--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is true that I had wanted to die , but…" description: "\"It is true that I had wanted to die , but that is peculiarly different from regretting having been born. Overwhelmingly, I was enormously glad to have ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a7/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_born_it-is-true-that-i-had-wanted-to-die-but_3042558.jpg" --- # It is true that I had wanted to die , but that is… ![“It is true that I had wanted to die , but that is peculiarly different from regretting having been born. Overwhelmingly, I was enormously glad to have been born, grateful for life, and I couldn’t imagine not wanting to pass on life to someone else.” quote by Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a7/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_born_it-is-true-that-i-had-wanted-to-die-but_3042558.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a7/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_born_it-is-true-that-i-had-wanted-to-die-but_3042558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a7/kay-redfield-jamison-1826_born_it-is-true-that-i-had-wanted-to-die-but_3042558.jpg) > “It is true that I had wanted to die , but that is peculiarly different from regretting having been born. Overwhelmingly, I was enormously glad to have been born, grateful for life, and I couldn’t imagine not wanting to pass on life to someone else.” [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker distinguishes between the desire to end one's own life and the broader appreciation for existence, emphasizing gratitude for being alive and wanting to share life with others. **In simple terms:** Wanting to die is different from regretting being born; the speaker feels grateful for life. Key Takeaway Cherish life and share it. Themes gratitude existence mental health Mood hopeful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - therapy sessions - support groups - life coaching Key Concepts nihilism meaning purpose Questions to Reflect On - How do you cultivate gratitude during depressive episodes? - What practices help you appreciate life despite suffering? A Different Perspective Life’s value can be clouded by mental illness, making gratitude hard to sustain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Grateful for life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful-for-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Wanted to die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-to-die/) ## Related quotes > [The worst feeling is regretting not having done something when you had the chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/the-worst-feeling-is-regretting-not-having-done-something-when-you/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [I used to be a lawyer and I quit the practice of law to start writing and one of the reasons that I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/i-used-to-be-a-lawyer-and-i-quit-the-practice-of-law-to-start-writing/) David Hudgins > [“...May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past, and remember that today many people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-v-donovan/may-the-saddest-day-of-your-future-be-no-worse-than-the-happiest-day-3/) [Taylor V. 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