---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When life is so burdensome death has…"
description: "\"When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.\" — Herodotus"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg"
---

#  When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after…

![“When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg)

> “When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.”

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

## About This Quote

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

The author reflects on how overwhelming hardship can make death appear as an attractive escape.

**In simple terms:** Hardship can make death seem appealing.

Key Takeaway

Seek help before despair deepens.

Themes

suffering existential death

Mood

somber reflective

Type

philosophical cautionary

When to use this quote

- mental health crises
- war trauma
- poverty
- chronic illness

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- What sources of hope can counteract despair?
- How can societies reduce overwhelming suffering?

A Different Perspective

Death is not a solution; support and meaning matter.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Burdensome Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burdensome-death-3605184/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Death Sought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-sought-3605185/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Burdensome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-burdensome-3109604/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Sought Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sought-refuge-497181/)

## Related quotes

> [“For one struck down by Cupid’s bow Life becomes burdensome, isn’t that so?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/for-one-struck-down-by-cupid-s-bow-life-becomes-burdensome-isn-t-that/)

[Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/)

> [That which renders life burdensome to us generally arises from the abuse of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/that-which-renders-life-burdensome-to-us-generally-arises-from-the/)

[Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/)

> [“In the silence, there was peace. A peace that came too soon, but I sought refuge in its release.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-donovan/in-the-silence-there-was-peace-a-peace-that-came-too-soon-but-i/)

[Rebecca Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-donovan/)

> [“There had been an uprising by the Bondelswaartz in 1922, and general turmoil in the country. His radio experiments interrupted, he sought refuge, along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pynchon/there-had-been-an-uprising-by-the-bondelswaartz-in-1922-and-general/)

[Thomas Pynchon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-pynchon/)

> [I am not a refugee. I sought refuge for many years, but the word 'refugee' does not define me. It just limits me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/i-am-not-a-refugee-i-sought-refuge-for-many-years-but-the-word/)

[Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/)

> [“In 1913, trying desperately to liberate art from the ballast of the representational world, I sought refuge in the form of the square.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasimir-malevich/in-1913-trying-desperately-to-liberate-art-from-the-ballast-of-the/)

[Kasimir Malevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasimir-malevich/)

> [“Sitting on the porch alone, listening to them fixing supper, he felt again the indignation he had felt before, the sense of loss and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-jones/sitting-on-the-porch-alone-listening-to-them-fixing-supper-he-felt/)

[James Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-jones/)

> [“So they will pursue their questions from cause to cause, till at last you take refuge in the will of God—in other words, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/so-they-will-pursue-their-questions-from-cause-to-cause-till-at-last/)

[Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/)

> [In each studio there is a human being dressed in the full regalia of his myth fearing to expore a vulnerable opening, spreading not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/in-each-studio-there-is-a-human-being-dressed-in-the-full-regalia-of/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The great gift of a spiritual path is coming to trust that you can find a way to true refuge. You realize that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-great-gift-of-a-spiritual-path-is-coming-to-trust-that-you-can/)

[Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/)

> [Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/be-lamps-unto-yourselves-be-refuges-unto-yourselves-take-yourself-no/)

[Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/)

> [“...the haunted always take refuge in stillness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-dodd/the-haunted-always-take-refuge-in-stillness/)

[Christina Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-dodd/)

> [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/)

[Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/)

> [A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/a-man-could-be-a-lover-and-defender-of-the-wilderness-without-ever-in/)

[Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/)

## More by Herodotus

> [Haste in every business brings failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/haste-in-every-business-brings-failures/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [A real friend ... exults in his friends happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/a-real-friend-exults-in-his-friend-s-happiness-rejoices-in-all-his/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/some-men-give-up-their-designs-when-they-have-almost-reached-the-goal/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [I know that human happiness never remains long in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/i-know-that-human-happiness-never-remains-long-in-the-same-place/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Happiness is not fame or riches or heroic virtues, but a state that will inspire posterity to think in reflecting upon our life, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/happiness-is-not-fame-or-riches-or-heroic-virtues-but-a-state-that/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/but-i-like-not-these-great-success-of-yours-for-i-know-how-jealous/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/knowledge-may-give-weight-but-accomplishments-give-lustre-and-many/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/very-few-things-happen-at-the-right-time-and-the-rest-do-not-happen/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [ They \[the Persians\] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/they-the-persians-are-accustomed-to-deliberate-on-matters-of-the/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/circumstances-rule-men-men-do-not-rule-circumstances/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/to-think-well-and-to-consent-to-obey-someone-giving-good-advice-are/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/unless-a-variety-of-opinions-are-laid-before-us-we-have-no/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/of-all-possessions-a-friend-is-the-most-precious/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/those-who-are-guided-by-reason-are-generally-successful-in-their/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

> [The gods loves to punish whatever is greater than the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/the-gods-loves-to-punish-whatever-is-greater-than-the-rest/)

[Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

[Explore all 145 Herodotus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/)

## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Herodotus"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-become-a-sought-after-refuge/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Death"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-become-a-sought-after-refuge/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/herodotus-2844_death_when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-bec_1201403.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When life is so burdensome death has become a sought after refuge.” — Herodotus",
                "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": "Herodotus",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When life is so burdensome death...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-become-a-sought-after-refuge/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/when-life-is-so-burdensome-death-has-become-a-sought-after-refuge/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
