Who said “Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is worth living is…”?

Verified

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech to the Bar Association of Boston, in Speeches (1913), p. 86.

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech to the Bar Association of Boston, in Speeches (1913), p. 86..

APA

Holmes, O. W. J. (n.d.). Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is worth living is whether you have had enough of it. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26715-life-is-an-end-in-itself-and-the/

MLA

Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr. “Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is worth living is whether you have had enough of it.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26715-life-is-an-end-in-itself-and-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr. “Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is worth living is whether you have had enough of it.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26715-life-is-an-end-in-itself-and-the/.

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