“As a child, learn good manners,
As a young man, control the passions,
In middle age, be just,
In old age, give good advice,
Then die, without regret.”
– Inscription found in the Bactrian city of Ai-Khanoum in Afghanistan. Attributed to Clearchus of Soli, a student of Aristotle
3 Comments
Thanks for the quotation and the intro to this obscure character.
I think a fundamental choice to make in life is whether to be a Stoic, like this fellow Clearchus, or to be a Christian – which inevitably means dying “with regret,” and knowing one never fully reached any of these listed ideals in his various stages of earthly existence.
Hi Jason,
Is that really so? A Christian can’t die without regret?
(I’m not saying you’re wrong, but it seems worth exploring. In particular, it raises questions about what is possible for imperfect mortals, and what reasonable expectations are.)