Alive Quote by Arthur Hugh Clough
“Thou shalt not kill; but needst not strive officiously to keep alive.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Sermon of the Dead", 1850
The line juxtaposes the command not to kill with the idea that we should not obsessively preserve life, urging a balanced view of mortality.
In simple terms: Don’t kill, but don’t cling to life obsessively.
Key Takeaway
Accept death as natural, avoid over‑protecting life.
Themes
ethics
mortality
philosophy
balance
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- funeral rites
- medical ethics
- personal contemplation
Key Concepts
life
death
moderation
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “strive officiously” mean?
- How to balance preservation and acceptance?
A Different Perspective
It may be misinterpreted as endorsing neglect.
