--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When among the graves of thy fellows…" description: "\"When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg" --- # When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with… ![“When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg) > “When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Be cautious among the dead, because your own death is imminent and unknown. **In simple terms:** Stay alert; death is always near. Key Takeaway Live mindfully and respect mortality. Themes mortality humility awareness Mood reflective somber Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - funerals - war zones - dangerous occupations - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism ethical caution Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of death affect daily choices? - What balance between caution and fear is healthy? A Different Perspective It may cause anxiety, limiting enjoyment of life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ## Related quotes > [The more thou dost advance, the more thy feet pitfalls will meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-blavatsky/the-more-thou-dost-advance-the-more-thy-feet-pitfalls-will-meet/) [H. P. Blavatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-blavatsky/) > [“The fount of joy was bubbling in thine eyes, Dancing was in thy feet, And on thy lips a laugh that never dies, Unutterably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vita-sackville-west/the-fount-of-joy-was-bubbling-in-thine-eyes-dancing-was-in-thy-feet/) [Vita Sackville-West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vita-sackville-west/) > [O master poet, I have sat down at thy feet. Only let me make my life simple and straight, like a flute of reed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/o-master-poet-i-have-sat-down-at-thy-feet-only-let-me-make-my-life/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs Show me those fleshy principalities; Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/show-me-thy-feet-show-me-thy-legs-thy-thighs-show-me-those-fleshy/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [The more thou dost advance, the more thy feet pitfalls will meet. The Path that leadeth on is lighted by one fire - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-blavatsky/the-more-thou-dost-advance-the-more-thy-feet-pitfalls-will-meet-the/) [H. P. Blavatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-blavatsky/) > [Caution is the daughter of circumspection, but she tends to outgrow her mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/caution-is-the-daughter-of-circumspection-but-she-tends-to-outgrow/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [Descrimate between persons who are interacting with you in your personal life on regular basis, and treat them accordingly. A high level of circumspection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandrababu-vs/descrimate-between-persons-who-are-interacting-with-you-in-your/) [Chandrababu VS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandrababu-vs/) > [“You're thinking about something, and it makes you forget to talk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-re-thinking-about-something-and-it-makes-you-forget-to-talk/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [Life is life. You do a lot of different things and you have great adventures but there's not a lot to talk about unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-plant/life-is-life-you-do-a-lot-of-different-things-and-you-have-great/) [Robert Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-plant/) > [If we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/if-we-suffer-tamely-a-lawless-attack-upon-our-liberty-we-encourage-it/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“Eloquence in public assemblies is not the surest road to fame and preferment, at least unless it be used with great caution, very rarely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/eloquence-in-public-assemblies-is-not-the-surest-road-to-fame-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Let us contemplate our forefathers, and posterity, and resolve to maintain the rights bequeathed to us from the former, for the sake of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/let-us-contemplate-our-forefathers-and-posterity-and-resolve-to/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“What was needed now was not bravery, but circumspection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/what-was-needed-now-was-not-bravery-but-circumspection/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [By playing at Chess then, we may learn... First: Foresight. Second: Circumspection. Third: Caution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-playing-at-chess-then-we-may-learn-first-foresight-second/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/a-beautiful-woman-if-poor-should-use-double-circumspection-for-her/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Circumspection quotes > [A beautiful woman, if poor, should use double circumspection; for her beauty will tempt others, her poverty herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/a-beautiful-woman-if-poor-should-use-double-circumspection-for-her/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Descrimate between persons who are interacting with you in your personal life on regular basis, and treat them accordingly. A high level of circumspection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandrababu-vs/descrimate-between-persons-who-are-interacting-with-you-in-your/) [Chandrababu VS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandrababu-vs/) > [“You're thinking about something, and it makes you forget to talk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/you-re-thinking-about-something-and-it-makes-you-forget-to-talk/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [“What was needed now was not bravery, but circumspection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/what-was-needed-now-was-not-bravery-but-circumspection/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [Caution is the daughter of circumspection, but she tends to outgrow her mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/caution-is-the-daughter-of-circumspection-but-she-tends-to-outgrow/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [By playing at Chess then, we may learn... First: Foresight. Second: Circumspection. Third: Caution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-playing-at-chess-then-we-may-learn-first-foresight-second/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Let us contemplate our forefathers, and posterity, and resolve to maintain the rights bequeathed to us from the former, for the sake of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/let-us-contemplate-our-forefathers-and-posterity-and-resolve-to/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“Eloquence in public assemblies is not the surest road to fame and preferment, at least unless it be used with great caution, very rarely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/eloquence-in-public-assemblies-is-not-the-surest-road-to-fame-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [If we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/if-we-suffer-tamely-a-lawless-attack-upon-our-liberty-we-encourage-it/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [Life is life. You do a lot of different things and you have great adventures but there's not a lot to talk about unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-plant/life-is-life-you-do-a-lot-of-different-things-and-you-have-great/) [Robert Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-plant/) > [When it shall please God to bring thee to man's estate, use great providence and circumspection in choosing thy wife. For from thence will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/when-it-shall-please-god-to-bring-thee-to-man-s-estate-use-great/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [In proportion to the value of this revolution; in proportion to the importance of instruments, every word of which decides a question between power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/in-proportion-to-the-value-of-this-revolution-in-proportion-to-the/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It is not therefore the business of philosophy, in our present situation in the universe, to attempt to take in at once, in one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-maclaurin/it-is-not-therefore-the-business-of-philosophy-in-our-present/) Colin Maclaurin > [The necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/the-necessity-of-the-times-more-than-ever-calls-for-our-utmost/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [I appreciate my instincts, but my instincts can be dead wrong. Circumspection can give you time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/i-appreciate-my-instincts-but-my-instincts-can-be-dead-wrong/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) Browse all 43 Circumspection quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-walk-with-circumspection-thine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circumspection" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-walk-with-circumspection-thine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/357/ambrose-bierce-140_circumspection_when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-wal_2608320.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When among the graves of thy fellows, walk with circumspection; thine own is open at thy feet.” — Ambrose Bierce", "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": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When among the graves of thy...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-walk-with-circumspection-thine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-among-the-graves-of-thy-fellows-walk-with-circumspection-thine/#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 } } ] } ```