“Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.”
- April 26, 121 – March 17, 180
- Roman Empire
- Roman Emperor
- Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he wrote “Meditations” and practiced ideal governance as a philosophical leader, and was later praised as one of the Five Good Emperors.
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Quote
“Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marcus Aurelius reflects on the inevitability of death and urges us to accept it as a natural part of life, rather than fearing or resisting it. He teaches that just as birth and all other natural processes are part of nature’s design, so too is death. Rather than despising or fearing the end of life, we should welcome it with understanding, recognizing that it is simply another phase in the natural cycle. By accepting death as part of the larger flow of nature, we can find peace and freedom from the anxiety that often surrounds it.
Aurelius, who faced the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death throughout his reign, knew that fear of death only distracts from living virtuously and in harmony with nature. The Stoic view on death is that it is neither something to dread nor something to chase, but rather something to accept with equanimity. This acceptance frees us to focus on what we can control—our character, actions, and responses—and live in a way that is true to our values. In modern times, where fear of mortality can cause significant stress or avoidance, this mindset can help us cultivate a life of peace, focused on the present moment.
In practical terms, this quote encourages us to reflect on mortality not with dread but with calm acceptance. For example, rather than obsessing over our own death or the deaths of loved ones, we can choose to focus on living each day with purpose and virtue, knowing that death is a natural part of existence. By welcoming death in this way, we are able to live more fully, free from the fear that often holds us back from embracing the present moment and pursuing what truly matters.
