Death Quote by Sam Harris
““If being prepared for death entails knowing when and where it will happen, the odds are you will not be prepared. Not only are you bound to die and leave this world; you are bound to leave it in such a precipitate fashion that the present significance of anything ― your relationships, your plans for the future, your hobbies, your possessions ― will appear to have been totally illusory.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Free Will, Sam Harris, 2012
Knowing the exact time and place of death is impossible, so preparation must focus on living meaningfully now.
In simple terms: Death is unpredictable; focus on present meaning.
Key Takeaway
Live fully now.
Themes
mortality
meaning
uncertainty
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
existential
When to use this quote
- relationships
- future planning
- hobbies
- possessions
- grief
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you find meaning without certainty about death?
- What present actions give your life purpose?
A Different Perspective
Preparation cannot eliminate existential anxiety.
![“Moderates in every faith are obliged to loosely interpret (or simply ignore) much of their canons in the interests of living in the modern world. [...] The first thing to observe about the moderate’s retreat from scriptural literalism is that it draws its inspiration not from scripture but from…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b44/sam-harris-457_bible_moderates-in-every-faith-are-obliged-to_6967.jpg)
