Cicero - Death Quotes

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After death the sensation is either pleasant or there is none at all. But this should be thought on from our youth up, so that we may be indifferent to death, and without this thought no one can be in a tranquil state of mind. For it is certain that we must die, and, for aught we know, this very day. Therefore, since death threatens every hour, how can he who fears it have any steadfastness of soul?

Cicero
Death is not natural for a state as it is for a human being, for whom death is not only necessary, but frequently even desirable.

Cicero
And, indeed, when I reflect on this subject I find four reasons why old age appears to be unhappy: first, that it withdraws us from active pursuits; second, that it makes the body weaker; third, that it deprives us of almost all physical pleasures; and, fourth, that it is not far removed from death.

Cicero
When the young die I am reminded of a strong flame extinguished by a torrent; but when old men die it is as if a fire had gone out without the use of force and of its own accord, after the fuel had been consumed; and, just as apples when they are green are with difficulty plucked from the tree, but when ripe and mellow fall of themselves, so, with the young, death comes as a result of force, while with the old it is the result of ripeness.

Cicero
The nearer I approach death the more I feel like one who is in sight of land at last and is about to anchor in one's home port after a long voyage.

Cicero
Death is dreadful to the man whose all is extinguished with his life; but not to him whose glory never can die.

Cicero
The recovery of freedom is so splendid a thing that we must not shun even death when seeking to recover it.

Cicero