The best of men cannot suspend their fate: The good die early, and the bad die late.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that even the most amazing people cannot stop what is meant to happen to them. Good people tend to die sooner, while bad people often live longer. No matter who you are, you can't control when you die.

About Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe was an English writer known for his novel Robinson Crusoe, which is one of the most translated books after the Bible. He was a prolific and versatile writer who produced over 300 works on various topics, including politics, crime, and economics.

More about the author

More quotes from Daniel Defoe

Vice came in always at the door of necessity, not at the door of inclination.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

An Englishman will fairly drink as much As will maintain two families of Dutch.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

Pride the first peer and president of hell.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

As covetousness is the root of all evil, so poverty is the worst of all snares.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

The best of men cannot suspend their fate: The good die early, and the bad die late.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

All men would be tyrants if they could.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

Necessity makes an honest man a knave.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

In trouble to be troubled, Is to have your trouble doubled.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

Nature has left this tincture in the blood, That all men would be tyrants if they could.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

It is better to have a lion at the head of an army of sheep, than a sheep at the head of an army of lions.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

‘Tis no sin to cheat the devil.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

He that is rich is wise.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist

All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.

Daniel Defoe

English trader, writer, and journalist