--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My only fear is that I may live too long…" description: "\"My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg" --- # My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a… ![“My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg) > “My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contemplating mortality and the fear of outliving one's purpose. **In simple terms:** Fear of living too long. Key Takeaway Embrace purpose, not lifespan. Themes mortality purpose existential Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - health decisions - legacy building Key Concepts longevity meaning legacy Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning beyond years? - How do you balance ambition with finite time? A Different Perspective Longevity may bring unforeseen challenges beyond control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ## Related quotes > [“I eat; in fear, to live long enough… to eat until again!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrityunjay/i-eat-in-fear-to-live-long-enough-to-eat-until-again/) [Mrityunjay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrityunjay/) > [“You don't fear so you live, you live so you fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-miller/you-don-t-fear-so-you-live-you-live-so-you-fear/) [James Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-miller/) > [On the other side of the fear live your possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/on-the-other-side-of-the-fear-live-your-possibilities/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [I don't fear nobody, and that's how I live my life. I live my life with no fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-m-a/i-don-t-fear-nobody-and-that-s-how-i-live-my-life-i-live-my-life-with/) [Young M.A](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-m-a/) > [If you were here I'd never have a fear. So go on live your life. But I miss you more than I did yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/my-chemical-romance/if-you-were-here-i-d-never-have-a-fear-so-go-on-live-your-life-but-i/) [My Chemical Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/my-chemical-romance/) > [But this is a thing that I know--to live with fear is not to live at all. A man will die every moment he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/but-this-is-a-thing-that-i-know-to-live-with-fear-is-not-to-live-at/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [I don't believe in fear - I live my life without regrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-believe-in-fear-i-live-my-life-without-regrets/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I fear we may live to see another revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marshall/i-fear-we-may-live-to-see-another-revolution/) [John Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marshall/) > [“If you don't face you fear, you will have to live with it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-don-t-face-you-fear-you-will-have-to-live-with-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Forget safety. Live where you fear to live.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/forget-safety-live-where-you-fear-to-live/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There is the theory... that you live in two places: You either live in fear, or you live in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-keaton/there-is-the-theory-that-you-live-in-two-places-you-either-live-in/) [Michael Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-keaton/) > [But years hath done this wrong, To make me write too much, and live too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-daniel/but-years-hath-done-this-wrong-to-make-me-write-too-much-and-live-too/) [Samuel Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-daniel/) > [There appears to exist a greater desire to live long than to live well! Measure by man's desires, he cannot live long enough; measure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/there-appears-to-exist-a-greater-desire-to-live-long-than-to-live/) [Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/) > [ “There exists indeed an opposition to it \[ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college \] by the friends of William and Mary, which is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it-building-of-uva-jefferson-s/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[All religious sects\] dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight; and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversion… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/all-religious-sects-dread-the-advance-of-science-as-witches-do-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Dread quotes > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Smart people duck when they hear the dread announcement 'I'm going to be perfectly honest with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/smart-people-duck-when-they-hear-the-dread-announcement-i-m-going-to/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [In times of dread, artists must never choose to remain silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/in-times-of-dread-artists-must-never-choose-to-remain-silent/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/oh-i-m-being-eaten-by-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa-constrictor-a-boa/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/present-sufferings-seem-far-greater-to-men-than-those-they-merely/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [The advance of science spares us from irrational dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/the-advance-of-science-spares-us-from-irrational-dread/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [I think writer's block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-blount-jr/i-think-writer-s-block-is-simply-the-dread-that-you-are-going-to/) [Roy Blount, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-blount-jr/) > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [The psychological condition of fear is divorced from any concrete and true immediate danger. It comes in many forms: unease, worry, anxiety, nervousness, tension,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-psychological-condition-of-fear-is-divorced-from-any-concrete-and/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Back to the bad. Makes them mad. Say I won't . But you'll see it when I do. Don't have a clue? Well, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/back-to-the-bad-makes-them-mad-say-i-won-t-but-you-ll-see-it-when-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is a certain freedom in giving up all hope. One is no longer bound by the cords of dread or fear; you simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/there-is-a-certain-freedom-in-giving-up-all-hope-one-is-no-longer/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/why-exactly-are-we-so-frightened-of-death-that-we-avoid-looking-at-it/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Many live in dread of what is coming. Why should we? The unknown puts adventure into life. ... The unexpected around the corner gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-stanley-jones/many-live-in-dread-of-what-is-coming-why-should-we-the-unknown-puts/) [E. Stanley Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-stanley-jones/) > [When we think of globalization we are thinking in part of structures and institutions that have been developed over time and that have allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/when-we-think-of-globalization-we-are-thinking-in-part-of-structures/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Communism worked honestly by officials devoid of human frailties and devoted to nothing but the good of its slaves, would have certain manifest material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/communism-worked-honestly-by-officials-devoid-of-human-frailties-and/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) Browse all 813 Dread quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long-this-would-be-a-subject-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dread" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long-this-would-be-a-subject-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/thomas-jefferson-43_dread_my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long_971425.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.” — Thomas Jefferson", "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": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My only fear is that I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long-this-would-be-a-subject-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-only-fear-is-that-i-may-live-too-long-this-would-be-a-subject-of/#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 } } ] } ```