Ruminations

The struggle is great, the task divine--

to gain mastery, freedom, happiness, and tranquility.

And tell me this: I must be absolutely sure.

This place I've reached, is it truly Ithaca?

There is only one thing I dread:

not to be worthy of my sufferings.

Through discipline comes freedom.

What and how much had I lost by trying to do only

what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?

Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free,

but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place, when in a crowd.

Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death,

so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction

that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather,

loved in spite of ourselves.