Very soon, you’ll be nothing more than ashes or bones—maybe remembered by name, or not remembered at all. But even a name is just a sound, an echo. The things we chase in life—status, possessions, approval—are hollow, decaying, and petty, like dogs fighting or children arguing and crying. Meanwhile, virtues like loyalty, humility, justice, and truth have vanished from the world. So what keeps you here? The physical world is unstable and your senses can easily mislead you. Even the soul is just a fleeting vapor from the blood. Seeking fame or approval in such a world is meaningless. So why not calmly await your end—whether that means death or a transition to another existence? And until that time comes, what is enough? Simply this: to honor the gods, do good to others, and live with patience and self-control. As for everything else—your body, breath, and what lies beyond them—remember they are not truly yours and not within your control.
