Jack London crafted this statement two months before his death in 1916.
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."
-Jack London

I really like this!