There are many ways to live
But surely one of the best must be
To search out the art of living
Contemplating truth and beauty
To retire to the society of the wise
To take time for philosophy
If you permit me, I would say
This alone is to live, and to live well
We often depend so much on the judgments of others
We decide what paths to take and to follow
By counting the number of footprints on them
But if you wish to be a good custodian of your own life
To sift better things from the worse
Then surrender yourself to contemplation
To the great minds of the past
Make them your close and daily friends
And you are bound to have a rich life
You can argue with Socrates
Walk with and engage Aristotle
Discuss old age with Cicero
Talk of peace of mind with Seneca
Doubt with Descartes
Make a leap of faith with Kierkegaard
Imagine world peace with Kant
If you turn to them, any of them
You won’t walk away empty handed
No one of these will take anything away from you
But they can all add to life’s worth
You can take from each what you wish
And if you do not draw the utmost from them
It is only your fault and not theirs
Truly, they can raise you to great height
From which no one can cast you down
They have valuable advice for you
On everything great or small
And they tell you the truth
Without insult or flattery
The philosophers wake us from our deep slumber
They teach us how to make sense of the world
They shed light on worthy and beautiful things
They open our minds and hearts to them
They prepare us to work things out for themselves
To think carefully, critically and clearly
They have also prepared a way of life for us
And you can model yourself after them
Great happiness is in store
For those who offer themselves
As clients to these thinkers
So tear yourself away from the multitude
Withdraw into the contemplative life
This is the only satisfying and flourishing life
Don’t wait until old age
When your life is nearly over
To give yourself to wisdom
Instead learn how to live now
You must slow down life
For life will not slow down for you
-Rotterdam, Netherlands
