And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods?
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
That the God-man died for his people, and that His death is their life, is an idea which was in some degree foreshadowed by the older mystical sacrifices.
For tis not in mere death that men die most.
God has put within our lives meanings and possibilities that quite outrun the limits of mortality.
It was the wont of the immortal gods sometimes to grant prosperity and long impunity to men whose crimes they were minded to punish in order that a complete reverse of fortune might make them suffer more bitterly.
How could you fear a dearth? Have not mankind tho' slain by millions, millions left behind?
In course of time, religion came with its rites invoking the aid of good spirits which were even more powerful than the bad spirits, and thus for the time being tempered the agony of fears.
To die, to be really dead, that must be glorious. There are far worse things awaiting man than death.
Fear not; and the God of mercies grant a full gale and a fair entry into His kingdom, which may carry sweetly and swiftly over the bar, that you find not the rub of death.
A man is a god in ruins. When men are innocent, life shall be longer, and shall pass into the immortal, as gently as we awake from dreams.
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.