This quote simply put, merely is meant to convey that our lives are not permanent, and everyone eventually will die one day. Be it soon, or 30 years from now, each person will meet there demise. We, as a species, only last around 100 years, maybe more if one is lucky; and as far we know there is no such thing as immortality though we strive to achieve this unachievable essence every day of our lives through various acts. We literally face death everyday and it is a wonder that some survive all the way through to adulthood.
Surprisingly enough this little fact does not stop us in our pursuit to live. Every day people get up, go to work or school and participate in the greater good of bettering out society, with the notion that things will be better in the future. Or will they? Will some even live to see tomorrow? These questions can only be answered with time. The fact is we are afraid of death, afraid of the unknown. We therefore do what we have to do to survive even with the knowledge that death could occur at any moment. Known as the nature of man, humans have lived by this ideal since the beginning of our species.
After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh is slapped in the face with one big wake up call: that he, too, can and will die. Of course, being the two parts god that he is, he refuses to accept this and goes on his quest for immortality. Surprise, surprise Gilgamesh finds that immortality is unattainable. Nonetheless a lesson is learned, that of the age old saying: live your life to the fullest.
The meaning of life is not something that can be simply put. It is a matter of perspective for each individual. For some poor souls, there is no meaning in life, and the will to live, like a fire burning inside ones heart, is snuffed. For others it is as hot as the sun. The meaning in life for one could be seen in a spouse or a friend, or perhaps the meaning in life is, plainly, to just live.
Despite all the facts that clearly point to death as being the sole way out of this world, we continue to promote ideals that state otherwise. Religion is one of these. Most religions, if not all, believe in some sort of after life. Some variety of exception to death as being the end. Fame and success are another example of promoting eternal life. The name lives on in society, while the body dies. Take William Shakespeare for example. He has been gone from this world for quite some decades, and yet people still recognize him, and promote his literary works of genius, as if he were alive.
Yes, it is true that we being on this earth is not permanent, nonetheless immortality cannot be considered illusory. Humans may not have figured out a true way to live forever and retain youth, but we have produced a way to cope with the impending death.
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