Prepare for a humbling journey into the realities of life and death. Even the most celebrated figures have their critics waiting in the wings. With humor, the discussion dives into the importance of staying grounded, reminding us that no matter our success, there will always be someone rejoicing in our absence. Embracing Stoic philosophy is key to preventing ego from taking over. It’s an eye-opening reminder to cherish authenticity and humility before our time runs out.
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insights INSIGHT
Inevitability of Dislike
Some people will be happy when you die, regardless of how good a person you are.
This includes those who envied you, disliked you, or simply benefit from your absence.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Focus on What Matters
Remember the inevitability of death to keep your ego in check.
Focus on being true to yourself and kind to loved ones, without excessive concern for reputation or pleasing everyone.
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Here’s a humbling thought: Even if your life is amazing and successful, even if you mind your own business and are kind to everyone you meet, somebody, somewhere is going to be happy when you’re dead. Somebody who wants to buy your house, somebody who you pissed off in high school, an up and comer looking to enter the job market, some hater who doesn’t like your work—they’re going to smile when they hear the news that you’ve passed. At the very least, there are some worms who are going to be glad to get to work on your corpse.
It’s true for you and it’s true for everyone. It was as true for Gandhi and Mother Teresa as it is true for Anthony Bourdain and David Bowie and Kate Spade and the countless others who we say have left us too soon. Marcus Aurelius knew it would be true for himself, even though he was one of history’s few examples of a good king. As he wrote:
It doesn’t matter how good a life you’ve led. There’ll still be people standing around the bed who will welcome the sad event. Even with the intelligent and good. Won’t there be someone thinking “Finally! To be through with that old schoolteacher. Even though he never said anything, you could always feel him judging you.” And that’s for a good man. How many traits do you have that would make a lot of people glad to be rid of you? Remember that, when the time comes.
Really though, that’s something to remember now—hopefully long before your time comes. Because it helps prevent ego from creeping in. It prevents you from getting too caught up in trying to please everyone all the time. In a way, it’s a relief to accept that not everyone is rooting for us, and that no matter how successful we are, we can’t win over the whole world.
Be true to who you are, Marcus said. Be kind and caring to the people who matter to you. And don’t be too attached to life or your reputation, because, at the end of the day, we all get knocked down to the same level when we die. Whether we’re Alexander the Great or Mr. Rogers or a mule driver, we get buried in the ground and chewed up by bugs until there’s nothing left. And some people are glad to hear of it.
The Daily Stoic