--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Have an earnestness for death and you…" description: "\"Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.\" — Abu Bakr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg" --- # Have an earnestness for death and you will have life. ![“Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.” quote by Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg) > “Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.” [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embracing mortality with sincerity leads to a fuller, more meaningful existence. **In simple terms:** Taking death seriously makes life richer. Key Takeaway Live fully by acknowledging life's fragility. Themes mortality mindfulness purpose Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily gratitude - risk‑taking - legacy planning Key Concepts existential awareness spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What does “earnestness for death” mean to you? - How can this mindset improve daily choices? A Different Perspective Focusing on death can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [Death is not earnest in the same way the eternal is. To the earnestness of death belongs precisely that remarkable capacity for awakening, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/death-is-not-earnest-in-the-same-way-the-eternal-is-to-the/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [The greatest mystery in life is not life itself, but death. Death is the culmination of life, the ultimate blossoming of life. In death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-greatest-mystery-in-life-is-not-life-itself-but-death-death-is/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [He who does not want to die should not want to live. For life is tendered to us with the proviso of death. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/he-who-does-not-want-to-die-should-not-want-to-live-for-life-is/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [There is no occasion for our rejoicing at a foe's death, because our own life will also not last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/there-is-no-occasion-for-our-rejoicing-at-a-foe-s-death-because-our/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [“You know what?” he said with great earnestness. “I think we’re both afraid of the same thing. And for the same reason. We’ve never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bowles/you-know-what-he-said-with-great-earnestness-i-think-we-re-both/) [Paul Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bowles/) > [For me, earnestness is the greatest crime an Englishman can commit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grayson-perry/for-me-earnestness-is-the-greatest-crime-an-englishman-can-commit/) [Grayson Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grayson-perry/) > [ \[Ridicule\] laughs at all those who see the earnestness of life and who still believe in true feelings and in serious thought ... It… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-de-stael/ridicule-laughs-at-all-those-who-see-the-earnestness-of-life-and-who/) [Madame de Stael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-de-stael/) > [The cynic makes fun of all earnestness; he makes fun of everything and everyone who feels that something can be done. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edgar-vincent/the-cynic-makes-fun-of-all-earnestness-he-makes-fun-of-everything-and/) George Edgar Vincent > [This world is given as a prize for the men in earnest; and that which is true of this world is truer still of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/this-world-is-given-as-a-prize-for-the-men-in-earnest-and-that-which/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Earnestness alone makes life eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/earnestness-alone-makes-life-eternity/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [For me and my entire generation, we took on this kind of sarcastic, ironic, snarkiness because it seemed the most extreme reaction to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/for-me-and-my-entire-generation-we-took-on-this-kind-of-sarcastic/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“It is no use to ask God with factitious earnestness for A when our whole mind is in reality filled with the desire for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/it-is-no-use-to-ask-god-with-factitious-earnestness-for-a-when-our/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [Earnestness and sincerity are synonymous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corita-kent/earnestness-and-sincerity-are-synonymous/) [Corita Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corita-kent/) > [We want to know not how we should pray if we were perfect but how we should pray being as we now are ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/we-want-to-know-not-how-we-should-pray-if-we-were-perfect-but-how-we/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Search and you will find that at the base and birth of every great business organization was an enthusiast, man consumed with earnestness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/search-and-you-will-find-that-at-the-base-and-birth-of-every-great/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) ## More by Abu Bakr > [If you want to control other people, first control yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/if-you-want-to-control-other-people-first-control-yourself/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [He who is not impressed by sound advice, lacks faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/he-who-is-not-impressed-by-sound-advice-lacks-faith/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [He who comes to take the love of God can have no taste for the love of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/he-who-comes-to-take-the-love-of-god-can-have-no-taste-for-the-love/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [There is greatness in the fear of God, contentment in faith of God, and honor in humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/there-is-greatness-in-the-fear-of-god-contentment-in-faith-of-god-and/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [God helps those who fear Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/god-helps-those-who-fear-him/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [Maybe a thing that you do not like is really in your interest. It is possible that a thing that you may desire may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/maybe-a-thing-that-you-do-not-like-is-really-in-your-interest-it-is/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [If anybody seeks your advice, offer right and sincere advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/if-anybody-seeks-your-advice-offer-right-and-sincere-advice/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [Knowledge is the life of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/knowledge-is-the-life-of-the-mind/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [Muslims should live like brothers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/muslims-should-live-like-brothers/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [He who indulges in falsehood will find the paths of paradise shut to him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/he-who-indulges-in-falsehood-will-find-the-paths-of-paradise-shut-to/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [A Man who is Shy and Modest, is An Amazing Character, but a Women who is Shy and Modest is Beyond Amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/a-man-who-is-shy-and-modest-is-an-amazing-character-but-a-women-who/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [He who becomes a Muslim does so in his own interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/he-who-becomes-a-muslim-does-so-in-his-own-interest/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [O man you are busy working for the world, and the world is busy trying to turn you out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/o-man-you-are-busy-working-for-the-world-and-the-world-is-busy-trying/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [Do not follow vain desires; for verily he who prospers is preserved from lust, greed and anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/do-not-follow-vain-desires-for-verily-he-who-prospers-is-preserved/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) > [Pride in the case of a rich man is bad, but pride in the case of a poor man is worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/pride-in-the-case-of-a-rich-man-is-bad-but-pride-in-the-case-of-a/) [Abu Bakr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) [Explore all 61 Abu Bakr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abu Bakr" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-will-have-life/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-will-have-life/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/abu-bakr-11186_death_have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-wi_576138.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Have an earnestness for death and you will have life.” — Abu Bakr", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abu Bakr", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-bakr/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Have an earnestness for death and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-will-have-life/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-bakr/have-an-earnestness-for-death-and-you-will-have-life/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```