It's a powerful statement about the interconnectedness of humanity. Here's the breakdown:
* "The bell doth toll": This refers to a funeral bell, traditionally rung to announce a death.
* "for him that thinks it doth": This means that the bell tolls for the person who believes it's tolling for them.
The deeper meaning:
Donne argues that every death is a loss for everyone, not just the immediate family and friends. Even if we don't know the person who died, their death affects us all. This is because we are all part of a larger community, and each life is a part of that fabric. When one life is lost, the whole community is diminished.
Therefore, the phrase implies that:
* We are all connected, and each life is valuable.
* Death affects us all, even if we don't know the person who died.
* We should grieve for the dead, even if we didn't know them personally.
The line also suggests that the bell tolls for us all, reminding us that we are all mortal and that death is inevitable.
In essence, the phrase encourages us to recognize our shared humanity and to appreciate the value of every life.