How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.

The quote "How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset." by George MacDonald reflects on the inherent paradox of human fear toward death. MacDonald suggests that people tend to fear death, a natural part of life, despite the fact that it is as inevitable as the sunset. By comparing death to the setting sun, he proposes that just as we accept the end of the day without fear, we should also embrace the end of life as a natural, peaceful transition rather than something to be feared.

The origin of this quote is deeply rooted in MacDonald's philosophical and spiritual beliefs, which often centered around the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. As a writer and theologian, MacDonald was interested in the concept of eternity and spirituality, which is reflected in his literature. This quote challenges the conventional view of death as something dreadful, encouraging a perspective that sees it as an inevitable and even beautiful process, like the setting of the sun that marks the end of a day.

By likening death to a sunset, MacDonald invites people to reconsider their emotions towards it. A sunset is often viewed with awe and acceptance, not with fear, despite it marking the end of the day. In the same way, MacDonald suggests that the end of life can be seen as a natural part of a larger cycle, something to be accepted rather than resisted. His message is one of peace and acceptance, urging people to shift their perspective on death to one of quiet resignation and understanding.

Ultimately, this quote is a call to embrace mortality with grace. It invites individuals to reconsider their fear of death, suggesting that, like a sunset, death is not something to be feared but something to be observed and accepted as part of the natural flow of existence. It reminds us that life and death are intertwined, and that both should be approached with the same sense of wonder and acceptance.