Discourse 24: Regarding On Despising Death

Seneca Letter 24 On Despising Death

Required Reading: Letter 24: On Despising Death

“Not single is the death which comes; the death which takes us off is but the last of all.”

What is the worst that could happen? One may find himself facing death or imprisonment. Is there any other that a man or woman; a human being fears which could be exacted from another? With death, it could be a quick exit; with imprisonment—a solitary time of deep frustration; a taken away forcibly or unwarrantedly one’s freedom; and that in itself, could be worse than death for some people.

But what is all this talk about death? Why is it a topic of discussion? Well, it is certainly a part of life; and it must be seen as such, as we continue on our peaceful journey. As the writer states “Presume if something is to happen will happen” that way you are not unnerved by sudden erruptions in personal or social interactions; the world is set up as such; in every point in history, there has been scores of people who have come and gone by means of their own, or others; or by nature.

There is a sense of control that comes from being able to exit on one’s own terms; but how many of us are brave enough to do such a thing when the need arises. Yet, we fear death even when it could be best if we did the deed ourselves rather than let another have the glory. This scenario arises in states of heightened crises ususually during wars and or when one has reached a point of incurable agony.

There is a caution from the teacher to do away with the feeling of leaving the world because one is sick of living due to its monotony; a feeling that seems to affect even men of renown and reason; a feeling of one who has done what one believes he was put on earh to do; “completed the race”—yet, it is perfectly fine to keep living until.

There is a time when the existing could be a necessity; that is the only time one does so honorably; any other is premature and shows a weakened spirit; one must at all times be confident and reasonable even in death! Show that he is a master and have the last laugh of what most men; born of women believe is the greatest fear! Farewell!

Word of the day:
Satiety (noun): being glutted or overfilled; feeling of having too much of something; excess, surfeit. (The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus 2nd Edition).

Quotations:
“Why, indeed, is it necessary to summon trouble—which must be endured soon enough when it has once arrived…”
“…You will thus understand that what you fear is either insignificant or short-lived.”
“Is there any worse fate that any man fear than being burned or being killed? Name such penalties one by one, and mention the men who have scorned them.”
“See how much keener a brave man is to lay hold of danger that a cruel man is to inflict it…”
“Cato…Had provided these two requisites for his last moments—the first, that he might have the will to die, and the second, that he might have the means.”
“Fortune, you have accomplished nothing by resisting all my endeavours.” -Cato.
“We should strip the mask, not only from men, but from things, and restore to each object its own aspect.”

Questions:
1) What is your biggest fear?
2) Do you have a plan in conquering it?
3) What happens if you exit prematuredly? Would you at this moment count it as a loss?
4) Do you have a pre-plan?

Activities:
1) List all of your fears.
2) Rank them in order of greatest to the least.
3) Read Seneca’s Letter 24 again.
4) Ensure you have life insurance if you have a wife and children. If you are single, get at a minimum a burial coverage insurance.

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