Message 37 of 403

For Whom The Bells Toll

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

John Donne

Ernest Hemingway made the last three lines famous.

I love this poem. Every line is rich in metaphor and meaning. I especially like Each man's death diminishes me,. And so it does.
MartiInMexico's profile
Many months ago, I had thought to post this, but then hesitated because, although poetic, it was part of a sermon, not a poem.

"Each man's death diminishes me"

I don't think I have ever met a person who believed this, let alone lived it.
searching1's profile

2 months ago
I agree with you Search , I certainly don't believe that each man's death diminishes me . There are many whom I actively wish to die , for I feel that the world will be made a better place by their dying .
Dirck's profile

2 months ago
I agree. Our only problem, Dirck, is that we most assurredly would disagree about who should be on that list.
searching1's profile

2 months ago
Perhaps not each man's death, but I certainly understand the line when thinking of the loss of my elderly relatives. The richness they brought to my life remains only in memories, and my daily life is diminished by their passing.
WVfarmer62's profile

about 1 month ago
If this were true, Darfur would diminish me (and you) greatly. Perhaps as a social strategy, it might not be a bad idea to induce this belief into our minds and souls. Then we might be motivated to do something.
searching1's profile

about 1 month ago
Well, it's rather vain to assume that there isn't something we could learn from each person. I think that perhaps that is what Donne has in mind, and why he refers to each man being a part of the continent. There is less knowledge in the world with the passing of each person. And, potential knowledge.
perpetualstudent's profile

about 1 month ago