"The constant recollection of death is the..." - Quote by Marcus Aurelius
The constant recollection of death is the test of human conduct.
More by Marcus Aurelius
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
“Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also.”
“If you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable.”
More on Mortality
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what's left and live it properly. What doesn't transmit light creates its own darkness.”
“My grandfather used to say: Life is astoundingly short. To me, looking back over it, life seems so foreshortened that I scarcely understand, for instance, how a young man can decide to ride over to the next village without being afraid that -not to mention accidents- even the span of a normal happy life may fall far short of the time needed for such a journey.”
“On limestone quarried near the spot By his command these words are cut: Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by!”