The water you touch in a river is the last of that which has passed, and the first of that which is coming. Thus it is with time present. Life, if well spent, is long.

Let us beware of saying that death is the opposite of life. The living being is only a species of the dead, and a very rare species.

Strength is life, Weakness is death.

Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death, the most exalted object which we are capable of conceiving, namely, the production of the higher animals, directly follows. There is grandeur in this view of life.

I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.

Just as a well-filled day brings blessed sleep, so a well-employed life brings a blessed death.