---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I want to go when I want. It is tasteless…"
description: "\"I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.\" — Albert Einstein"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg"
---

#  I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life…

![“I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg)

> “I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

## About This Quote

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

Expresses desire for a dignified, natural end, rejecting artificial life extension.

**In simple terms:** Choose a graceful, natural death.

Key Takeaway

Live fully, die with dignity.

Themes

mortality autonomy ethical living

Mood

thoughtful somber

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- end‑of‑life decisions
- healthcare planning
- personal values

Key Concepts

life extension existential choice

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you define a meaningful life?
- What legacy do you wish to leave?

A Different Perspective

Societal pressure may conflict with personal wishes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Prolong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prolong/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“It seems sort of unnecessary to prolong my life but I guess they can’t just let me die. I’m sure there would be paperwork.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-russell/it-seems-sort-of-unnecessary-to-prolong-my-life-but-i-guess-they-can/)

[Kimberly Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-russell/)

> [“She will prolong her life by the length of her story, even though time will wear on inexorably as she tells it, thus depriving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elfriede-jelinek/she-will-prolong-her-life-by-the-length-of-her-story-even-though-time/)

[Elfriede Jelinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elfriede-jelinek/)

> [Modern science &amp; doctors can do a great deal to prolong life. The life span is lengthening, but that is merely postponing the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/modern-science-doctors-can-do-a-great-deal-to-prolong-life-the-life/)

Pacifiersucker

> [Most of the debate over the cultures of death and life is about process. The debate focuses on the technology available to determine how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-fields/most-of-the-debate-over-the-cultures-of-death-and-life-is-about/)

[Suzanne Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-fields/)

> [He who must expend his life to prolong life cannot enjoy it, and he who is still seeking for his life does not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-stirner/he-who-must-expend-his-life-to-prolong-life-cannot-enjoy-it-and-he/)

[Max Stirner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-stirner/)

> [The foods that prolong life and increase purity, vigour, health, cheerfulness, and happiness are those that are delicious, soothing, substantial and agreeable... Foods that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/the-foods-that-prolong-life-and-increase-purity-vigour-health/)

[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/)

> [This is a steady, ceaseless process, impossible to contain as long as the economy driven by the endless accumulation of capital. The system may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-wallerstein/this-is-a-steady-ceaseless-process-impossible-to-contain-as-long-as/)

[Immanuel Wallerstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-wallerstein/)

> [They proved that if you quit smoking, it will prolong your life. What they haven't proved is that a prolonged life is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/they-proved-that-if-you-quit-smoking-it-will-prolong-your-life-what/)

[Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/)

> [Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life and give hope for life to millions of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ramstad/embryonic-stem-cell-research-will-prolong-life-improve-life-and-give/)

[Jim Ramstad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ramstad/)

> [The prime goal is to alleviate suffering, and not to prolong life. And if your treatment does not alleviate suffering, but only prolongs life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiaan-barnard/the-prime-goal-is-to-alleviate-suffering-and-not-to-prolong-life-and/)

[Christiaan Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiaan-barnard/)

> [“Whoever invented the ICU should see some of the patients we have here. With reference to the atom bomb, Einstein said, “With the development…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikkael-a-sekeres/whoever-invented-the-icu-should-see-some-of-the-patients-we-have-here/)

Mikkael A. Sekeres

> [“It is in vain that we can predict and control the course of events in the future, unless we know how to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/it-is-in-vain-that-we-can-predict-and-control-the-course-of-events-in/)

[Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/)

> [If I could do this until I was 60, I would. This is a great life. All I do is train, all I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chandler/if-i-could-do-this-until-i-was-60-i-would-this-is-a-great-life-all-i/)

[Michael Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chandler/)

> [“The average person is in the habit of saying, “The older I get;”’ and he thereby calls the attention of his mind to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-d-larson/the-average-person-is-in-the-habit-of-saying-the-older-i-get-and-he/)

[Christian D. Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-d-larson/)

> [The whole thrust of science and the medical profession is to try and prevent it from happening, to try to prolong life, to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/the-whole-thrust-of-science-and-the-medical-profession-is-to-try-and/)

[Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/)

## More by Albert Einstein

> [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

[Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

## 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": "I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Albert Einstein"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless-to-prolong-life-artificially/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Death"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless-to-prolong-life-artificially/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/albert-einstein-33_death_i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless_1949251.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to…” — Albert Einstein",
                "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": "Albert Einstein",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I want to go when I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless-to-prolong-life-artificially/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-want-to-go-when-i-want-it-is-tasteless-to-prolong-life-artificially/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
