only the good die young

only the good die young

A phrase typically used as a source of comfort after someone has died at a young age. I know that only the good die young, but I'm still heartbroken to have lost my best friend—she was just 20 years old and had her whole life ahead of her! He was just the kindest person, and only the good die young.
See also: die, good, young
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(The) good die young.

Prov. Good people tend to die at an early age. Marshall's twenty-year-old son died in a car crash; it did not comfort Marshall to think that the good die young. Jill: It doesn't seem fair that Laurie is dead. She was such a wonderful person. Jane: They always say that the good die young.
See also: die, good, young
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • good die young
  • young once
  • you're only young once
  • at the tender age of
  • spring chicken
  • cut (one's) teeth in (something)
  • cut your teeth on something
  • sweet young thing
  • young
  • bright young thing
References in periodicals archive
And, yes, I can admit that requesting "Only the Good Die Young" at a Catholic Youth Council dance may have been shortsighted; but on other choices, I will not back away.
Daughter tunes me out
"They say only the good die young - David must have been very, very good."
I fear my boy's dead; AGONY OF MISSING STUDENT'S MUM
You will be missed mate, only the good die young, RIP mate."
A LEGEND WHO'LL LIVE ON IN OUR MEMORIES; Army pals' tributes
Some mourners wept as the lyrics of one of the songs - No One But You (Only The Good Die Young) - were played.
Hundreds turn out to pay tribute to murdered backpacker
Emma Featherstone wrote: "Grem, you were one in a million, we'll miss you, as they say only the good die young".
My soulmate
A card from Robbie Irving reads "Ross only the good die young, I will never forget you" and another which has not been signed says "Ross and Conor, friends on earth, friends in heaven, I'll miss you both".
Pals killed in bike tragedy
They say that only the good die young - it was certainly true with Serbelloni.
Letter: Farewell Serbelloni
In 1997, Queen released Only The Good Die Young - a tribute to frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 aged 45.
Don't stop at 70... keep having a good time; Queen drummer's birthday message: We'll all bite the dust, so live each day
There is a saying only the good die young and that is true in Suhail's case.
Too young to die - brother in tribute to crash victim
Cards with the flowers included messages such as "always in our thoughts, RIP Jonny, never forget all the great times we had when we were younger", and "It was a pleasure to know you, Know now why they say only the good die young".
TWO FACE CHARGES OVER FATAL BEATING; Heartfelt tributes to victim of retail park killing
At a special end-of-term school assembly yesterday, Emma's fellow pupils sang No-One But You from the Queen musical We Will Rock You - a song which includes the line Only The Good Die Young.
Tragic Emma honoured; School plaque recalls student's amazing talents
He also quoted a verse from Queen's song No-one But You (Only The Good Die Young): "One by one, only the good die young, they're only flying too close to the sun."
He had elegance and composure.. a joy to watch. A star player with a Rolls-Royce engine. R.I.P. Deano; DEAN RICHARDS 1974-2011
Piano Man was sung with the same gusto of 40 years ago before a roaring encore capped by Only The Good Die Young proved Joel is still a consummate showman.
STAYING IN or GOING OUT; Couch potato or gadabout town? We pick the best ways to enjoy yourself in the coming week
They say only the good die young. I'm not sure that is true, but Bob Hawke was only 76 when he died.
A good man leaves a fine legacy
Only the good die young. And Amy Winehouse is very, very good.
Oblivion beckons for Amy