A reminder of the inevitability of death. The Latin phrase loosely translates as "remember that you will die". In philosophy, it is often cited as a reminder to live each day to its fullest, and prioritise what matters.
Reference: Marcus Aurelius, Meditations: "Consider in what condition both in body and soul a man should be when he is overtaken by death; and consider the shortness of life".
Reference: Epictetus, Golden Sayings: "What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble".
Insight: Death can come at any time. It is possible that your future plans do not happen. You could be wasting your life by only living for the future.
Insight: Death is inevitable. If we think about this fact regularly it can help focus us on the here and now, to live in the present.
Principle: Think regularly about the inevitability of death, and be present.
Principle: Do not hold off taking action, or doing what fulfils you.
Reference: In Montaigne's essays we see proof that one can meditate on death, but not be constantly morbid. Montaigne expressed a sense of clarity and euphoria at his existence through embracing his mortality.
Reference: Shakespeare: The Tempest - "Every third thought shall be my grave".
Reference: The Romans would constantly remind themselves of memento mori.
Insight: Our inevitable death does not make life pointless, rather it makes it purposeful.
Insight: Our fear of death is an obstacle, and can shape our decisions, and actions.
Insight: The fact that we will die, and the uncertainty of timing, is responsible for anxiety and distress.
Insight: The denial of death is why we seek pleasure, fame, money, and why we struggle to remain still and at peace. We spend so much time and energy trying to fight death or ignoring it.
Reference: Seneca: reminded himself often that we were once not born, and when we die we will simply return to this state.
Reference: Cicero: to study philosophy is to learn how to die.
Example: Life countdown clock from Futurama (TV show) showing estimated date of death, or number of days left.
Insight: We can build memento mori into our schedules through reading philosophy, spending time with hospice caregivers, visiting graveyards, or placing memoirs and photos of deceased relatives in our homes.
Insight: Organising your remaining days into increments (e.g. 5 years) can focus us on achieving significant life goals by reminding us that our time is limited.
Insight: Remembering that you are going to die is a great way to remember to live.
Insight: Many religious and philosophic leaders think about death to have the strength to face the worst.
Reference: Buddha: "Of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme."
Reference: Medieval monks kept images of skeletons as a memento mori.
Reference: 16th century artists painted hourglasses, rotten fruits, guttering candles.
Definition: Latin term that reminds us we will all die.
Insight: Understanding impermanence is important to understand art - all art brings something new into the world, but newness fades.
Reference: Ancient Rome: Victorious military leaders paraded the streets to be celebrated, but were accompanied by a slave who would whisper to the leader "memento mori" to remind the leader that everything is impermanent.
Principle: It is natural to celebrate our successes, but we should always try to remain grounded, and acknowledge that the good times will not last forever.
Reference: Montaigne: acknowledged a fear of death, but that we should think about death often, and of the brevity of life. Cited the Ancient Egyptian habit of bringing a dried skeleton to feasts to act as a memento mori. Declared that what matters is what you do with your time on Earth, and that we should think about death every day.
Key Insights & Principles
Living Meaningfully
Death is inevitable, nothing is permanent.
Death can come at any time, the future is unpredictable.
A life lived in fear of death can shape our actions and decisions away from living meaningfully.
Be reminded of death, impermanence.
In good times and bad, remind yourself that it will not last.
