Sages

Ruled Rome through war and plague and every evening wrote himself notes on how to remain a human being.

He wrote letters on how to live when everything is collapsing, and met death calmly himself.

Born a slave, he became a teacher of freedom: he separated what is in our power from what is not.

Wandered through Athens, struck up conversations with anyone, and by his questions drew people out of their certainty that they knew.

Lived in a barrel, begged from statues, and answered Alexander: “Stand out of my sunlight.”

The Teacher who said: order in the family, order in the state.

Retired to a tower to write about himself — and wrote a book in which everyone recognizes themselves.

Called the world blind will and taught how to loosen its grip.

Said that God is dead and called man to stand beyond good and evil.

Wrote of Sophia and all-unity, believed that love justifies life, and died before he could finish speaking.

He said freedom is not a right but a burden and a calling. He taught not to lose oneself in an era.