---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They say you die twice. One time when you…"
description: "\"“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”\" — Banksy"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg"
---

#  They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing…

![“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.” quote by Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg)

> ““They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.””

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

## About This Quote

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

Death is experienced twice: when life ends and when memory fades.

**In simple terms:** You die when you stop breathing and when forgotten.

Key Takeaway

Create lasting impact to avoid being forgotten.

Themes

mortality legacy memory

Mood

somber reflective

Type

artistic philosophical

When to use this quote

- family memorials
- historical monuments
- digital footprints

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology cultural memory

Questions to Reflect On

- How will you be remembered?
- What actions build lasting legacy?

A Different Perspective

Memory can be selective and unreliable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Breathing Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing-second-1931050/) [Death and dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-and-dying/) [Die Twice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/die-twice-416337/) [Graffiti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graffiti/) [Last time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-time/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Second Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Twice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twice/) [Twice Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twice-time-654785/)

## Related quotes

> [If you are still breathing, you have a second chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/if-you-are-still-breathing-you-have-a-second-chance/)

[Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/)

> [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [It's a very frustrated feeling you get when the only people with good photos of you work are the police department.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/it-s-a-very-frustrated-feeling-you-get-when-the-only-people-with-good/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-become-cops-because-they-want-to-make-the-world-a-better/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/speak-softly-but-carry-a-big-can-of-paint/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Should # graffiti be judged on the same level as modern art? Of course not: It's way more important than that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/should-graffiti-be-judged-on-the-same-level-as-modern-art-of-course/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-is-one-of-the-few-tools-you-have-if-you-have-almost-nothing/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Traditional graffiti writers have a bunch of rules they like to stick to, and good luck to them, but I didn't become a graffiti…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/traditional-graffiti-writers-have-a-bunch-of-rules-they-like-to-stick/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [the people who run our cities dont understand graffiti because they think nothing has the right to exist unless it makes a profit... the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-people-who-run-our-cities-dont-understand-graffiti-because-they/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [I don't think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-don-t-think-you-should-have-to-pay-to-look-at-graffiti-you-should/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that's only if it's done properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/people-say-graffiti-is-ugly-irresponsible-and-childish-but-that-s/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Imagine a city where graffiti wasn't illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/imagine-a-city-where-graffiti-wasn-t-illegal-a-city-where-everybody/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

## More by Banksy

> [A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/a-wall-is-a-very-big-weapon-it-s-one-of-the-nastiest-things-you-can/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Some people criticize me for using sources that are a bit low brow (this quote is from 'Gladiator') but you know what? 'I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-criticize-me-for-using-sources-that-are-a-bit-low-brow/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/there-s-nothing-more-dangerous-than-someone-who-wants-to-make-the/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Today's art has been cancelled due to police activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/today-s-art-has-been-cancelled-due-to-police-activity/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-bad-artists-imitate-the-great-artists-steal/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-just-wanna-make-the-world-a-better-looking-place-if-you-don-t-like/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [When he time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don't make any fuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/when-he-time-comes-to-leave-just-walk-away-quietly-and-don-t-make-any/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [If at first you don't succeed, Call an airstrike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-call-an-airstrike/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/painting-something-that-defies-the-law-of-the-land-is-good-painting/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/think-outside-the-box-collapse-the-box-and-take-a-fucking-sharp-knife/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/we-can-t-do-anything-to-change-the-world-until-capitalism-crumbles-in/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

> [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/)

[Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

[Explore all 140 Banksy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/)

## More Breathing quotes

> [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/)

[John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/)

> [“As long as we’re breathing, we have a chance to start over and build a stable future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/as-long-as-we-re-breathing-we-have-a-chance-to-start-over-and-build-a/)

[Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/)

> [People don't think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing has to be number one - even though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-don-t-think-much-about-breathing-of-all-the-things-we-take-for/)

[Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/)

> [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/)

[Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/)

> [I wish," Jared began, and stopped, breathing in. "Do you remember how you used to believe I wasn't real? Sometimes I wish that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/i-wish-jared-began-and-stopped-breathing-in-do-you-remember-how-you/)

[Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/)

> [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Breathing is give(carbon dioxide) and take(oxygen), such is life, find balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-williams/breathing-is-give-carbon-dioxide-and-take-oxygen-such-is-life-find/)

[Marcel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-williams/)

> [I'll probably be writing as long as I'm breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/i-ll-probably-be-writing-as-long-as-i-m-breathing/)

[Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/)

> [For me writing is like breathing. I could not live without breathing and I could not live without writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/for-me-writing-is-like-breathing-i-could-not-live-without-breathing/)

[Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/)

> [I’m in, Cat. I’d never leave you. Especially when you’ve got death breathing down your neck.” “Very funny,” I retorted, since Bones was inches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-m-in-cat-i-d-never-leave-you-especially-when-you-ve-got-death/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/)

[Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/)

> [He’d moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasn’t the only one breathing heavily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/he-d-moved-toward-me-again-his-hands-released-mine-and-moved-to-my/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [My worry is that opera will become an historic art form as opposed to a living, breathing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-worry-is-that-opera-will-become-an-historic-art-form-as-opposed-to/)

[Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/)

> [I'm really fascinated and you know I've been wondering about that usage of language, various breathing techniques and why in these practices language is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/i-m-really-fascinated-and-you-know-i-ve-been-wondering-about-that/)

[Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/)

> [I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us — comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-m-exactly-right-for-you-bella-it-would-have-been-effortless-for-us/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

[Browse all 1,666 Breathing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Banksy"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you-stop-breathing-and-a-second/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Breathing"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you-stop-breathing-and-a-second/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/535/banksy-3076_breathing_they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you_2420928.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody…” — Banksy",
                "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": "Banksy",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“They say you die twice. One...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you-stop-breathing-and-a-second/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/they-say-you-die-twice-one-time-when-you-stop-breathing-and-a-second/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
