- A man needs to realize that not only does his life pass by quickly every day, but also that if he lives a long life, he can’t be sure if his mind will remain sharp and capable for making important decisions or contemplating deep thoughts. True knowledge of both divine and human things relies on a clear mind. If he starts to lose his mental faculties, like understanding and judgment, he may still physically function well. But being able to use his mind effectively, make right choices, correct mistakes, control his thoughts, and even decide whether he should continue living or not, require the best mental strength and ability, which may diminish with time. So, he should act quickly, not just because he is getting closer to death every day, but also because his intellectual abilities, which allow him to understand the world and make wise decisions, are fading away.
- Like, you gotta peep this–anything natural that goes down has, like, this rad quality that’s super appealing and chill: like, a fat loaf that’s been baked, some parts of it split and come apart, giving it a rough and uneven crust, which, in a way, goes against the whole baking vibe, ya know? But even though those parts weren’t meant to be that way, they still totally work and have this unique kick that makes you wanna snack on it. Figs are considered most beautiful and ripe when they start to shrivel up, and olives are at their prime when they’re almost rotten. The drooping grapes, the lion’s mane, the foam of a wild boar, and plenty of other stuff, even though they ain’t really cute on their own, ’cause they happen naturally, they end up being pretty sweet and enjoyable. So, if a person, like, really thinks deep and checks out everything in the world, even all the little extras that come with nature, they’ll find something dope to appreciate anywhere, man. They’ll get just as stoked seeing the real snarl of wild beasts as they do when it’s painted by some pro artist. They’ll see the true beauty and awesomeness of getting older, whether it’s a dude or a chick: and anything else that’s pretty and captivating in anything, they’ll figure it out with pure and respectful eyes. They’ll spot those things and more, stuff that not everyone would believe, but only those who truly understand and vibe with nature itself, and all things natural.
- Hippocrates,1 like, healed a ton of people but then got sick himself and like, died. The Chaldeans and Astrologians predicted the deaths of others, but then got surprised by their own fates. Alexander, 2Pompeius,3 and Caius Caesar4wrecked a bunch of towns and killed loads of peeps in battles, but in the end they died too. Heraclitus5 wrote a bunch about the world burning up but ended up dying all gross and dirty. Lice took out Democritus,6 and Socrates’7 opps did him in. So yeah, what’s the deal? You’ve taken the ride, sailed the seas, landed, and now, like, either there’s gods in this new life or there’s no pain or joy, just peace. It’s all good, this body is temporary and basic, while your soul is way more rad, you know?
- Don’t waste your time thinking about what other people are doing and saying if it’s not related to something productive. Focus on what’s important and don’t let yourself get distracted by useless or negative thoughts. Be true to yourself, stay peaceful and sincere, and don’t get caught up in drama or envy. Keep your mind on things that matter and stay away from pleasure-seeking distractions. Be a strong and righteous person, living in harmony with yourself and others. Don’t worry about what others think or do, but focus on what you have control over. Embrace everything that comes your way with an open heart and stay true to your own path. We are all connected through reason and it’s important to care for others, but don’t seek approval from those who don’t live authentically. Know yourself and don’t let the opinions of others who don’t even like themselves affect you.
- Don’t do anything you don’t really want to do, or that goes against the group, and make sure to think things through and not be hesitant. Don’t try to sound all fancy when talking. Don’t be too chatty or take on too much at once. Also, let your inner God guide you and show that you are worthy of respect as a mature, social, honorable person who lives life to the fullest. Ready to move on to the next phase whenever it comes. Someone who doesn’t need promises or others to prove their integrity.
- To stay positive and self-sufficient, without relying on others for help or for peace of mind. Like someone who is independent, rather than someone who has been fixed by others.
- If you ever find something in this life that’s better than being righteous, truthful, self-controlled, and strong, and overall better than having a mind at peace with doing what’s right and reasonable, as well as dealing with things that happen beyond your control by fate; well, if you do happen to find something better than all that, then go all in on it with your whole being. Enjoy it wherever you find that best thing. But if you find nothing worth preferring to the spirit within you; if there’s nothing better than mastering your own desires and not giving in to any impulses or thoughts without careful consideration, nothing better than living modestly and being respectful to the gods and all people in general; if you realize that everything else is insignificant compared to this, then don’t give in to anything else. Don’t get distracted by anything that could lead you astray from pursuing what truly benefits you. It’s not right to let anything of a lesser nature, like popularity, fame, wealth, or pleasure, compete with what’s rational and genuinely good. Because if these things start to please you, even just for a moment, they can easily take over and corrupt your mind, leading you astray. So, wholeheartedly choose what’s best, and stick with it. And remember, what’s truly best is what’s most beneficial. If they mean useful for a person as a thinking human, go for it and hold onto it; but if they mean beneficial only in a material sense, then reject it. And always steer clear of any tempting appearances that might cloud your judgment, so you can see things clearly.
- Don’t ever think of anything as worth it if it makes you betray your values or compromise your integrity; or if it makes you hate, doubt, curse, pretend, or crave things that need to be kept secret. But if you prioritize your rational mind and inner values, and the virtues that come from them, you won’t feel regret or sorrow, won’t feel lonely or crave company. Most importantly, you’ll live without any desires or fears. Whether you live a long or short life, it won’t matter to you. You’ll be fine with whatever happens, because you’ve lived with honor and grace. All you care about is keeping your mind focused on what befits a rational and social being.
- Bro, a truly disciplined mind ain’t gonna have any shady stuff going on. No gross thoughts, no fake behavior, no grudges, no secrets. For someone like that, death won’t catch ’em off guard and leave things unfinished, like an actor croaking mid-performance.
- Use your thoughts and opinions wisely and with respect—this is what truly defines us. Ensure your opinions are grounded in nature and align with what it means to be a rational being. Being rational isn’t just about thinking clearly; it’s about avoiding reckless actions, showing kindness to others, and accepting life as it unfolds. Focus on these simple truths and remember that the present moment is all we truly have. The past is behind us, the future is unknown, and life itself is fleeting. Our impact is small, our fame short-lived, and what others remember of us will eventually fade. What matters most is how we choose to live right now, with integrity and purpose.
- Add one more thing to those constant reminders and keepsakes: always carefully describe and analyze every single thing that comes to your mind, so you can really think about it and break it down into its parts. Then, reflect on the true names and meanings of all the pieces that make it up. True courage comes from understanding everything that happens in life, uncovering its purpose, and seeing how it fits into the bigger picture. Ask yourself: how does this benefit the universe and humanity as a whole? How significant is it in the grand scheme of things compared to the individual? By doing this, you align your thoughts with reason and gain clarity on what truly matters.
- What is this? Why am I suddenly so drawn to it? What’s involved, and how long will this phase last? Which virtue should I focus on right now? Should I be meek, strong, truthful, faithful, genuine, satisfied, or something else entirely? The key is to think: this is from God, or maybe it’s just how everything connects, or even just a strange coincidence. If it’s from someone else, it’s likely because they don’t know better—but I do—so I’ll still treat them with kindness and fairness. And for the things that don’t really matter, I’ll act based on what I believe is best, staying grounded and true to what feels right in the moment.
- If you stay true to yourself, follow the right path, and focus on keeping your mind and spirit pure while staying dedicated without any distractions, then you’ll live a fulfilling life without anyone stopping you.
- Always keep your beliefs and knowledge readily available for any situation, just like doctors keep their tools handy for quick treatments. Remember the link between the spiritual and earthly aspects of life in everything you do. You need balance between these two realms to succeed in both worldly affairs and matters of the spirit.
- Don’t be fooled; you won’t live long enough to read your deep thoughts, or the stories of the cool Romans and Greeks, or those juicy excerpts from various books, all of which you saved for when you’re old. So hurry up and stop hoping for things that won’t happen. Get your act together now if you actually care about yourself, like you should.
- To steal, to flex, to cop, to chill, to peep what’s good (but not in a physical way, more like a vibe check): they don’t get it. The physical form, the spirit, the mind. Like how vibes are for the body, and feels are for the soul, so are the beliefs for the mind.
- To have fantasies and imaginations is common for both humans and animals. Being driven by strong desires and lusts is more like wild beasts and monsters such as Phalaris 8 and Nero.9 Following reason in daily tasks is also common for those who don’t believe in gods and would betray their country for their own gain; these are the ones who would dare do anything once the doors are closed. So, if everything else is common to these as well, it means that for a person to accept and embrace all that comes their way, without disturbing their inner spirit with pointless thoughts and ideas, but instead keeping it calm and obedient like a god, always speaking the truth and acting justly, that is the true essence of a good person. Even if no one believes that this person lives sincerely and ethically, or happily and contentedly, they wouldn’t be angry or distracted from their path to a fulfilling life. They would stay pure, always ready to move on, and willingly adapt to their fate without any external pressure.
- Hippocrates of Cos (460-357 B.C.), One of the most famous physicians of antiquity[↩]
- Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), King of Macedonia, and Conqueror of the East[↩]
- Pompeius, C. Pompeius Magnus, a very successful general at the end of the Roman Republic (106-48 B.C.)
[↩] - Gaius Caesar (20 B.C. – 4 A.D.) was a grandson and heir to the throne of Roman emperor Augustus, alongside his younger brother Lucius Caesar.[↩]
- Heraclitus of Ephesus, who lived in the 6th century B.C. He wrote on philosophy and natural science.[↩]
- Democritus of Abdera (460-361 B.C.), celebrated as the ‘laughing philosopher,’ whose constant thought was ‘What fools these mortals be.’ He invented the Atomic Theory.[↩]
- Socrates (469-399 B.C.), an Athenian philosopher, founder of the dialectic method. Put to death on a trumped-up charge by his countrymen.[↩]
- Phalaris was a tyrannical ruler of Akragas (now Agrigento) in Sicily from approximately 570 to 554 BC. He was infamous for his cruelty, among his alleged atrocities was cannibalism.[↩]
- Nero was the 5th Roman emperor and reigning from AD 54 until his death in AD 68. He was described as tyrannical, self-indulgent, and debauched.
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