No Man is an Island

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; 

It tolls for thee.

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 any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; 

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. 

Olde English Version 

No man is an Iland, intire of itselfe; 

every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; 

if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, 

Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, 

as well as if a Manor of thy friends or of thine owne were; 

any mans death diminishes me, because 

I am involved in Mankinde; 

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; 

It tolls for thee. 

MEDITATION XVII 

Devotions upon Emergent Occasions 

John Donne