Death Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Death when unmasked shows us a friendly face and is a terror only at a distance.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Good-Natured Man, 1768
When death is revealed, it appears friendly; terror only exists when it is distant.
In simple terms: Death seems gentle up close, scary far away.
Key Takeaway
Face death directly.
Themes
mortality
fear
perception
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- end‑of‑life care
- grief counseling
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears arise when you avoid thinking about death?
- How does proximity change your view of mortality?
A Different Perspective
Denial can mask the reality of death.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
