Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to…
“Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to keep alive.”
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.
Accept death as natural, avoid over‑protecting life.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- funeral rites
- medical ethics
- personal contemplation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “strive officiously” mean?
- How to balance preservation and acceptance?
It may be misinterpreted as endorsing neglect.