Day 26 · Q1: Self-Knowledge · January 26, 2026
Pause. Breathe. Begin.
I . L E C T I O
Seneca
On the Shortness of Life, §3
“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.”
C O N T E X T
Seneca observes a fundamental paradox: we are consumed by petty fears as if death is imminent, yet we waste time as if we will live forever. This contradiction lies at the heart of human irrationality.
I I . M E D I T A T I O
“Where are you living as if you have unlimited time — and where are you paralyzed by fear of running out?”
I I I . S C R I P T I O
Write one sentence about something you are postponing as if you had infinite tomorrows.
I V . C O N N E X I O
Seneca deepens his earlier message about time. Now it's not just about waste — it's about the paradox of fearing death while living as if immortal. How does this connect to Marcus Aurelius's morning practice?
This practice exists because of readers like you.
Sustain it →Tomorrow's passage, delivered at dawn.