Gottfried von Straßburg book Tristan
Ine weiz, wie jener werden sol;
dirre tôt der tuot mir wol.
solte diu wunneclîche Isôt
iemer alsus sî mîn tôt,
sô wolte ich gerne werben
umbe ein êweclîchez sterben.
Source: Tristan, Line 12497
Gottfried von Straßburg book Tristan
Ine weiz, wie jener werden sol;
dirre tôt der tuot mir wol.
solte diu wunneclîche Isôt
iemer alsus sî mîn tôt,
sô wolte ich gerne werben
umbe ein êweclîchez sterben.
Source: Tristan, Line 12497
Michael Faraday (1791–1867) English scientist
Letter to Auguste de la Rive (1861), as quoted in The Philosopher's Tree : A Selection of Michael Faraday's Writings (1999) edited by Peter Day, p. 199
Context: I am, I hope, very thankful that in the withdrawal of the powers and things of life, the good hope is left with me, which makes the contemplation of death a comfort — not a fear. Such peace is alone the gift of God, and as it is He who gives it, why should we be afraid? His unspeakable gift in His beloved Son is the ground of no doubtful hope, and there is the rest for those who )like you and me) are drawing near the latter end of our terms here below. I do not know, however why I should join you with me in years. I forget your age, but this I know (and feel as well) that next Sabbath day (the 22nd) I shall complete my 70th year. I can hardly think myself so old as I write to you — so much of cheerful spirit, ease and general health is left to me, and if my memory fails, why it causes that I forget troubles as well as pleasure and the end is, I am happy and content.
“I am afraid. Not of life, or death, or nothingness, but of wasting it as if I had never been.”
Daniel Keyes book Flowers for Algernon
Source: Flowers for Algernon (1966)
“I am not a fate worse than death, dammit!”
Lois McMaster Bujold Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
Source: Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
“Death should take me while I am in the mood.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne book The Blithedale Romance
Source: The Blithedale Romance
“I only fear the death of others. For me, true death is that of the people I love”
Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager and filmmaker
“The only death I fear is dying ignorant.”
Steven Erikson book Gardens of the Moon
Source: Gardens of the Moon (1999), Chapter 4 (p. 125)