WHAT is it to bear a fever well? Not to blame either God or man, not to be afflicted at what happens; to expect death in a right and becoming manner, and to do what is to be done. When the physician enters, not to dread what he may say; nor, if he should tell you that you are in a fair way to be too much rejoiced; for what good hath he told you? When you were in health, what good did it do you? Not to be dejected when he tells you that you are very ill; for what is it to be very ill? To be near the separation of soul and body. What harm is there in this, then? If you are not near it now, will you not be near it hereafter? What, will the world be quite overset when you die?
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iii. §10.
Acceptance of mortality as a fact frees us to live life to its fullest. The Swimmer's Moment comes to mind... seize life's every moment and squeeze every last drop of juice out of it.
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