This quote suggests that if someone were to consistently dwell on the inevitability of death, they would be unable to fully live their life. The concept here is about focus and the direction of our mental energy. If we are constantly thinking about death – a future, inevitable event – we are not present in our current moment, which hinders us from truly living and progressing.
The “business of life” can be interpreted as the day-to-day activities we engage in, such as work, relationships or personal growth. It implies that these aspects of life require attention and dedication; they need us to be present and engaged. If all our mental energy is consumed by thoughts of mortality, then these aspects suffer.
In terms of personal development today, this quote can remind us to stay focused on the present moment rather than worrying about what lies ahead. Many people struggle with anxiety over future events or situations that may never occur. This anxiety can prevent them from taking actions needed for their growth and progress in various areas like career advancement or relationship building.
Moreover, it’s a reminder that while it’s important to have long-term goals and plans for the future (including coming to terms with our mortality), obsessing over them can hinder our ability to enjoy life now and make meaningful progress toward those goals.
In essence, this quote serves as a call for balance: acknowledging death but not letting its inevitability paralyze us from living fully in the present moment.
