“Before I became old I tried to live well; now that I am old, I shall try to die well; but dying well means dying gladly.”

“Why am I fighting to live,
If I am just living to fight
Why am I trying to see.
When there aint nothing in sight
Why am I trying to give,
When no one gives me a try
Why am I dying to live,
If I am just living to die?”

“You must have something new in a landscape as well as something old, something that's dying and something that's being born.”

“For you was I born, for you do I have life, for you will I die, for you am I now dying.”

“I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon. (his last words)”

“I'm not scared of dying
And I, don't really care
If it' s peace you find in dying
Well then, let the time be near.”

“By dying young, I shall escape great sufferings. I had not qualities or talents to make my way very well in the world: I should have been continually at fault.”

“Leave well — even 'pretty well' — alone: that is what I learn as I get old.”

“The dead might as well try to speak to the living as the old to the young.”

“Frequently I am asked if I will take my life when I have a terminal illness. My answer is: "I'll wait and see." If my dying is bearable, the pain well managed, and my self-control and dignity are not damaged, then I shall hang on and die naturally. But if I am one of the unlucky few who suffer abysmally, then I shall make a quick exit. This book is intended for readers who think much the same as me.”