Smile back

Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.

~ “Marcus Aurelius” (the character in the Movie, Gladiator)

Update Dec 2022: This was not written by the actual Marcus Aurelius. I’m leaving it here because it’s more useful to have a place for this note. :) The closest thing which Aurelius did say, is in Meditations: “Accept death in a cheerful spirit, as nothing but the dissolution of the elements from which each living thing is composed.” at 2.17, and “So make your exit with grace — the same grace shown to you.” as the final line of 12.36.

slip:4a301.