--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hold it the greatest sin to prefer…" description: "\"Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living.\" — Juvenal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png" --- # Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour… ![“Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living.” quote by Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png) > “Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living.” [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing survival over dignity leads to a hollow life lacking purpose. **In simple terms:** Choosing life over honor empties meaning. Key Takeaway Seek honor, not mere existence. Themes honor purpose existence ethics Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - political leadership - personal crises - ethical decisions - career choices Key Concepts Stoicism Roman satire moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What values define your honor? - How do you balance dignity with survival? A Different Perspective Honor may conflict with survival instincts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Honour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honour/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honor, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-existence-to-honor-and-for-the/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [When I first ran for City Council in 2013, I was told over and over again that I would likely lose, and for reasons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-wu/when-i-first-ran-for-city-council-in-2013-i-was-told-over-and-over/) [Michelle Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-wu/) > [“The worst place to be is where you lose the reasons to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aquib-ali/the-worst-place-to-be-is-where-you-lose-the-reasons-to-be/) [Aquib Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aquib-ali/) > [We are going to win and the industrial West is going to lose out; there's not much you can do about it because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konosuke-matsushita/we-are-going-to-win-and-the-industrial-west-is-going-to-lose-out/) [Konosuke Matsushita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konosuke-matsushita/) > [“When I lose the reasons to live, I shall die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alija-ali-izetbegovic/when-i-lose-the-reasons-to-live-i-shall-die/) [Alija Ali Izetbegovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alija-ali-izetbegovic/) > [Without a clear perception of his reasons for living, man will never consent to live, and will rather destroy himself than tarry on earth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/without-a-clear-perception-of-his-reasons-for-living-man-will-never/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Remind yourself of your reasons for living. You have a future worth enduring for, and you deserve to have a renewed sense of purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-katafiasz/remind-yourself-of-your-reasons-for-living-you-have-a-future-worth/) Karen Katafiasz > [I think that where you go wrong is that you imagine that your reasons for living ought to fall on you, ready-made from heaven,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/i-think-that-where-you-go-wrong-is-that-you-imagine-that-your-reasons/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Youth does not require reasons for living, it only needs pretexts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/youth-does-not-require-reasons-for-living-it-only-needs-pretexts/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [One of the most important reasons for living is to do something - live outside of yourself and put together an idea, an idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-palance/one-of-the-most-important-reasons-for-living-is-to-do-something-live/) [Jack Palance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-palance/) > [I no longer needed a reason for my existence, just a reason to live. And imagination, free will, love, humor, fun, music, sports, beer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-no-longer-needed-a-reason-for-my-existence-just-a-reason-to-live/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [“He said that some people can live from birth to death and have no more thoughts in their heads about the reasons for living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-kent/he-said-that-some-people-can-live-from-birth-to-death-and-have-no/) [Kathleen Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-kent/) > [Here among my books, my wife, my friends and my loves, I have plenty of reasons to keep living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/here-among-my-books-my-wife-my-friends-and-my-loves-i-have-plenty-of/) [Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/) > [“Riches are the reasons for living!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/riches-are-the-reasons-for-living/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [It is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our lives that we must draw our strength to live and our reasons for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/it-is-in-the-knowledge-of-the-genuine-conditions-of-our-lives-that-we/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) ## More by Juvenal > [Where have you ever found that man who stopped short after the perpetration of a single crime?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/where-have-you-ever-found-that-man-who-stopped-short-after-the/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Everything in Rome has its price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/everything-in-rome-has-its-price/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Astrology reveals the will of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/astrology-reveals-the-will-of-the-gods/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [ Indignation leads to the making of poetry. \[Lat., Facit indignatio versum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/indignation-leads-to-the-making-of-poetry-lat-facit-indignatio-versum/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [The short bloom of our brief and narrow life flies fast away. While we are calling for flowers and wine and women, old age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/the-short-bloom-of-our-brief-and-narrow-life-flies-fast-away-while-we/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Some men make money not for the sake of living, but ache In the blindness of greed and live just for their fortune's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/some-men-make-money-not-for-the-sake-of-living-but-ache-in-the/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/quis-custodiet-ipsos-custodes-who-will-watch-the-watchers/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [All things may be bought in Rome with money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/all-things-may-be-bought-in-rome-with-money/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Who is to guard the guards themselves?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/who-is-to-guard-the-guards-themselves/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Dedicate one's life to truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dedicate-one-s-life-to-truth/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [A sound mind in a sound body is a thing to be prayed for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/a-sound-mind-in-a-sound-body-is-a-thing-to-be-prayed-for/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Only death reveals what a nothing the body of man is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/only-death-reveals-what-a-nothing-the-body-of-man-is/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [“show me the apartment 235 that lets you sleep! In this city sleep costs millions, and that’s the root of the trouble.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/show-me-the-apartment-235-that-lets-you-sleep-in-this-city-sleep/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [ When a man's life is at stake no delay is too long. \[Lat., Nulla unquam de morte cunctatio longa est.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/when-a-man-s-life-is-at-stake-no-delay-is-too-long-lat-nulla-unquam/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [What man have you ever seen who was contented with one crime only?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/what-man-have-you-ever-seen-who-was-contented-with-one-crime-only/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) [Explore all 328 Juvenal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) ## More Existence quotes > [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/) [Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/) > [Quantum physics fluctuates all the time. But now the fluctuations are not just particles coming into and out of existence, which happens all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/quantum-physics-fluctuates-all-the-time-but-now-the-fluctuations-are/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) > [My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [Never belong to a crowd; Never belong to a nation; Never belong to a religion; Never belong to a race. Belong to the whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/never-belong-to-a-crowd-never-belong-to-a-nation-never-belong-to-a/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Universities are the cathedrals of the modern age. They shouldn't have to justify their existence by utilitarian criteria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lodge/universities-are-the-cathedrals-of-the-modern-age-they-shouldn-t-have/) [David Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lodge/) > [Just as everybody has the vote including women, I think children should, because as a child is conscious of itself then it has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/just-as-everybody-has-the-vote-including-women-i-think-children/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) [Browse all 7,646 Existence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for living.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Juvenal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-existence-to-honour-and-for-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Existence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-existence-to-honour-and-for-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/juvenal-918_existence_hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-exist_1680617.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Hold it the greatest sin to prefer existence to honour, and for the sake of life to lose the reasons for…” — Juvenal", "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": "Juvenal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Hold it the greatest sin to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-existence-to-honour-and-for-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/hold-it-the-greatest-sin-to-prefer-existence-to-honour-and-for-the/#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 } } ] } ```