--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Death is not \"an eternal sleep!\"…" description: "\"Death is not \"an eternal sleep!\" Citizens! efface from the tomb that motto, graven by sacrilegious hands, which spreads over all nature a funereal crap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg" --- # Death is not "an eternal sleep!" Citizens! efface from the… ![“Death is not "an eternal sleep!" Citizens! efface from the tomb that motto, graven by sacrilegious hands, which spreads over all nature a funereal crape, takes from oppressed innocence its support, and affronts the beneficent dispensation of death! Inscribe rather thereon these words: "Death is…” quote by Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg) > “Death is not "an eternal sleep!" Citizens! efface from the tomb that motto, graven by sacrilegious hands, which spreads over all nature a funereal crape, takes from oppressed innocence its support, and affronts the beneficent dispensation of death! Inscribe rather thereon these words: "Death is the commencement of immortality!"” [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Death should be seen as the start of immortality, not a final, mournful end. **In simple terms:** Death is a beginning, not an end. Key Takeaway Embrace death as a transition to eternity. Themes mortality spirituality revolution philosophy Mood defiant hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - public motivation - ritual speech Key Concepts afterlife existential meaning political propaganda Questions to Reflect On - What does immortality mean to you? - How can this view affect how we live? A Different Perspective Some view death as final and fear it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commencement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commencement/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Innocence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innocence/) [Motto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motto/) [Oppressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppressed/) [Sacrilegious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrilegious/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) ## Related quotes > [“Reginald “If” Ifa IV died today. His last words were, “Death, the great What if.” I dreamt this, but that doesn’t make it any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/reginald-if-ifa-iv-died-today-his-last-words-were-death-the-great/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Transition or transformation are the correct and softest words to describe death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/transition-or-transformation-are-the-correct-and-softest-words-to/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [“We’ve worn our words to death, when now I say: my love, nothing happens, absolutely nothing. And yet, before the words were spent, I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eug-nio-de-andrade/we-ve-worn-our-words-to-death-when-now-i-say-my-love-nothing-happens/) Eugénio de Andrade > [But you, Achilles,/ There is not a man in the world more blest than you--/ There never has been, never will be one./ Time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-you-achilles-there-is-not-a-man-in-the-world-more-blest-than-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Reported as Oscar Wilde's last words on his death bed... This wallpaper is killing me. One of us has to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/reported-as-oscar-wilde-s-last-words-on-his-death-bed-this-wallpaper/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A tune is a song without words. Death is a life without love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-tune-is-a-song-without-words-death-is-a-life-without-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Death is an eternal sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fouche/death-is-an-eternal-sleep/) Joseph Fouche > [“Death is not but eternal life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-malone-wright/death-is-not-but-eternal-life/) [Jennifer Malone Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-malone-wright/) > [“Tis not your time, my love,” he whispered. “You will not die tonight.” “Never,” I said to him, “for I have been blessed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-featherstone/tis-not-your-time-my-love-he-whispered-you-will-not-die-tonight-never/) [Charlotte Featherstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-featherstone/) > [“Life a dream in Death's eternal sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thomson-b-v/life-a-dream-in-death-s-eternal-sleep/) James Thomson (B.V > [My life is a blunt to the head, a prayer for the dead, Run around hustlin...scared of the feds. They said death is eternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/styles-p/my-life-is-a-blunt-to-the-head-a-prayer-for-the-dead-run-around/) [Styles P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/styles-p/) > [But say That death be not one stroke, as I supposed, Bereaving sense, but endless misery From this day onward, which I feel begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/but-say-that-death-be-not-one-stroke-as-i-supposed-bereaving-sense/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“But say   That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos'd,   Bereaving sense, but endless miserie   From this day onward, which I feel begun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/but-say-that-death-be-not-one-stroak-as-i-suppos-d-bereaving-sense/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“Death was not eternal; Death was the only true mortal God ever created. It is no wonder we stare in horror at it ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-garrett/death-was-not-eternal-death-was-the-only-true-mortal-god-ever-created/) [Ginger Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-garrett/) > [“Death. The eternal blink. The capricious dance of Now You Stop Moving Forever. Well, contrary to popular belief, death isn't just for dead people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-langtry/death-the-eternal-blink-the-capricious-dance-of-now-you-stop-moving/) [Leslie Langtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-langtry/) ## More by Maximilien Robespierre > [The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-secret-of-freedom-lies-in-educating-people-whereas-the-secret-of/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible. It is then an emanation of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/terror-is-only-justice-prompt-severe-and-inflexible-it-is-then-an/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/to-punish-the-oppressors-of-humanity-is-clemency-to-forgive-them-is/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government therefore resemble despotism? Yes, as the sword that gleams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/it-has-been-said-that-terror-is-the-principle-of-despotic-government/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Smuggle out the truth, pass it through all the obstacles that its enemies fabricate; multiply, spread by all means possible her message so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/smuggle-out-the-truth-pass-it-through-all-the-obstacles-that-its/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Omelets are not made without breaking eggs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/omelets-are-not-made-without-breaking-eggs/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The general will rules in society as the private will governs each separate individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-general-will-rules-in-society-as-the-private-will-governs-each/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Establish liberty on a rock of brass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/establish-liberty-on-a-rock-of-brass/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Pity is treason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/pity-is-treason/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The revolution is the war of liberty against its enemies. The constitution is the rule of liberty against its enemies. The constitution is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-revolution-is-the-war-of-liberty-against-its-enemies-the/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [The aim of constitutional government is to preserve the Republic; that of revolutionary government is to lay its foundation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/the-aim-of-constitutional-government-is-to-preserve-the-republic-that/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Formerly, when a king died at Versailles the reign of his successor was immediately announced by the cry: "The king is dead, long live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/formerly-when-a-king-died-at-versailles-the-reign-of-his-successor/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Food that is necessary for man’s existence is as sacred as life itself. Everything that is indispensable for its preservation is the common property…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/food-that-is-necessary-for-man-s-existence-is-as-sacred-as-life/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [lf the attribute of popular government in peace is virtue, the attribute of popular government in revolution is at one and the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/lf-the-attribute-of-popular-government-in-peace-is-virtue-the/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) > [Any law which violates the inalienable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/any-law-which-violates-the-inalienable-rights-of-man-is-essentially/) [Maximilien Robespierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) [Explore all 35 Maximilien Robespierre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/) ## More Citizens quotes > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“The police ultimately pay the price for poor customer service when citizens become fearful of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-ultimately-pay-the-price-for-poor-customer-service-when/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Worship isn't destructive, Martin. I know that. I don't. I only know it's the core of his life. What else has he got? He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/worship-isn-t-destructive-martin-i-know-that-i-don-t-i-only-know-it-s/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I will stand up for is what I think is right and for the best interests of the citizens of the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/what-i-will-stand-up-for-is-what-i-think-is-right-and-for-the-best/) [Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/) Browse all 4,189 Citizens quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Death is not \"an eternal sleep!\" Citizens! efface from the tomb that motto, graven by sacrilegious hands, which spreads over all nature a funereal crape, takes from oppressed innocence its support, and affronts the beneficent dispensation of death! Inscribe rather thereon these words: \"Death is the commencement of immortality!\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maximilien Robespierre" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-efface-from-the-tomb-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizens" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-efface-from-the-tomb-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/maximilien-robespierre-18159_citizens_death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-e_2825223.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Death is not \"an eternal sleep!\" Citizens! efface from the tomb that motto, graven by sacrilegious hands…” — Maximilien Robespierre", "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": "Maximilien Robespierre", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilien-robespierre/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Death is not \"an eternal sleep!\"...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-efface-from-the-tomb-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilien-robespierre/death-is-not-an-eternal-sleep-citizens-efface-from-the-tomb-that/#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 } } ] } ```