رسالة 4: On the Terrors of Death

Keep on as you have begun, and make all possible haste, so that you may have longer enjoyment of an improved mind, one that is at peace with itself.

You will indeed have joy in that improved mind, and will find such delight in it, even when the blessings that men consider great slip away from you or fail to reach you, such that nothing, yes nothing, will be able to prevent you from enjoying yourself.

But your joy will be unmixed only when you have become wise; for the true joy comes from wisdom, unalloyed by any sort of sorrow. That kind of joy never ceases nor changes into its opposite.

Until you reach this point, your condition will be unstable, even though you should seem to yourself to have advanced far. The majority of mankind alternate between joy and sorrow, often in a single day.

There is need, therefore, of constant progress, and you should never flag in your efforts. There is much still before you, and your own activity and effort are required. You cannot learn this from another.

But I can advise you of one thing: meditate upon death. He who has learned to die has unlearned slavery. He is above all external power, and certainly beyond it.

What are prisons, guards, or bars to him? His exit is free. There is only one chain that holds us fast, and that is our love of life; and while we ought not to reject this love altogether, we should moderate it so that, if circumstances ever require, we may be ready to leave at once without hesitation.

Farewell.

Go on as you have begun, and make all possible haste; that you may the longer enjoy a mind reformed and settled.

You will have pleasure indeed in such a mind, and find such delight therein, that though all things which men account great should pass away, or never reach you, yet nothing shall disturb your joy.

But your joy will be unmixed when you are wise: for wisdom alone affords a joy unmixed with sorrow, and that can never cease nor change into its opposite.

Till you arrive at this, your condition is unstable, though you may think yourself far advanced. The greater part of mankind fluctuate between joy and grief, often in a single day.

There is need therefore of continual progress; nor must your diligence slacken. Much remains to be done; and your own activity and industry are required. You cannot learn this from another.

I can but counsel you in one thing: meditate upon death. He that has learned to die, has unlearned to serve. He is above all power, and certainly beyond it.

What avail against him prisons, guards, or bars? His exit is free. One chain only holds him captive, and that is the love of life: which though we ought not wholly to cast off, yet we should so moderate, that whenever occasion requires, we may be ready for instant departure.

Farewell.