Some are dismissed from life in the dawn of infancy; some…
““Some are dismissed from life in the dawn of infancy; some in the morning of childhood; others in the noon of youth. The sands of some are continued longer; and a very few are permitted to see the night of what we generally term old age. Not a day, nor an hour; no, not a minute passes, wherein multitudes of all ages are not called away to stand before the holy Lord God. Death, that promiscuous reaper, pays no regard to years or station. The infant of a day, and the man of a century are alike to him; he mows the shooting blade and the mature stem: the growing and the grown unite to swell his harvest and augment his spoils. But is that which we term Death, the offspring of chance, or the result of accident? Surely, no. Death is a scythe! but if I may so speak, it is a scythe in the hand of God. Affliction, sickness, and dissolution, are messengers of His; which come not but at His command.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Death is portrayed as an impartial divine agent, harvesting all lives regardless of age or status, emphasizing life's fleeting nature and divine sovereignty over mortality.
In simple terms: Death is an unbiased, divine force that takes everyone.
Key Takeaway
Recognize life's brevity and live purposefully.
Themes
mortality
divine will
impermanence
equality
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
somber
reverent
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- ethical decision making
- grief counseling
- life planning
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in divine destiny affect coping with loss?
- What responsibilities arise from recognizing life's transience?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex causes of death, ignoring medical and social factors.