(those) whom the gods love die young

Those who die at a young age do so because God or the gods want to bring them into everlasting happiness in the afterlife sooner than other people. Sometimes rendered "whom God loves…" to better fit with Judeo-Christian beliefs. The only way I can cope with horrible accidents like this one is to tell myself that whom the gods love die young. I know we are all grieving over the sudden and tragic death of Thomas. But although he will be missed, we should also rejoice, for those whom God loves die young, and Thomas is in heaven with our Lord right now.

Prov. Virtuous or gifted people die at an early age, because the gods want those people to be with them in the afterlife. So many brilliant authors and artists died before the age of fifty that it's easy to believe that whom the gods love die young.