(독서) Daily Stoic 12월 6일 THE SWORD DANGLES OVER YOU




"Don't behave as if you are destined to live forever. What's fated hangs over you. As long as you live and while you can, become good now."-MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.17
(“영원히 살 것처럼 행동하지 마십시오. 운명은 당신 위에 드리워져 있습니다. 살아 있는 동안, 그리고 가능할 때, 지금 당장 선량해지십시오.” - 마르쿠스 아우렐리우스, 명상록 4.17)
There is an ancient story of a courtier who had made light of the responsibilities of his king. To prove he was mistaken, the king arranged to switch places with the courtier so he could experience what it was like to be a king. The king made one other adjustment: he hung a sword by a hair over the throne to illustrate the peril and burden of kingship as well as the constant fear of assassination. We call that dangling reminder of death and difficulty the Sword of Damocles.
The reality is that a similar sword hangs over all of us-life can be taken from us at any moment. And that threat can send us in one of two directions: we can fear and...