“But if you're a man who eats the crops of the earth,
a mortal born for death—here, come closer,
the sooner you will meet your day to die!”
VI. 142–143 (tr. Robert Fagles).
Iliad (c. 750 BC)
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Homér217
Ancient Greek epic poet, author of the Iliad and the OdysseyRelated quotes
“If you're born poor it's not your fault, but if you die poor it's your fault.”
Bill Gates (1955) American business magnate and philanthropist
Quoted in various publications, without any further sourcing. The quote is dubious in view of the Gates Foundation's public mission, "to lift people out of hunger and extreme poverty." Gates was born to an affluent family.
Misattributed
“There are two most powerful days in your life: the day you're born, and the day you discover why.”
Boniface Mwangi (1983) Kenyan photojournalist
The day I stood up alone
Context: There are two most powerful days in your life: the day you're born, and the day you discover why. That day standing up in that stadium shouting at the President, I discovered why I was truly born, that I would no longer be silent in the face of injustice.
John Lennon (1940–1980) English singer and songwriter
John Lennon, in "Instant Karma!" (written 27 January 1970)
Lyrics
Context: Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear
Why on Earth are you there
When you're everywhere
Gonna get your share Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
C'mon and on and on, on, on
Francesco Petrarca Il Canzoniere
Canzon, s'uom trovi in suo amor viver queto,<br>di': Muor' mentre se' lieto,<br>ché morte al tempo è non duol, ma refugio;<br>et chi ben pò morir, non cerchi indugio. <br class="br">Canzone 331, st. 6 ( tr. A. S. Kline http://petrarch.petersadlon.com/canzoniere.html?poem=331) <br class="br">Il Canzoniere (c. 1351–1353), To Laura in Death
Robert Fulghum book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Source: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Seneca the Younger book Epistulae morales ad Lucilium
Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium (Moral Letters to Lucilius), Letter XCVIX: On Consolation to the Bereaved
Walt Whitman (1819–1892) American poet, essayist and journalist
Memories of President Lincoln, 14
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
Gary Gilmore (1940–1977) American murderer; the first person executed in the United States after a ten year hiatus; the last person …
As quoted in The Book of Quotes (1979) by Barbara Rowes