Skip to content

Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to…

“Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to keep alive.” quote by Arthur Hugh Clough
Download Open image
“Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to keep alive.”

Arthur Hugh Clough

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The line juxtaposes the command not to kill with the idea that we should not obsessively preserve life, urging a balanced view of mortality.

In simple terms: Don’t kill, but don’t cling to life obsessively.

Key Takeaway

Accept death as natural, avoid over‑protecting life.

Themes

ethics mortality philosophy balance

Mood

somber thoughtful

Type

philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

  • funeral rites
  • medical ethics
  • personal contemplation

Key Concepts

life death moderation existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “strive officiously” mean?
  • How to balance preservation and acceptance?
A Different Perspective

It may be misinterpreted as endorsing neglect.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Arthur Hugh Clough

Explore all 56 Arthur Hugh Clough quotes

More Alive quotes

Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes