Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.

Meaning of the quote

These people were not afraid to die. They were suffering so much that they just wanted the pain to stop.

About Jack Kevorkian

Jack Kevorkian, a controversial American pathologist, publicly championed the right of terminally ill patients to die by physician-assisted suicide. He was nicknamed “Dr. Death” and was convicted of murder in 1999 for his role in the voluntary euthanasia of a man with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

More about the author

More quotes from Jack Kevorkian

Let’s hope you feel better now.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

She made the decision that her existence had lost its meaning. And you cannot judge that.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

My religion centers in different areas than what’s considered conventional religion.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Five to six thousand people die every year waiting for organs, but nobody cares.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Listen, when you take my liberty away, you’ve taken away more-something more precious than life. I mean, what good is a life without liberty? Huh? None.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I’d find it demeaning to be cleaning toilets.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

There is nothing anyone can do anyway. The public has no power. The government knows I’m not a criminal. The parole board knows I’m not a criminal. The judge knows I’m not a criminal.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

First of all, do any of you here think it’s a crime to help a suffering human end his agony? Any of you think it is? Say so right now. Well, then, what are we doing here?

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

The Supreme Court of the United States… has validated the Nazi method of execution in… concentration camps, starving them to death.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Maybe I won’t stay out of prison. Who knows?

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I didn’t do this for other people; I did this for me. I fought for this right for me – does that sound selfish?

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

As a medical doctor, it is my duty to evaluate the situation with as much data as I can gather and as much expertise as I have and as much experience as I have to determine whether or not the wish of the patient is medically justified.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I will admit, like Socrates and Aristotle and Plato and some other philosophers, that there are instances where the death penalty would seem appropriate.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Rotten travesty. Yeah. Send me to jail for contempt. Try that. Go ahead.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

When your conscience says law is immoral, don’t follow it.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I gambled and I lost. I failed in securing my options for this choice for myself, but I succeeded in verifying the Dark Age is still with us.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

The patient decides when it’s best to go.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

The patient’s autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary – the decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

You can cite me for contempt, Your Honor. I don’t care.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Look at the forces against me. They don’t want me out. They’re afraid I’ll cause trouble if I get out.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I’m doing.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That’s not a smile.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

The American people are sheep. They’re comfortable, rich, working. It’s like the Romans, they’re happy with bread and their spectator sports. The Super Bowl means more to them than any right.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

There’s no doubt I expect to die in prison.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

What are friends? Some people are nice. Some people aren’t. There are some I’m fairly close with… we talk.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

None of them want to delay. Understand that. None of them.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I don’t persuade to suicide.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

This is not a trial. This is a lynching. There is no law.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

A transfer of money should never be involved in this profound situation. Although illness is profound, too, but medicine’s a business today. It’s a business.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

You’re basing your laws and your whole outlook on natural life on mythology. It won’t work. That’s why you have all these problems in the world. Name them: India, Pakistan, Ireland. Name them-all these problems. They’re all religious problems.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Am I a criminal? The world knows I’m not a criminal. What are they trying to put me in jail for? You’ve lost common sense in this society because of religious fanaticism and dogma.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

All the big powers they’ve silenced me. So much for free speech and choice on this fundamental human right.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

When history looks back, it will prove what I’ll die knowing.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I’m for absolute autonomy of the individual, and an adult, competent woman has absolute autonomy. It’s her choice.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I don’t enjoy good food. I don’t enjoy flashy cars. I don’t care if I live in a dump. I don’t enjoy good clothes. This is the best I’ve dressed in months.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

I will go to what they call a court. Only they call it a court.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

It’s the boredom that kills you. You read until you’re tired of that. You do crossword puzzles until you’re tired of that. This is torture. This is mental torture.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)

Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.

Jack Kevorkian

American pathologist, euthanasia activist (1928-2011)