proverb · Words worth keeping
The young may die; the old must die.
The young may die; the old must die.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The young possibly dying and the old necessarily dying contrast early death with eventual mortality. The saying stresses that age does not remove death from life.
Example
A reader considers shared mortality while respecting the value and differing circumstances of people at every age.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The paired may and must do not supply a timetable or prediction for a particular person. A responsible interpretation can reflect on mortality without suggesting older lives are less valuable or care pointless. The wording should not be used to rank whose loss deserves grief.
When to use it
Use it to discuss the mortality contrast without individual prediction.
Keep in mind
No lifespan forecast or diminished dignity of older people is established.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
United States
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- United States