origin of 'anticipation of death is worse than death itself' (or derivative) Best answer on the web

Posted in: darrelrussell.com edit
07 Jan 2009
  • Hi, I'm trying to determine if there is a quote (by a recognised
    authority)running along the lines of 'anticipation of death is worse
    than death itself' (or some devivative such as 'fear of death is
    worse...'. Does it have someting to do with 'The Art of War'? Can you
    please provide information on who coined this phrase or is credited
    with the quote?
    thanks in advance, Cathal


  • Despite the fame and intelligence of the various sources cited for the saying, it is pretty meaningless. If by "death" is meant the state we are in after we die, then we have no idea whether it is better or worse than the fear of death, because no-one has ever come back to tell us. Indeed, it is that very uncertainty which makes many people afraid of dying - if they were sure death simply meant oblivion they would not be afraid of it. In fact, it sounds as though John Dryden and Francis Bacon were pretty sure that death DID mean oblivion, and they could therefore confidently say that the fear was worse than death itself.
    That said, what many people fear is not death as such, but the process of dying; and that, unfortunately, for many people proves to be worse than their previous fear.


  • Dear juniorbiano-ga,
    Thank you for your tip. Pleased I could help.
    Yes, there is a problem with the email notification service at the moment and the editors tell us they are working on it. At the moment it is best to keep checking back on any questions you have.
    answerfinder-ga


  • Nor,

    The sense of death is most in apprehension;
    And the poor beetle, that we tread upon,
    In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
    As when a giant dies.
    Measure for Measure. Act iii. Sc. 1.


  • Dear juniorbiano-ga,

    I believe you may be seeking the following written by Publilius Syrus, a writer of the 1st century BC .
    The fear of death is more to be dreaded than death itself.
    Maxim 511

    http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Publilius_Syrus
    http://www.bartleby.com/100/707.49.html

    These are some other similar lines.

    Death in itself is nothing; but we fear
    To be we know not what, we know not where.
    John Dryden
    http://www.bartleby.com/100/191.86.html

    Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other. Francis Bacon
    http://www.bartleby.com/100/139.4.html

    Other variations on the fear of death can be found on the links below.

    I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as soon as I receive it. Thank you
    answerfinder


    Search strategy
    ?fear of death on Bartleby.com
    http://www.bartleby.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/sitesearch?FILTER=col100&query=The+fear+of+death+&x=0&y=0 http://www.bartleby.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/sitesearch/+9wwFqGRrnahnwGadhamnwBrxzmAwwwmFqhqdc__nFqhqdc__ http://www.bartleby.com/cgi-bin/texis/webinator/sitesearch?FILTER=col63&query=The+fear+of+death&x=14&y=13


  • Once again, google answers comes up trumps! The delay in feeding back is due to the fact that I didn't receive the automated email reply when my question was answered. I'll be using Answers again (later on today, in fact!)


  • geof,

    The quote from "Hamlet" that was posted above by markvmd makes your point rather well.


  • Don't forget Hamlet!

    "...the dread of something after death,
    The undiscovered country, from whose [border]
    no traveller returns, puzzles the will,
    And makes us rather bear those ills we have
    Than fly to others that we know not of?"