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Grandiose Death The wealthiest aristocrat of the world, as he lay on his deathbed, called out unto me: My friend! before I pass away, let me confide this much to you: If you must encounter death, encounter him indeed, but not in the manner of your friend. Encounter him with a smile on you face—a smile such as might spring up from some indefinable hope, a smile that would accompany undaunted enthusiasm, a smile that wells up from the joy of sweet reminiscences, cherished in one's bosom, a smile such as would flash from the recollection of some momentous scene enacted in one fateful instant of life. Such a death would be a myriad times more exalted and glorious than all the dazzling affluence of my multi-myriad wealth!
Penury versus Affluence Is your soul penurious or rich: If you feel distressed by the sight of happiness in others, your soul is undoubtedly penurious, even though you may be materially rich. But, on the other hand, if you feel gratified by the sight of affluence in others, rich indeed is your soul notwithstanding the penury conditioning your material existence. 28
