Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

84 Interesting Quotes By Jack Kevorkian, The Advocate Of Assisted Suicide

Famous As: American pathologist
Born On: May 26, 1928
Died On: June 3, 2011
Born In: Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Died At Age: 83

Jack Kevorkian was a well-known American pathologist and euthanasia activist. Jack is best remembered for his support and advocacy of a terminally ill patient's right to die. Portrayed in media s 'Dr. Death', he is said to have helped at least 130 patients towards that end. He was a controversial figure by many hail him as a hero as he gave a lot of momentum to the demand terminally ill patients to die. Kevorkian was arrested in 1999 for his involvement in a case of voluntary euthanasia. He was convicted of murder and served eight years in jail; he was released on June 1, 2007, but with a condition that he would not offer any advice nor associate himself with any type of suicide involving euthanasia. Jack was also an oil painter and a jazz musician. Since he supported a cause which was very controversial, he wrote, spoke and shared his views and thoughts on voluntary euthanasia. He spoke his mind about the issues close to his heart. We have curated his quotes and thoughts on several subjects from various sources. Here is our collection of Jack Kevorkian quotes and sayings.

Listed In:
Dying is not a crime.

Dying is not a crime.

Jack Kevorkian
When your conscience says law is immoral, don't follow it.

When your conscience says law is immoral, don't follow it.

Jack Kevorkian
My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.

My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience.

Jack Kevorkian
She made the decision that her existence had lost its meaning. And you cannot judge that.

She made the decision that her existence had lost its meaning. And you cannot judge that.

Jack Kevorkian

As a medical doctor, it is my duty to evaluate the situation with as much data as I can gather and as much expertise as I have and as much experience as I have to determine whether or not the wish of the patient is medically justified.

Jack Kevorkian
The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary - the decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants.

The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary - the decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants.

Jack Kevorkian
Everyone is going to die.

Everyone is going to die.

Jack Kevorkian
Yes, we need euthanasia, for certain cases where people are in comas or too immobile to even press a button.

Yes, we need euthanasia, for certain cases where people are in comas or too immobile to even press a button.

Jack Kevorkian

If you don't have liberty and self-determination, you've got nothing, that's what this is what this country is built on. And this is the ultimate self-determination, when you determine how and when you're going to die when you're suffering.

Jack Kevorkian
If Christ can die in a barn, I think the death of a human in a van is not so bad.

If Christ can die in a barn, I think the death of a human in a van is not so bad.

Jack Kevorkian
My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.

My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.

Jack Kevorkian
I will admit, like Socrates and Aristotle and Plato and some other philosophers, that there are instances where the death penalty would seem appropriate.

I will admit, like Socrates and Aristotle and Plato and some other philosophers, that there are instances where the death penalty would seem appropriate.

Jack Kevorkian
My aim in helping the patient was not to cause death. My aim was to end suffering. It's got to be decriminalized.

My aim in helping the patient was not to cause death. My aim was to end suffering. It's got to be decriminalized.

Jack Kevorkian
The Jews were gassed. Armenians were killed in every conceivable way... So the Holocaust doesn't interest me, see? They've had a lot of publicity, but they didn't suffer as much.

The Jews were gassed. Armenians were killed in every conceivable way... So the Holocaust doesn't interest me, see? They've had a lot of publicity, but they didn't suffer as much.

Jack Kevorkian
I've seen schizophrenics who are so hopeless, you couldn't cheer them, and their lives are miserable and they end up as suicides. That's not right.

I've seen schizophrenics who are so hopeless, you couldn't cheer them, and their lives are miserable and they end up as suicides. That's not right.

Jack Kevorkian
How can you regret helping a suffering patient?

How can you regret helping a suffering patient?

Jack Kevorkian
If a man is terrified, it's up to me to dispel that terror.

If a man is terrified, it's up to me to dispel that terror.

Jack Kevorkian
I don't enjoy good food. I don't enjoy flashy cars. I don't care if I live in a dump. I don't enjoy good clothes. This is the best I've dressed in months.

I don't enjoy good food. I don't enjoy flashy cars. I don't care if I live in a dump. I don't enjoy good clothes. This is the best I've dressed in months.

Jack Kevorkian
I always said all my life if I wasn't born and they gave me the question I'd say I don't want to be born.

I always said all my life if I wasn't born and they gave me the question I'd say I don't want to be born.

Jack Kevorkian
I knew I was getting into one of the most illegal things in the world. It was the right thing to do.

I knew I was getting into one of the most illegal things in the world. It was the right thing to do.

Jack Kevorkian
I have no regrets, none whatsoever.

I have no regrets, none whatsoever.

Jack Kevorkian
In quixotically trying to conquer death doctors all too frequently do no good for their patients' ease but at the same time they do harm instead by prolonging and even magnifying patients' dis-ease.

In quixotically trying to conquer death doctors all too frequently do no good for their patients' ease but at the same time they do harm instead by prolonging and even magnifying patients' dis-ease.

Jack Kevorkian
Despite the solace of hypocritical religiosity and its seductive promise of an after-life of heavenly bliss, most of us will do anything to thwart the inevitable victory of biological death.

Despite the solace of hypocritical religiosity and its seductive promise of an after-life of heavenly bliss, most of us will do anything to thwart the inevitable victory of biological death.

Jack Kevorkian
I don't crave publicity, you know.

I don't crave publicity, you know.

Jack Kevorkian
The law doesn't create a right.

The law doesn't create a right.

Jack Kevorkian
Freedom has a price. Most people aren't willing to pay it.

Freedom has a price. Most people aren't willing to pay it.

Jack Kevorkian
I would not want to live with a tube in my neck and not be able to move a finger. I wouldn't - that to me is not life.

I would not want to live with a tube in my neck and not be able to move a finger. I wouldn't - that to me is not life.

Jack Kevorkian
What I think a doctor should do is prevent disease, by any means necessary.

What I think a doctor should do is prevent disease, by any means necessary.

Jack Kevorkian
Many support what I am doing.

Many support what I am doing.

Jack Kevorkian
Liberty means more to me than life itself.

Liberty means more to me than life itself.

Jack Kevorkian
Fear controls you.

Fear controls you.

Jack Kevorkian
I hate to say this, but I'll repeat it: After death, all we know that you do is stink.

I hate to say this, but I'll repeat it: After death, all we know that you do is stink.

Jack Kevorkian
The law is cruel.

The law is cruel.

Jack Kevorkian
I think the Supreme Court does have the authority, which is not used, to declare a blanket right for all people, all adults.

I think the Supreme Court does have the authority, which is not used, to declare a blanket right for all people, all adults.

Jack Kevorkian
I suppose, if helping a patient die is killing, I suppose I'm a killer.

I suppose, if helping a patient die is killing, I suppose I'm a killer.

Jack Kevorkian
I am not a sentimental person.

I am not a sentimental person.

Jack Kevorkian
You've gotta know what death is to know life!

You've gotta know what death is to know life!

Jack Kevorkian
I'm not a romantic.

I'm not a romantic.

Jack Kevorkian
I'm not the kind of guy who has best friends.

I'm not the kind of guy who has best friends.

Jack Kevorkian
I can paint in jail.

I can paint in jail.

Jack Kevorkian
I'm not radical.

I'm not radical.

Jack Kevorkian
I'm trying to knock the medical profession into accepting its responsibilities, and those responsibilities include assisting their patients with death.

I'm trying to knock the medical profession into accepting its responsibilities, and those responsibilities include assisting their patients with death.

Jack Kevorkian
This could never be a crime in any society which deems himself enlightened.

This could never be a crime in any society which deems himself enlightened.

Jack Kevorkian
I want some colleague to be free to come help me when I say the time has come. That's what I'm fighting for, me. Now that sounds selfish. And if it helps somebody else, so be it.

I want some colleague to be free to come help me when I say the time has come. That's what I'm fighting for, me. Now that sounds selfish. And if it helps somebody else, so be it.

Jack Kevorkian
When history looks back, it will prove what I'll die knowing.

When history looks back, it will prove what I'll die knowing.

Jack Kevorkian
I gambled and I lost. I failed in securing my options for this choice for myself, but I succeeded in verifying the Dark Age is still with us.

I gambled and I lost. I failed in securing my options for this choice for myself, but I succeeded in verifying the Dark Age is still with us.

Jack Kevorkian
There is nothing anyone can do anyway. The public has no power. The government knows I'm not a criminal. The parole board knows I'm not a criminal. The judge knows I'm not a criminal.

There is nothing anyone can do anyway. The public has no power. The government knows I'm not a criminal. The parole board knows I'm not a criminal. The judge knows I'm not a criminal.

Jack Kevorkian
Five to six thousand people die every year waiting for organs, but nobody cares.

Five to six thousand people die every year waiting for organs, but nobody cares.

Jack Kevorkian
I'd find it demeaning to be cleaning toilets.

I'd find it demeaning to be cleaning toilets.

Jack Kevorkian
It's the boredom that kills you. You read until you're tired of that. You do crossword puzzles until you're tired of that. This is torture. This is mental torture.

It's the boredom that kills you. You read until you're tired of that. You do crossword puzzles until you're tired of that. This is torture. This is mental torture.

Jack Kevorkian
What are friends? Some people are nice. Some people aren't. There are some I'm fairly close with... we talk.

What are friends? Some people are nice. Some people aren't. There are some I'm fairly close with... we talk.

Jack Kevorkian
Look at the forces against me. They don't want me out. They're afraid I'll cause trouble if I get out.

Look at the forces against me. They don't want me out. They're afraid I'll cause trouble if I get out.

Jack Kevorkian
I didn't do this for other people; I did this for me. I fought for this right for me - does that sound selfish?

I didn't do this for other people; I did this for me. I fought for this right for me - does that sound selfish?

Jack Kevorkian
There's no doubt I expect to die in prison.

There's no doubt I expect to die in prison.

Jack Kevorkian
Rotten travesty. Yeah. Send me to jail for contempt. Try that. Go ahead.

Rotten travesty. Yeah. Send me to jail for contempt. Try that. Go ahead.

Jack Kevorkian
This is not a trial. This is a lynching. There is no law.

This is not a trial. This is a lynching. There is no law.

Jack Kevorkian
None of them want to delay. Understand that. None of them.

None of them want to delay. Understand that. None of them.

Jack Kevorkian
Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.

Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.

Jack Kevorkian
Listen, when you take my liberty away, you've taken away more-something more precious than life. I mean, what good is a life without liberty? Huh? None.

Listen, when you take my liberty away, you've taken away more-something more precious than life. I mean, what good is a life without liberty? Huh? None.

Jack Kevorkian
I will go to what they call a court. Only they call it a court.

I will go to what they call a court. Only they call it a court.

Jack Kevorkian
A transfer of money should never be involved in this profound situation. Although illness is profound, too, but medicine's a business today. It's a business.

A transfer of money should never be involved in this profound situation. Although illness is profound, too, but medicine's a business today. It's a business.

Jack Kevorkian
You can cite me for contempt, Your Honor. I don't care.

You can cite me for contempt, Your Honor. I don't care.

Jack Kevorkian
My religion centers in different areas than what's considered conventional religion.

My religion centers in different areas than what's considered conventional religion.

Jack Kevorkian
Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I'm doing.

Among doctors in general, I think more than half support what I'm doing.

Jack Kevorkian
The patient decides when it's best to go.

The patient decides when it's best to go.

Jack Kevorkian
I have a natural right to do whatever I want with my body... as long as it doesn't affect anybody else or any other property.

I have a natural right to do whatever I want with my body... as long as it doesn't affect anybody else or any other property.

Jack Kevorkian
First of all, do any of you here think it's a crime to help a suffering human end his agony? Any of you think it is? Say so right now. Well, then, what are we doing here?

First of all, do any of you here think it's a crime to help a suffering human end his agony? Any of you think it is? Say so right now. Well, then, what are we doing here?

Jack Kevorkian
Maybe I won't stay out of prison. Who knows?

Maybe I won't stay out of prison. Who knows?

Jack Kevorkian
Am I a criminal? The world knows I'm not a criminal. What are they trying to put me in jail for? You've lost common sense in this society because of religious fanaticism and dogma.

Am I a criminal? The world knows I'm not a criminal. What are they trying to put me in jail for? You've lost common sense in this society because of religious fanaticism and dogma.

Jack Kevorkian
We are all terminal.

We are all terminal.

Jack Kevorkian
All the big powers they've silenced me. So much for free speech and choice on this fundamental human right.

All the big powers they've silenced me. So much for free speech and choice on this fundamental human right.

Jack Kevorkian
Let's hope you feel better now.

Let's hope you feel better now.

Jack Kevorkian
The single worst moment of my life... was the moment I was born.

The single worst moment of my life... was the moment I was born.

Jack Kevorkian
The Supreme Court of the United States... has validated the Nazi method of execution in... concentration camps, starving them to death.

The Supreme Court of the United States... has validated the Nazi method of execution in... concentration camps, starving them to death.

Jack Kevorkian
I'm for absolute autonomy of the individual, and an adult, competent woman has absolute autonomy. It's her choice.

I'm for absolute autonomy of the individual, and an adult, competent woman has absolute autonomy. It's her choice.

Jack Kevorkian
What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile.

What looks like enjoyment is the sneer of contempt. That's not a smile.

Jack Kevorkian
I don't persuade to suicide.

I don't persuade to suicide.

Jack Kevorkian
I'm not lying to myself like most people.

I'm not lying to myself like most people.

Jack Kevorkian
The American people are sheep. They're comfortable, rich, working. It's like the Romans, they're happy with bread and their spectator sports. The Super Bowl means more to them than any right.

The American people are sheep. They're comfortable, rich, working. It's like the Romans, they're happy with bread and their spectator sports. The Super Bowl means more to them than any right.

Jack Kevorkian

Anytime you interfere with a natural process, you're playing God. God determines what happens naturally. That means when a person's ill, he shouldn't go to a doctor because he's asking for interference with God's will. But of course, patients can't think that way.

Jack Kevorkian

You're basing your laws and your whole outlook on natural life on mythology. It won't work. That's why you have all these problems in the world. Name them: India, Pakistan, Ireland. Name them-all these problems. They're all religious problems.

Jack Kevorkian

The American Medical Association says the humane way is to let people starve and thirst to death. If you did that to an animal, youd be put in jail immediately ... In the face of such insanity masquerading as authority, who wouldnt be strident?

Jack Kevorkian

Well, let's take what people think is a dignified death. Christ - was that a dignified death? Do you think it's dignified to hang from wood with nails through your hands and feet bleeding, hang for three or four days slowly dying, with people jabbing spears into your side, and people jeering you? Do you think that's dignified? Not by a long shot. Had Christ died in my van with people around Him who loved Him, the way it was, it would be far more dignified. In my rusty van.

Jack Kevorkian

I'm afraid of sudden death. I'd like to know I'm going to die. That's why death row wouldn't be so bad, although it's not pleasant. And cancer, inoperable, wouldn't be bad. That's not pleasant either. But to drop dead suddenly, it's hard on everybody else. My family, my relatives, my friends. It's just not a good way to go. I want to know I'm going to die.

Jack Kevorkian