality so little these days…
I thought of the stern Victorian determination to keep death in mind, the uncompromising tombstones.
Remember, pilgrim, as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I:
As I am so will you be…”

—  Tana French, In the Woods

Source: In the Woods

Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "We think of mortality so little these days… I thought of the stern Victorian determination to keep death in mind, the u…" by Tana French?
Tana French photo
Tana French29
Irish writer and actor 1973

Related quotes

E.E. Cummings photo

“You have played,
(I think)
And broke the toys you were fondest of,
And are a little tired now;
Tired of things that break, and—
Just tired.
So am I.”

E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) American poet

Bertie Ahern photo

“I continued the arrangement, so whatever was on my mind, and the reason I probably can't give you a better reflection of what I was doing on the 19th of January is because I didn't do it. I am sure there are some mornings you get up and you think I might do this or I might do that and then you don't do them so, its hard to remember.”

Bertie Ahern (1951) Irish politician, 10th Taoiseach of Ireland

At the Mahon Tribunal on 20 September 2007. Planning Tribunal Transcript http://www.planningtribunal.ie/images/SITECONTENT_738.pdf planningtribunal.ie. 2007-09-20.

“We have an hour before we have to leave," Cray said. "So I thought I might tell you a little about myself. I thought it might pass the time."

"I'm not really all that interested," Alex said.”

Anthony Horowitz book Eagle Strike

Source: Eagle Strike

Cassandra Clare photo

“Bright star,” Magnus said, and his eyes were thoughtful, as if he were remembering something, or someone. “Those of you who are mortal, you burn so fiercely. And you fiercer than most, Will. I will not ever forget you.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Princess

Source: Clockwork Princess

“Raven: So Alexander, now we know what we do all day. What do you do? Alexander: I spend it thinking about you.”

Ellen Schreiber (1967) American writer

Variant: Raven: So Alexander, now we know what we do all day. What do you do?
Alexander: I spend it thinking about you.
Source: Love Bites

“First you say I am a murderer - an agent in league against you - and now I am a deluded heartsick girl! Pray make up your mind so I can scoff at you with precision!”

Gordon Dahlquist (1961) American writer

Source: The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, Volume Two

“So one of the questions I think Jesus is going to ask us on judgment day is not have we lived a good life, and not just have we lived the Gospel, he's going to ask us "Who have you made a disciple of in My name?" So that becomes the question for me and for you, who am I discipling right now?”

Louis Frederick Kihneman (1952) American prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1952)

Source: Make disciples of all men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9rEbitrSPM (July 18, 2020)

Sarah Dessen photo

“It takes so little to change everything. If you really thought about it, it would scare you to death.”

Sarah Dessen book The Moon and More

Source: The Moon and More

John Steinbeck photo

“It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world.”

John Steinbeck book East of Eden

Source: East of Eden (1952)
Context: When a man comes to die, no matter what his talents and influence and genius, if he dies unloved his life must be a failure to him and his dying a cold horror. It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world.
We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.
Context: In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of frailty men want to be good and want to be loved. Indeed, most of their vices are attempted short cuts to love. When a man comes to die, no matter what his talents and influence and genius, if he dies unloved his life must be a failure to him and his dying a cold horror. It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world.
We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.

Related topics