Guide to Enhancing Quality of Life: Tips and Strategies
In the heart of the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius, a man of extraordinary character and wisdom, faced a life filled with adversity. As one historian notes, he did not meet "the good fortune he deserved," yet his life, last words, and example continue to be a source of inspiration for understanding how to live and die well.
Marcus Aurelius's life and death serve as a model for living and dying with grace, strength, empathy, and the comfort of a good life lived as a good man. Despite the hardships, including a plague that devastated Rome during his reign, he strove to do right and be good.
His final moments were marked by weakness and frailty, aware that the end was near. In his last words, as depicted in his personal Stoic reflections, Meditations, he urged, "You've lived as a citizen in a great city. Five years or a hundred-what's the difference? The law makes no distinction. And to be sent away from it, not by a tyrant or a dishonest judge, but by Nature, who first invited you in-why is that so terrible? Do not use any prior context."
Eugène Delacroix captured Marcus Aurelius towards the end of his life in a painting more than 11 feet wide and 8 feet tall, painted in rich but dark oils. The painting depicts the Roman Emperor, with his son, who is unlikely to rule well, standing in the wings.
The study of Marcus Aurelius's life, last words, and example is crucial to understanding how to live and die well. His Meditations, a collection of personal Stoic reflections, end with profound personal reflections emphasizing acceptance of mortality and living virtuously.
Gregory Hays's translation of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a respected modern edition, but the exact final phrase as he rendered it is not included in the search results. To find the precise last sentence or phrase from Hays's translation, one would need to consult the last chapter (Book 12) of his edition of Meditations directly.
Marcus Aurelius was a student of the Stoics, and his life and death underscore the significance of living and dying well, emphasizing his example. His story teaches us about living and dying well, reminding us to accept death gracefully, live as if each moment were the last, and embrace fate calmly and virtuously. He avoided being "Caesarified" and dyed purple by the power of his position, a practice he referred to as "imperialization."
In summary, Marcus Aurelius's Meditations end with profound personal reflections emphasizing acceptance of mortality and living virtuously. Gregory Hays's translation is a respected modern edition, but the exact final phrase as he rendered it is not included in the search results. For the exact final words, consulting Hays's edition of Book 12, chapter 13, is necessary.
The interior-design of Eugène Delacroix's painting of Marcus Aurelius, portraying him towards the end of his life, effectively captures the lifestyle of the Roman Emperor during his final moments. The home-and-garden of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, a collection of personal Stoic reflections, teaches us about living and dying well, reminding us to accept death gracefully and embrace fate calmly.
