"Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go"
About this Quote
Jean de La Fontaine’s words evoke a profound acceptance of mortality, suggesting that true wisdom involves deep familiarity with the reality of death. The wise person does not recoil in terror or live in denial of the inevitable end; instead, such a person acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and prepares accordingly. This readiness is not rooted in morbid fixation but in a tranquil recognition that death is a natural, inescapable part of the human experience.
For the wise, living well entails coming to terms with impermanence. Rather than being caught off-guard by the finality of death, wisdom fosters a spirit of preparedness, gratitude, and completion. This mindset may prompt one to resolve regrets, cherish relationships, act with integrity, and savor the present. Life’s transience encourages the wise to prioritize what truly matters, allowing for a life marked by meaning and purpose instead of distraction or aimlessness. Being “ready to go” implies that nothing essential has been left unsaid or undone and that one’s life is in honest order.
Furthermore, this outlook offers a subtle critique of the common tendency to evade the thought of death. Many spend their days accumulating, competing, or worrying, only to confront mortality with fear and unpreparedness. The wise, however, reflect on death regularly, not as a source of dread, but as a guide for how to live more fully and authentically. This ongoing contemplation cultivates equanimity, reducing anxiety about the unknown and opening the heart to the beauty and fragility of existence.
By accepting death’s certainty and approaching life with an attitude of readiness, the wise embrace both joy and loss with equal measure. The end, whenever it arrives, holds no terror for those who are resolved and at peace, transforming mortality from a source of fear into an impetus for wisdom and serenity.
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