O why doe wretched men so much desire, To draw their dayes…
““O why doe wretched men so much desire, To draw their dayes vnto the vtmost date, And doe not rather wish them soone expire, Knowing the miserie of their estate, And thousand perills which them still awate, Tossing them like a boate amid the mayne, That euery houre they knocke at deathes gate? And he that happie seemes and least in payne, Yet is as nigh his end, as he that most doth playne.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often wish for a longer life despite suffering, yet death comes to all regardless of wealth or happiness.
In simple terms: Desire for life persists even in misery; death is inevitable.
Key Takeaway
Accept mortality and seek meaning now.
Themes
mortality
desire
inevitability
human suffering
wealth
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elder care
- palliative care
- life‑review therapy
- philosophical counseling
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
philosophy of death
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a meaningful life look like for you?
- How can you balance desire for longevity with present fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize suffering without addressing its causes.