The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [72]
11. ‘For we are not suddenly smitten and laid low; we are worn away, and every day reduces our powers to a certain extent.’
12. But is there any better end to it all than to glide off to one’s proper haven, when nature slips the cable?
13. Not that there is anything painful in a shock and a sudden departure from existence; it is merely because this other way of departure is easy; a gradual withdrawal.
14. I commune thus with myself: ‘The showing which we have made up to the present time, in word or deed, counts for nothing.
15. ‘All this is but a trifling consideration, and is wrapped in much charlatanism. I shall leave it to others to determine what progress I have made.
16. ‘Therefore with no faint heart I am making ready for the day when, putting aside all stage artifice and actor’s rouge, I am to pass judgement upon myself,
17. ‘Whether I am merely declaiming brave sentiments, or whether I really feel them.
18. ‘Put aside the opinion of the world; it is always wavering and always takes both sides.
19. ‘Put aside the studies which you have pursued throughout your life; death will deliver the final judgement in your case.
20. ‘This is what I mean: your debates and learned talks, your maxims gathered from the teachings of the wise, your cultured conversation,
21. ‘All these afford no proof of the real strength of your mind. Even the most timid man can deliver a bold speech.
22. ‘What you have done in the past will be manifest only at the time when you draw your last breath.
23. ‘I accept the terms; I do not shrink from the decision.’ This is what I say to myself, but I would have you think that I have said it to you also.
24. You are younger; but what does that matter? There is no fixed count of our years. You do not know where the end awaits; be ready for it everywhere.
25. It is a wonderful thing to learn thoroughly how to die. You may deem it superfluous to learn a text that can be used only once;
26. But that is just the reason why we ought to think on a thing.
27. When we can never prove whether we really know a thing, we must always be learning it.
28. ‘Think on death.’ In saying this, we are bidding ourselves to think on freedom.
29. He who has learned to die has unlearned slavery;
30. He is beyond any external power, or, at any rate, he is it. What terrors has any experience of life for him?
31. This is the final consolation: that we will sleep at evening, and be free for ever.
Sages
Chapter 1
1. The master said: to learn and to practise what is learned time and again is a great pleasure, is it not?
2. To have friends come from afar is happiness, is it not?
3. To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is noble, is it not?
4. Each day I examine myself on three counts:
5. Whether I am loyal to those on whose behalf I act;
6. Whether I am trustworthy towards my friends;
7. Whether I practise what I teach.
8. In leading a state of a thousand chariots, respect the office and be worthy of trust.
9. Use resources wisely, love the people, do what is timely.
10. At home let the young behave with courtesy; in the world let them behave with brotherly love.
11. Let the young be prudent and trustworthy, loving the people and drawing close to those who are benevolent.
12. Without steadfastness, one cannot command respect, and one’s learning will not be sound.
13. If a person advocates loyalty and trustworthiness, he will always have friends who are his equal.
14. How does the master learn? By being gentle, kind, courteous, modest and patient. Such enquiry is different from all others.
15. What is a good person? One who does not seek to be satiated in eating, one who is quick in dealings, prudent in speech, correct in action.
16. The master said: ‘Like bone cut, like horn polished, like jade carved, like stone ground.’
17. Does this not tell us that ‘poor but happy’ is better than ‘poor but not servile’,
18. And ‘rich but benevolent’ is better than ‘rich but humble’?
19. Do not be concerned about others not appreciating