“Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.”

“Here at last
We shall be free;
the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.”

John Milton (1608–1674) English epic poet

“"Milton was right," said my Teacher. "The choice of every lost soul can be expressed in the words 'Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven.' There is always something they insist on keeping even at the price of misery."”

Clive Staples Lewis book The Great Divorce

“This country … abounds in that Cuba is a heaven in the spiritual sense of the word, and we prefer to die in heaven than serve in hell.”

Fidel Castro (1926–2016) former First Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Cuba

“After all, is not a real Hell better than a manufactured Heaven?”

E.M. Forster book Maurice

“In case you were wondering, it is preferable to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven—I’ve done both.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Heavenly Fire

“There is nothing frightening about an eternal dreamless sleep. Surely it is better than eternal torment in Hell and eternal boredom in Heaven.”

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, known for his works of science fiction …

“"Is he in heaven? Is he in hell?"
"There is no heaven. There is no hell."
"There is no heaven? There is no hell?"
"That's all in your mind."”

Joseph Heller book God Knows

“When an evil masochist dies, does he go to hell, or would heaven be a better punishment?”

Steven Wright (1955) American actor and author

“If warm air rises, Heaven could be hotter than Hell.”

Steven Wright (1955) American actor and author