# Quotes about life - Quotes: 34 - Authors: 17 - Narrower topics: [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life ## Quotes > How could one create life with someone who represented death? [Erica Jong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong.md) · [How to Save Your Own Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong/how-to-save-your-own-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong/how-to-save-your-own-life/how-could-one.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > I'm just trying to lead my own fucking life if I can manage to find it in all this confusion. [Erica Jong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong.md) · [Fear of Flying](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong/fear-of-flying.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erica-jong/fear-of-flying/im-just-trying.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > He thought human life a poor thing at best, after the freshness of youth and of unsatisfied curiosity had gone by. This was a topic on which he did not often speak, especially, it may be supposed, in the presence of young persons: but when he did, it was with an air of settled and profound conviction. He would sometimes say, that if life were made what it might be, by good government and good education, it would be worth having: but he never spoke with anything like enthusiasm even of that possibility. Autobiography · p. 48 Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md) > So he was a little more callous than the rest of the world’s billions. But not much. Every voter had a bit of the organlegger in him. In voting the death penalty for so many crimes, the law makers had only bent to pressure from the voters. There was a spreading lack of respect for life, the evil side of transplant technology. The good side was a longer life for everyone. One condemned criminal could save a dozen deserving lives. Who could complain about that? [Larry Niven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven.md) · [Flatlander](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/flatlander.md) · p. 34 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/flatlander/so-he-was.md) Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Once when Isaac and I talked about old age, illness, and death, he said it wasn’t so terrible to get sick and old and to die if you’ve been part of life completing itself as a pattern. Even if you don’t make it to old age, it’s still worthwhile, there’s still pleasure in that vision of being part of the pattern of life—especially a pattern expressed in creativity and shared in love. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 562 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/once-when-isaac.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md) > To us, all life is a series of accidents to be met with improvisations. To them, all life is purposive and should be met with precalculation. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [Second Foundation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/second-foundation.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/second-foundation/to-us-all.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > For what is life but organized energy? [Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [The Collected Stories Of Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke.md) · p. 656 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke/for-what-is-life.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > It was good to be alive; it was better to be young; it was best of all to be in love. [Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [The Collected Stories Of Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke.md) · p. 284 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke/it-was-good.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > He had discharged his destiny; now, perhaps, he could begin to live. [Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [The City And The Stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-city-and-the-stars.md) · p. 187 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-city-and-the-stars/he-had-discharged.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md) > One feels that [in Knossos, c. 1500 B.C.] man […] was religious in the only way which is becoming to man, by making the most of everything that comes to hand, by extracting the utmost of life from every passing minute. The Colossus of Maroussi · p. 121 Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > The secret story is the one we'll never know, although we're living it from day to day, thinking we're alive, thinking we've got it all under control and the stuff we overlook doesn't matter. But every single damn thing matters! Only we don't realize. We just tell ourselves that art runs on one track and life, our lives, on another, and we don't realize that's a lie. Last Evenings On Earth Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md) > We never stop reading, although every book comes to an end, just as we never stop living, although death is certain. Last Evenings On Earth Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [reading](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reading.md) > In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all the lighter things in life, which are the most important things, are put down. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Before I was shot [June, 1968], I always thought that I was more half-there than all-there - I always suspected that I was watching TV instead of living life. People sometimes say that the way things happen in the movies is unreal, but actually it's the way things happen to you in life that's unreal. The movies make emotions look so strong and real, whereas when things really do happen to you, it's like watching television - you don't feel anything. Right when I was being shot and ever since, I knew that I was watching television. The channels switch, but it's all television. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Sometimes you're invited to a big ball and for months you think about how glamorous and exciting it's going to be. Then you fly to Europe and you go to the ball and when you think back on it a couple of months later what you remember is maybe the car ride to the ball, you can't remember the ball at all. Sometimes the little times you don't think are anything while they're happening turn out to be what marks a whole period of your life. I should have been dreaming for months about the car ride to the ball and getting dressed for the car ride, and buying my ticket to Europe so I could take the car ride. Then, who knows, maybe I could have remembered the ball. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/memory.md) > I suppose I have a really loose interpretation of "work" because I think that just being alive is so much work at something you don't always want to do. Being born is like being kidnapped. And then sold into slavery. People are working every minute. The machinery is always going. Even when you sleep. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md) > In fact, safety has no place anywhere. Everything that's fun in life is dangerous. Horse races, for instance, are very dangerous. But attempt to design a safe horse and the result is a cow (an appalling animal to watch at the trotters.) And everything that isn't fun is dangerous too. It is impossible to be alive and safe. Republican Party Reptile Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Let's not beat around the bush; I love life — that's my real weakness. I love it so much that I am incapable of imagining what is not life. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [The Fall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-fall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-fall/lets-not-beat.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > "In the light, the earth remains our first and our last love. Our brothers are breathing under the same sky as we; justice is a living thing. Now is born that strange joy which helps one live and die, and which we shall never again postpone to a later time." [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [The Rebel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel/in-the-light.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > He realized now that to be afraid of this death he was staring at with animal terror meant to be afraid of life. Fear of dying justified a limitless attachment to what is alive in man. And all those who had not made the gestures necessary to live their lives, all those who feared and exalted impotence — they were afraid of death because of the sanction it gave to a life in which they had not been involved. They had not lived enough, never having lived at all. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [A Happy Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death/he-realized-now.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md) > But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [A Happy Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death/but-in-the.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md) > It takes time to live. Like any work of art, life needs to be thought about. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [A Happy Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death/it-takes-time.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > It's better to bet on this life than on the next. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [A Happy Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/a-happy-death/its-better-to-bet.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > "You're a bitter man," said Candide. "That's because I've lived," said Martin. [Voltaire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire.md) · [Candide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/youre-a-bitter.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to "glorify God and enjoy him forever." Walden · p. 104 Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md) > The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. Walden · p. 10 Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours ... In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. Walden · p. 364 Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > One cannot live through a long stretch of years without forming some philosophy of life. As one journeys along he gains experiences and even some ideas. Accumulated opinions and philosophy may be more important to others than the bare facts about how he lived, so my ambition is not so much to relate the occurrences as to record the ideas that life has forced me to accept; and, after all, thoughts, impressions and feelings are really life itself. I should like to think that these reflections might make existence a trifle easier for some of those who may chance to read this story. The Story Of My Life Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > You gwyne to have considable trouble in yo’ life, en considable joy. Sometimes you gwyne to git hurt, en sometimes you gwyne to git sick; but every time you’s gwyne to git well agin. [Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [Adventures of Huckleberry Finn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/adventures-of-huckleberry-finn.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/you-gwyne-to-have.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > But men must know that in this theater of man's life it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers on. [Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/but-men-must.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn't come every day. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Pygmalion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/pygmalion.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/pygmalion/what-is-life.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [The Doctor's Dilemma](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/the-doctors-dilemma.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/the-doctors-dilemma/life-does-not.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die; and do not outlive yourself. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [The Doctor's Dilemma](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/the-doctors-dilemma.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/the-doctors-dilemma/use-your-health.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md) > [...] the art of life was the avoidance of the unattainable. [Saki](https://www.leafyquotes.com/saki.md) · [The Complete Short Stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/saki/the-complete-short-stories.md) · spoken by Reginald · Reginald · Reginald on the Academy · p. 11 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/saki/the-complete-short-stories/the-art-of-life-was-the-avoidance.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md)