Memento Mori

Remember you must die.

Memento Mori is a Latin phrase. It means “remember you must die”. This idea is not meant to make us sad or scared. Instead, it helps us remember that life is short and precious.

Where does Memento Mori come from?

The idea of Memento Mori is very old. It started a long time ago, in ancient Greece and Rome.

• In ancient Greece, philosophers like Democritus would visit tombs to remind themselves that everyone dies one day.
• In ancient Rome, after a big military victory, a general would ride through the city in a parade. Behind him stood a servant whose job was to whisper, “Memento mori!” It was to remind the general not to become too proud, because even the most powerful people are still mortal.

The Stoic philosophers, like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, also talked a lot about Memento Mori. They believed that thinking about death helps us live better lives and make good choices.

What does it mean for us?

Memento Mori reminds us that everyone’s time is limited. If we remember this, we can:

• Focus on what really matters
• Be kinder to others
• Enjoy each day
• Make better choices

At The Future Past, we believe in making choices today that your future self will be proud of. Memento Mori fits perfectly with this idea. If we remember that life is short, we will want to make every day count. We will want to look back in the future and feel happy with how we lived.

Remember: Life is short. Make every day count. That is the meaning of Memento Mori.