On Remembering Death
8. For I must tell you what I myself think: I hold that one is braver at the very moment of death than when one is approaching death.
Simon Drew September 28, 2023
Menu
8. For I must tell you what I myself think: I hold that one is braver at the very moment of death than when one is approaching death.
“death stands so far beyond all evil that it is beyond all fear of evils.”
This is a great accomplishment, Lucilius, and one which needs long practice to learn, – to depart calmly when the inevitable hour arrives.
And in another passage: “What is so absurd as to seek death, when it is through fear of death that you have robbed your life of peace?” And you may add a third statement, of the same stamp: “Men are so thoughtless, nay, so mad, that some, through fear of death, force
For every day a little of our life is taken from us; even when we are growing, our life is on the wane.
Whichever of these ideas you ponder, you will strengthen your mind for the endurance alike of death and of life.
Do you suppose that I shall write you how kindly the winter season has dealt with us, – a short season and a mild one, – or what a nasty spring we are having, – cold weather out of season, – and all the other trivialities which people write when
“Poverty brought into conformity with the law of nature, is great wealth.”
“It is difficult, however,” you say, “to bring the mind to a point where it can scorn life.” But do you not see what trifling reasons impel men to scorn life?