The Ancient Stoics and Memento Mori

“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”  Seneca

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Acceptance: Stoicism teaches acceptance of things beyond our control, and death is the ultimate example. Contemplating mortality helps Stoics foster a sense of serenity.

Focus on the Present: Stoics place great importance on living in the 'here and now.' The Memento Mori concept underlines the importance of making the most out of the current moment.

Virtuous Living: The awareness of death can motivate Stoics to live a virtuous life, aligned with their principles and values, as they understand that life offers a limited time for doing so.

Emotional Resilience: Stoicism aims to prepare us for life's challenges, and contemplating death is considered a form of mental exercise to prepare for life's ultimate challenge.

Detachment: Stoicism advises emotional detachment from external circumstances to maintain a sense of internal peace. The idea of Memento Mori complements this by helping people detach from material goods and trivial concerns, emphasizing what truly matters.

Legacy and Contribution: Stoics are often concerned with the welfare of the community and living a life that contributes positively to others. The awareness of mortality can heighten this focus on leaving a meaningful legacy.

Rational Decision-Making: Stoicism promotes rationality and clear thinking. Contemplating mortality can serve as a reality check that helps in making rational decisions based on what's truly significant. 

Excerpts from a posting by John Fenzel

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