no man is an island (2024)

No man is an island is a phrase from a longer, often quoted literary work. However, the expression no man is an island may be considered a proverb in its own right. A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase that gives advice or shares a universal truth. We will examine the meaning of the expression no man is an island, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.

The phrase no man is an island means that no one is truly self-sufficient, everyone must rely on the company and comfort of others in order to thrive. As with many proverbs, often only the first line is repeated, as the writer expects the reader to supply the rest of the quote himself. The phrase is a quote from a sermon written by the poet John Donne. It is entitled Devotions upon emergent occasions and several steps in my sicknes—Meditation XVII, written in 1624: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…” Interestingly, within the same paragraph of this work are two phrases that are still often used: “…any man’s death diminishes me…” and “…therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne was an English cleric in the Church of England and was one of the metaphysical poets.

Examples

“We need to learn from each other because no man is an island,” Ms Dokoni said. (The Fiji Sun)

Just as no man is an island, no island is an island in this increasingly interconnected world. (The Royal Gazette)

Crack-Up serves as loosely defined concept album that explores the theme that “no man is an island” to varying degrees. (The Cornell Sun)

no man is an island (2024)

FAQs

No man is an island? ›

The phrase no man is an island means that no one is truly self-sufficient, everyone must rely on the company and comfort of others in order to thrive.

What is your best explanation of no man is an island? ›

No one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others. This saying comes from a sermon by the seventeenth-century English author John Donne.

What is an example of no man is an island? ›

Example Sentences

Having children has taught me that no man is an island. No man is an island, you know, you will need to call me back to work for you! I have fired my maidservant today but know that I will have to hire her back since no man is an island! You need to relook at the proposal that you have sent to me.

What is the full quote of no man is an island? ›

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man 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 manor of they friends`s or of thine own were. Any man`s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.

What do the last lines of No man is an island mean? ›

He speaks of “Each man's death” as diminishing him. He is “involved” in the workings of humankind. The last three lines directly address death and what it means when a new death comes to pass. He uses the image of a church bell tolling to symbolize death.

What is the moral lesson of no man is an island? ›

The phrase no man is an island means that no one is truly self-sufficient, everyone must rely on the company and comfort of others in order to thrive. As with many proverbs, often only the first line is repeated, as the writer expects the reader to supply the rest of the quote himself.

Do you agree with the saying no man is an island why? ›

The human brain is wired to interact with other human beings and we need to do so to keep us healthy. In conclusion, yes, it is true, no man is an island. No one person can survive on their own. People should learn in their lifetime to accept help from others and not to isolate themselves, for their own good.

What is your reflection about no man is an island? ›

In this poem the poets speak about humanity stating that a human being when isolated from others do not thrive. Once you decided living isolatedly for other person or group of person, you are definitely creating an island fir yourself. You're trying to cut off everything and you probably get sick for being alone.

What does no woman is an island mean? ›

“But really you only share yourself with others if you feel you're being respected.” Running with the concept, 'No Woman Is An Island' asserts the fact that all women contain multitudes, from the profound (“universes and river beds”) to the trivial (“Kardashians in swimming pools.”).

Who originally said no man is an island? ›

“No man is an island, no man lives alone.” These words from a poem by John Donne have been set to music and have become the theme of a variety of radio programs which are concerned with aspects of social responsibility.

What is the love quote from no man in an island? ›

The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”

How did the man on the island come to be there? ›

Answer: Three years ago, the man, Ben and his friends saw an island. Ben told them about the treasure on the island. They looked for it for 12 days but they didn't find it.

What is the name of the poem no man is an island? ›

In 1623, Donne suffered a nearly fatal illness, which inspired him to write a book of meditations on pain, health, and sickness called Devotions upon Emergent Occasions. "No Man is an Island" is a famous section of "Meditation XVII" from this book.

What does every man's death diminishes me mean? ›

Donne says that because we are all part of mankind, any person's death is a loss to all of us: “Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” The line also suggests that we all will die: the bell will toll for each one of ...

What does it mean when the bell tolls? ›

When a bell tolls or when someone tolls it, it rings slowly and repeatedly, often as a sign that someone has died.

What can you say about the song No man Is an island? ›

The song was based on John Donne's memorable quote “No man is an island.” The band's drummer explains it like this: “This song is about how we are not meant to do life alone. So often we go through life and struggles, trials and difficult times, or even great times, and we try to do it by ourselves.

What does island mean in no man is an island? ›

This page is about the saying "No man is an island" Possible meaning: Human beings do not (or should not) live in isolation. All people are interconnected. A person is not like an island, standing alone and surrounded by sea.

What comes to your mind about no man is an island? ›

Of course this quote refers to the fact that man is a social being and cannot exist without his fellows. No one is self-sufficient and everyone relies on the other for successful survival. Never is this concept truer than in a business setting, and specifically among teams within an organization.

Who says the no man is an island? ›

“No man is an island, no man lives alone.” These words from a poem by John Donne have been set to music and have become the theme of a variety of radio programs which are concerned with aspects of social responsibility.

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