--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But dying is a pleasure / When living is…" description: "\"But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain.\" — John Dryden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg" --- # But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain. ![“But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain.” quote by John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg) > “But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain.” [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When life is painful, death can seem appealing; contrast highlights suffering’s intensity. **In simple terms:** Painful life makes death seem appealing. Key Takeaway Seek relief from suffering. Themes death pain pleasure Mood somber contemplative Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - health crises - mental health - end‑of‑life care Key Concepts existentialism stoicism Questions to Reflect On - What makes life unbearable? - How can one find meaning despite pain? A Different Perspective Death is final, not a solution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) ## Related quotes > [Only the dying take pleasure in the details of what the healthy fail to notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-stone/only-the-dying-take-pleasure-in-the-details-of-what-the-healthy-fail/) [Craig Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-stone/) > [Today, luxury resides in everything that is becoming rare: communion with nature, silence, meditation, slowness rediscovered, the pleasure of living out of step with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pascal-bruckner/today-luxury-resides-in-everything-that-is-becoming-rare-communion/) [Pascal Bruckner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pascal-bruckner/) > [“You must know, dear Constantinus, that I love you as much as always, and that I prefer the pleasure of living in your company…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-van-zuylen/you-must-know-dear-constantinus-that-i-love-you-as-much-as-always-and/) Belle van Zuylen > [Some of the higher price of L.A. real estate does reflect the intrinsic pleasure of living there, as I'm reminded every time I walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/some-of-the-higher-price-of-l-a-real-estate-does-reflect-the/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [For here lies the pleasure of living: In taking God's bounties, and giving The gifts back again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/for-here-lies-the-pleasure-of-living-in-taking-god-s-bounties-and/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [“The pleasure is found in living hygge, not curating it, in the experience of the journey, not owning the map.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/the-pleasure-is-found-in-living-hygge-not-curating-it-in-the/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [It is the greatest pleasure of living to win souls to Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/it-is-the-greatest-pleasure-of-living-to-win-souls-to-christ/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [Because dying for God is a higher pleasure... than living without Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-weinberg/because-dying-for-god-is-a-higher-pleasure-than-living-without-him/) Noah Weinberg > [We're the bridge across forever, arching above the sea, adventuring for our pleasure, living mysteries for the fun of it, choosing disasters triumphs challenges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/we-re-the-bridge-across-forever-arching-above-the-sea-adventuring-for/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [“The condition in extreme is identifiable but the less obvious version of addiction is still painful and arguably worse because we simply adapt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-brand/the-condition-in-extreme-is-identifiable-but-the-less-obvious-version/) [Russell Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-brand/) > [Life is beautiful and living is pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/life-is-beautiful-and-living-is-pain/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Its easy to die in love...but living with that pain for rest of its life is the hardest thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan-r-sharma/its-easy-to-die-in-love-but-living-with-that-pain-for-rest-of-its/) [Sushan R Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan-r-sharma/) > [ “\[Faith\] was something other than an intellectual exercise. There were no words, no lofty concepts, that could take away the pain. Faith was living… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-coel/faith-was-something-other-than-an-intellectual-exercise-there-were-no/) Margaret Coel > [I just want to see how long I can keep this thing going. The easiest thing is dying. Living is a a pain in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-lalanne/i-just-want-to-see-how-long-i-can-keep-this-thing-going-the-easiest/) [Jack Lalanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-lalanne/) > [“But now and then, beneath the outer numbness, something stirred, like a living pain waiting for the anesthetic to wear away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zilpha-keatley-snyder/but-now-and-then-beneath-the-outer-numbness-something-stirred-like-a/) [Zilpha Keatley Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zilpha-keatley-snyder/) ## More by John Dryden > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Trust on and think To-morrow will repay; To-morrow's falser than the former day; Lies worse; and while it says, we shall be blest With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/trust-on-and-think-to-morrow-will-repay-to-morrow-s-falser-than-the/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [To take up half on trust, and half to try, Name it not faith but bungling bigotry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/to-take-up-half-on-trust-and-half-to-try-name-it-not-faith-but/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Among our crimes oblivion may be set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/among-our-crimes-oblivion-may-be-set/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [And after hearing what our Church can say, If still our reason runs another way, That private reason 'tis more just to curb, Than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/and-after-hearing-what-our-church-can-say-if-still-our-reason-runs/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave deserves the fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/happy-happy-happy-pair-none-but-the-brave-deserves-the-fair/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [A coward is the kindest animal; 'Tis the most forgiving creature in a fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/a-coward-is-the-kindest-animal-tis-the-most-forgiving-creature-in-a/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [God never made his work for man to mend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/god-never-made-his-work-for-man-to-mend/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Reason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative. Life is an adventure in forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/reason-to-rule-mercy-to-forgive-the-first-is-law-the-last-prerogative/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Stiff opinion, always in the wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/stiff-opinion-always-in-the-wrong/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [He with a graceful pride, While his rider every hand survey'd, Sprung loose, and flew into an escapade; Not moving forward, yet with every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/he-with-a-graceful-pride-while-his-rider-every-hand-survey-d-sprung/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/men-s-virtues-i-have-commended-as-freely-as-i-have-taxed-their-crimes/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Virtue without success is a fair picture shown by an ill light; but lucky men are favorites of heaven; all own the chief, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/virtue-without-success-is-a-fair-picture-shown-by-an-ill-light-but/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/zeal-the-blind-conductor-of-the-will/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [“Night came, but unattended with repose. Alone she came, no sleep their eyes to close. Alone and black she came; no friendly stars arose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/night-came-but-unattended-with-repose-alone-she-came-no-sleep-their/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) [Explore all 520 John Dryden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) ## 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. 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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": "But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Dryden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a-pain/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a-pain/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b1/john-dryden-491_death_but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a_1896296.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But dying is a pleasure / When living is a pain.” — John Dryden", "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": "John Dryden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "But dying is a pleasure /...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a-pain/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/but-dying-is-a-pleasure-when-living-is-a-pain/#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 } } ] } ```