--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Death, when it approaches, ought not to…" description: "\"Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by surprise. It should be part of the full expectancy of life. Without an ever-present sense of death ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/muriel-spark-4228_approach_death-when-it-approaches-ought-not-to-ta_3202925.jpg" --- # Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by… ![“Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by surprise. It should be part of the full expectancy of life. Without an ever-present sense of death life is insipid.” quote by Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/muriel-spark-4228_approach_death-when-it-approaches-ought-not-to-ta_3202925.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/muriel-spark-4228_approach_death-when-it-approaches-ought-not-to-ta_3202925.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43b/muriel-spark-4228_approach_death-when-it-approaches-ought-not-to-ta_3202925.jpg) > “Death, when it approaches, ought not to take one by surprise. It should be part of the full expectancy of life. Without an ever-present sense of death life is insipid.” [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Death is a natural part of life that should be expected, not shocking, giving meaning to existence. **In simple terms:** Expect death as part of life. Key Takeaway Embrace mortality to appreciate life. Themes mortality acceptance meaning existentialism Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - grief counseling - end‑of‑life planning - daily mindfulness - creative expression Key Concepts nihilism existential awareness philosophical reflection Questions to Reflect On - How does acknowledging death change daily choices? - What does a full expectancy of death look like? A Different Perspective Life can feel meaningless if death is ignored. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Death Approaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-approaches-2071945/) [Death Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-life/) [Expectancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectancy/) [Insipid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insipid/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life / death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-death-2/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-present/) [Memento mori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memento-mori/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Sense Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-death-491079/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [“Without an ever-present sense of death life is insipid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/without-an-ever-present-sense-of-death-life-is-insipid/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [If I had my life over again I should form the habit of nightly composing myself to thoughts of death. I would practice, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/if-i-had-my-life-over-again-i-should-form-the-habit-of-nightly/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“If I had my life over I should form the habit of nightly composing myself to thoughts of death. I would practice, as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-burkeman/if-i-had-my-life-over-i-should-form-the-habit-of-nightly-composing/) [Oliver Burkeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-burkeman/) > [If I had my life over again I should form the habit of nightly composing myself to thoughts of death. 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For”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/my-sense-of-social-decency-has-been-more-developed-than-my-sense-of/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [The sense of death is most in apprehension.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-sense-of-death-is-most-in-apprehension/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Muriel Spark > [Contradictions in human character are one of its most consistent notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/contradictions-in-human-character-are-one-of-its-most-consistent-notes/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“They are demanding equal rights with us,’ says Mrs. Fiedke. ‘That’s why I never vote with the Liberals. Perfume, jewellery, hair down to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/they-are-demanding-equal-rights-with-us-says-mrs-fiedke-that-s-why-i/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Allow me, in conclusion, to congratulate you warmly upon your sexual intercourse, as well as your singing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/allow-me-in-conclusion-to-congratulate-you-warmly-upon-your-sexual/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [I see no reason to keep silent about my enjoyment of the sound of my own voice as I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/i-see-no-reason-to-keep-silent-about-my-enjoyment-of-the-sound-of-my/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [It is well, when in difficulties, to say never a word, neither black nor white. 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You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/one-s-prime-is-elusive-you-little-girls-when-you-grow-up-must-be-on/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“It's only possible to betray where loyalty is due”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/it-s-only-possible-to-betray-where-loyalty-is-due/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“The sparkle and morning-freshness of the shop, and the butter-conjuring girl, formed a mind-picture which accompanied the whole of my youth.(about the Buttercup Dairy)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/the-sparkle-and-morning-freshness-of-the-shop-and-the-butter/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [There was altogether too much candor in married life; it was an indelicate modern idea, and frequently led to upsets in a household, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/there-was-altogether-too-much-candor-in-married-life-it-was-an/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [Jealousy ... is an affliction of the spirit which, unlike some sins of the flesh, gives no one any pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/jealousy-is-an-affliction-of-the-spirit-which-unlike-some-sins-of-the/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [it never really occurred to her that literary men, if they like women at all, do not want literary women but girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/it-never-really-occurred-to-her-that-literary-men-if-they-like-women/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“The word 'education' comes from the root e from ex, out, and duco, I lead. It means a leading out. To me education is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/the-word-education-comes-from-the-root-e-from-ex-out-and-duco-i-lead/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [“- 'Poise is perfect balance, an equanimity of body and mind, complete composure whatever the social scene. Elegant dress, immaculate grooming, and perfect deportment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/poise-is-perfect-balance-an-equanimity-of-body-and-mind-complete/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) > [These years are still the years of my prime. It is important to recognise the years of one's prime, always remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-spark/these-years-are-still-the-years-of-my-prime-it-is-important-to/) [Muriel Spark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) [Explore all 114 Muriel Spark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-spark/) ## More Approach quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. 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