Abandon Quote by Marguerite Yourcenar
“Little soul, gentle and drifting, guest and companion of my body, now you will dwell below in pallid places, stark and bare; there you will abandon your play of yore. But one moment still, let us gaze together on these familiar shores, on these objects which doubtless we shall not see again…Let us try, if we can, to enter into death with open eyes...”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Death of the Soul" from *Memoirs of Hadrian*, 1951
The poem reflects on the soul’s transition from life to death, urging acceptance and awareness as it moves to an unknown, barren realm.
In simple terms: The soul leaves the body and enters death, inviting calm observation.
Key Takeaway
Embrace death with open eyes.
Themes
mortality
acceptance
transcendence
Mood
contemplative
somber
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- end‑of‑life care
- personal meditation
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
philosophy
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we cultivate calm when confronting mortality?
- What does “open eyes” mean in the face of death?
A Different Perspective
Death may be frightening and the unknown can overwhelm rational comfort.
