--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that we die is what makes what…" description: "\"“The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we do it with matter.”\" — Todd May" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg" --- # The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we… ![“The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we do it with matter.” quote by Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg) > ““The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we do it with matter.”” [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our mortality gives significance to our actions and relationships, making them matter. **In simple terms:** Death gives meaning to what we do and who we are with. Key Takeaway Live meaningfully, valuing relationships. Themes existentialism meaning relationships Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal decisions - friendships - career choices - health decisions Key Concepts mortality authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of death shape your choices? - What relationships matter most to you? A Different Perspective Focusing on death may cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ## Related quotes > [A name makes no matter to me, as long as I can call you my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-name-makes-no-matter-to-me-as-long-as-i-can-call-you-my-own/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's the wanting to know that makes us matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/it-s-the-wanting-to-know-that-makes-us-matter/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [It's a tragic fact to die in an accident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/it-s-a-tragic-fact-to-die-in-an-accident/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [“The tedious never die; that's what makes them tedious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/the-tedious-never-die-that-s-what-makes-them-tedious/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [The fact that all of us die anyway (the rumor turns out to be true) is a mere detail in the celestial glow of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-gold/the-fact-that-all-of-us-die-anyway-the-rumor-turns-out-to-be-true-is/) [Herbert Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-gold/) > [It's sad when our daddies die. Makes us one less person inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-ribon/it-s-sad-when-our-daddies-die-makes-us-one-less-person-inside/) [Pamela Ribon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-ribon/) > [Vampire fad just won't die. Makes sense, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/vampire-fad-just-won-t-die-makes-sense-i-guess/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [“It is a remarkable fact that we must die, and yet we live as if we were to live forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guicciardini/it-is-a-remarkable-fact-that-we-must-die-and-yet-we-live-as-if-we/) Guicciardini > [The fact of the matter is, it's hard to find good movies, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-kaye-thomas/the-fact-of-the-matter-is-it-s-hard-to-find-good-movies-period/) [Eddie Kaye Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-kaye-thomas/) > [The fact of the matter is that the Internet has brought together millions of people who trust one another for reasons that are unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-huh/the-fact-of-the-matter-is-that-the-internet-has-brought-together/) [Ben Huh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-huh/) > [A warrior, or any man for that matter, cannot possibly wish he were somewhere else; a warrior because he lives by challenge, an ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/a-warrior-or-any-man-for-that-matter-cannot-possibly-wish-he-were/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [They say a man doesn't know himself until he faces death for the first time. . . I don't know about that. It seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/they-say-a-man-doesn-t-know-himself-until-he-faces-death-for-the/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [I guess on one hand I believe it doesn't matter if there is life after death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/i-guess-on-one-hand-i-believe-it-doesn-t-matter-if-there-is-life/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [well, death says, as he walks by, I'm going to get you anyhow no matter what you've been: writer, cab-driver, pimp, butcher, sky-diver, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/well-death-says-as-he-walks-by-i-m-going-to-get-you-anyhow-no-matter/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [We released 400,000 classified documents, the most extraordinary history of a war to ever have been released in our civilization. Those documents cover 109,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/we-released-400-000-classified-documents-the-most-extraordinary/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) ## More by Todd May > [I don't want to say that the creativity would give out - I can't imagine what argument I would bring forward for that. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/i-don-t-want-to-say-that-the-creativity-would-give-out-i-can-t/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [If you're immortal, you can imagine being sad or grieving if a lover leaves you. But if everyone were immortal, then that leaving isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/if-you-re-immortal-you-can-imagine-being-sad-or-grieving-if-a-lover/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [One of the things that makes the uncertainty of death so difficult for us is that we could be involved in a project and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/one-of-the-things-that-makes-the-uncertainty-of-death-so-difficult/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [One of the things that's crucial to me about love is that it has to be in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/one-of-the-things-that-s-crucial-to-me-about-love-is-that-it-has-to/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [“I would like to make a bold claim right here at the outset: the fact that we die is the most important fact about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/i-would-like-to-make-a-bold-claim-right-here-at-the-outset-the-fact/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [To live in the moment and in the future at the same time would seem to me to be the trick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/to-live-in-the-moment-and-in-the-future-at-the-same-time-would-seem/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [Different development itself runs the threat of making life shapeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/different-development-itself-runs-the-threat-of-making-life-shapeless/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) > [Love is not a promissory note.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/love-is-not-a-promissory-note/) [Todd May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) [Explore all 9 Todd May quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. 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He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we do it with matter.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Todd May" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what-we-do-and-who-we-do-it-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what-we-do-and-who-we-do-it-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e08/todd-may-43287_death_the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what_346921.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fact that we die is what makes what we do and who we do it with matter.” — Todd May", "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": "Todd May", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-may/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The fact that we die is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what-we-do-and-who-we-do-it-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-may/the-fact-that-we-die-is-what-makes-what-we-do-and-who-we-do-it-with/#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 } } ] } ```