“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

— Jack London

The quote "The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying …" is famous quote by Jack London (1876–1916), American author, journalist, and social activist.

Variant: "I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." also mentioned as Jack London quote in Ian Fleming book You Only Live Twice (1964), Ch. 21 : Orbit
Source: San Francisco Bulletin in 1916. Also included as an introduction to a compilation of Jack London short stories in 1956.

Last update Sept. 23, 2023. History

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Jack London 77

American author, journalist, and social activist 1876–1916

Related quotes

“I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Ian Fleming book You Only Live Twice

Source: You Only Live Twice (1964), Ch. 21 : Orbit. Fleming is quoting Jack London directly.

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Jack London (1876–1916) American author, journalist, and social activist

The Bulletin, San Francisco, California, December 2, 1916, part 2, p. 1.
Also included in Jack London’s Tales of Adventure, ed. Irving Shepard, Introduction, p. vii (1956)

“O people, the first day is difficult but if I live I shall deliver a proper speech.”

Uthman (574–656) Companion of Muhammad and third Rashidun Caliph

After assuming the office of Caliph, Uthman's first address was as follows, quoted in Al-ʿIqd al-Farīd, also quoted in Khalifah Uthman ibn Affan, p.34/35

“If I die in Atlanta my work shall then only begin, but I shall live, in the physical or spiritual to see the day of Africa’s glory.”

Marcus Garvey (1887–1940) Jamaica-born British political activist, Pan-Africanist, orator, and entrepreneur

Source: Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey

“Tonight, she went into the woods, and I fear she shall live in the woods of my soul for the rest of my days.”

Libba Bray A Great and Terrible Beauty

Source: A Great and Terrible Beauty

“Now the creed to which I subscribe is like a battle cry, engraved on my heart - the Credo of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Before, in those former times, I could say, "I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be" (Job 7:21). Now I can say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see God. Whom I myself shall see and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this my hope is laid up in my bosom" (Job 19:25-27).”

Dorothy Day (1897–1980) Social activist

From Union Square to Rome (1938), p. 145

“I have existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end.”

Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese artist, poet, and writer

The Anthem of Humanity
The Vision: Reflections on the Way of the Soul (1994)
Context: I have existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end.
I soared into limitless space and took wing in the imaginal world, approaching the circle of exalted light; and here I am now, mired in matter.
I listened to the teachings of Confucius, imbibed the wisdom of Brahma, and sat beside Buddha beneath the tree of insight. And now I am here, wrestling with ignorance and unbelief. I was on Sinai when Yahweh shed his effulgence on Moses; at the River Jordan I witnessed the miracles of the Nazarene; and in Medina I heard the words of the Messenger to the Arabs. And here I am now, a captive of confusion.