Right Now, Deadening of the Soul, & Transformation
Wednesday Wisdoms for July 2, 2025
Mind Candy is a newsletter on practical philosophy and human flourishment—aka how to live “the good life.” Each month we tackle a new theme.
This month we’re exploring the theme of Mortality.
Welcome to Wednesday Wisdom, our 3x3 Newsletter where I distill worldly advice for better living with 3 quotes, 3 observations, and 3 questions.
Right Now
🤨 Quote
“No one keeps death in view, no one refrains from hopes that look far ahead; indeed, some people even arrange things that are beyond life - massive tombs, dedications of public buildings, shows for their funerals, and ostentatious burials. But in truth, such people's funerals should be conducted with torches and wax tapers, as though they had lived the shortest of lives.”
Seneca
Source: On the Shortness of Life
Observation 🧐
We’re all given time to live, yet none of us know how much. Some have lots, while others have a little. We put too much attention, however, on the number rather than on the experience.
“Even were you about to live 3,000 years or thrice 10,000, nevertheless remember this,” Marcus Aurelius reminded himself, “that no one loses any other life than this which he is living, nor lives any other than this which he is losing. Thus the longest and the shortest come to the same thing.”
It doesn’t matter how long one lives but how well. So what good is it to be worshipped when we’re gone? To have monuments made of us only for them to eventually crumble? Because eventually, whether we like it or not, everything does crumble and fade.
“They all die soon - praiser and praised, rememberer and remembered,” Marcus Aurelius said. What we’re truly searching for is to make an impact—an imprint—on the world, a reminder that we were here, that our existence made a difference.
But rather than embrace these short moments we look to externals to fill the existential dread we live with.
But for what use? We will all be gone eventually.
The only true impact you have then is this moment—this very moment—because nothing else exists, and all that ever will is what you do right here.
Right now.
🤔 Question
What is one action taken today that helped center you in the moment of here and now?
Deadening of the Soul
🤨 Quote
“Most of us fear the deadening of the body and would resort to every means to avoid falling into such a state, but when it comes to the deadening of the soul, we're not in the least concerned.”
Epictetus
Source: Discourses 1.5.4
Observation 🧐
Just because we’re breathing doesn’t mean we’re alive. Sure, our bodies are continuing on, but are we living emotionally, or with purpose, or the way we want to?
As it happens to be, living is a whole lot more than just breathing and making sure we’re fed regularly.
We’re driven by purpose, by meaning, by connection to others.
Yet many of us live our entire lives, going year after year, allowing these other aspects of life to fall to the side.
Just because we’re alive doesn’t mean we’re living. True living means pulling our attention to what we do with our lives. It means feeding not just our body, but our souls, for the true things we need in life.
Connection.
Purpose.
Meaning.
🤔 Question
What is an activity that nourishes your soul but that you’ve neglected recently? What will it take for you to get back to that?
Beneath the paywall this week we explore the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. Click below to support and get access.