Excess of grief for the dead is madness; for it is an injury to the living, and the dead know it not.
-Xenophon
You know what, forget Plato. Xenophon was a much better writer, and reading his Memorabilia was a sheer joy. He lived an interesting life, which included palling around with Socrates, being a mercenary, and getting his ass exiled from Athens likely for both of the above (Athens, it seems, didn't appreciate mercenaries if they weren't fighting for Athens). Most people turn to Plato for their Socrates fix, but Xenophon knew him too, so if you're tired of pompous assery, go Xenophon.
The quote above strikes me as a soldier's quote. It's good advice for us all. Remember it when my time comes: I want the cantina flowing with drink, laughter and love. None of this maudlin sendoff stuff, m'kay?
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