while there's life there's hope

Cf. [Theocritus Idyll iv. 42] ἐλρίδɛς ἐν ζωοῖσίν, there's hope among the living; [Cicero Ad Atticum ix. x.] dum anima est, spes esse dicitur, as the saying is, while there's life there's hope; also ecclesiastes ix. 4 (see a live dog is better than a dead lion). A more succinct L. version dum spiro, spero, while I breathe I hope, is part of the motto of South Carolina.

The sycke person whyle he hath lyfe, hath hope.
[1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus' Adages 36^V]

While there's life, there's hope, he cry'd; Then why such haste? so groan'd and dy'd.
[1670 J. Ray English Proverbs 113]

They lost, for a few moments, all idea of escaping. But‥‘while there's life there's hope.’
[1868 Reade & Boucicault Foul Play I. xi.]

But so far it's only the poor gentleman's clothes that have been found, isn't it? I mean, while there's life there's hope.
[1939 C. H. B. Kitchin Death of his Uncle v.]

I will be pleasantly surprised if corporate America acts on your ‘wake-up call’—but where there's life there's hope.
[1996 Washington Times 29 Jan. C14]

Related to: life; optimism

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

Also, where there's life there's hope. So long as someone or something ailing is alive, there is hope for recovery. For example, The company has survived previous recessions; while there's life there's hope. A statement made about dying individuals since ancient times, it was cited in numerous proverb collections from 1539 on. Today it is also applied to inanimate matters.