No man or woman is an island. I among others have probably repeated this phrase a hundred times, not knowing that there is more to it. It comes from the 1624 prose work Devotions upon Emergent Occasions by the English poet and clergyman John Donne.  

“No man is an island, entire of itself; everyman is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

Broken down, Donne argues that no human is truly isolated. Instead, everyone is connected to the greater whole of humanity, like our individual body parts are connected. We can only live in the absence of a few parts. Is that why he made us with two kidneys, so we can share?

The latter part, “Bell Tolls” refers to the church bell, which historically signaled death. His point is that a person’s death affects everyone and we should not try to remain detached from such events. An event that affects us all. If we can help it, no one should be left to die alone.

The Bible does not directly contain the exact phrase “no man is an island,” but the concept is strongly supported by biblical teachings. “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7).

We are better together than we are alone. “Two are better than one, if either falls down, one can help the other up. And if two lie down together, they will keep warm.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).               

But with companions, we give and receive help. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. We are better together as God leads us. Before I go outside to work, and any other time I am alone, I ask God to be with me, and all those around me. When I forget, I notice a difference.