On the intimations of our immortality
102:26
Book Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Book Description: The final volume of Seneca's moral letters. Common Stoic themes emerge again and again: the unreliability of fortune, the ability to form Stoic resolve, and the importance of virtue.
26.
That day, which you fear as being the end of all things, is the birthday of your eternity.
Lay aside your burden—why delay?—just as if you had not previously left the body which was your hiding-place!
You cling to your burden, you struggle; at your birth also great effort was necessary on your mother’s part to set you free.
You weep and wail; and yet this very weeping happens at birth also; but then it was to be excused—for you came into the world wholly ignorant and inexperienced.
When you left the warm and cherishing protection of your mother’s womb, a freer air breathed into your face; then you winced at the touch of a rough hand, and you looked in amaze at unfamiliar objects, still delicate and ignorant of all things.
Book: Moral Letters Vol III
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On the intimations of our immortality
Location: Chapter 102, Section 26
Content:
26.
That day, which you fear as being the end of all things, is the birthday of your eternity.
Lay aside your burden—why delay?—just as if you had not previously left the body which was your hiding-place!
You cling to your burden, you struggle; at your birth also great effort was necessary on your mother’s part to set you free.
You weep and wail; and yet this very weeping happens at birth also; but then it was to be excused—for you came into the world wholly ignorant and inexperienced.
When you left the warm and cherishing protection of your mother’s womb, a freer air breathed into your face; then you winced at the touch of a rough hand, and you looked in amaze at unfamiliar objects, still delicate and ignorant of all things.