A
CICERO saith, that to Philosophise is no other thing than for a man to prepare himselfe to death: which is the reason that studie and contemplation doth in some sort withdraw our soule from us,
A
The quote you refer to captures the essence of classical philosophical thought, particularly from the Stoic and Platonic traditions, which greatly influenced Cicero. To unpack this:
"To philosophize is to prepare for death"
- This idea originates from Socratic and Platonic philosophy, as echoed in Cicero’s works, especially his Tusculan Disputations. The notion suggests that engaging in philosophy helps one detach from worldly desires and fears, particularly the fear of death.
- Philosophy encourages the cultivation of reason and virtue, which align the soul with higher truths and eternal values, making the eventual separation from the body (death) less terrifying.
"Studie and contemplation doth in some sort withdraw our soule from us"
- Study and contemplation, by focusing on abstract truths and eternal principles, are seen as exercises that transcend the physical and mundane aspects of life. They "withdraw" the soul from its immediate attachments to the material world, preparing it for its ultimate detachment at death.
- Plato, in his dialogue Phaedo, describes this process as a rehearsal for death, where the soul gradually frees itself from the distractions of bodily pleasures and pains.
A
A
RD BK BRROWS OF UIME
A
No comments:
Post a Comment