How many are the ways by which one might die? Infinitely many. Dying like living, is limitless as to time and context. Think for a while on that. Yet, one requirement for a “good” death is sure. You must put away notions of fame, the accolades of the masses. Forget about that! Dying well like living well, is a matter of superb timing. Just the right touch, which every artist knows takes practice, and more practice.  You must “just know” the exact moment when it’s enough. To say, “enough!” exactly when that sweet spot is attained. When One Tastes Best… Then and only then will one be long loved. And isn’t that what you want? That’s what I’d desire!

But to return to our beginning, point ‘so many ways to live and to die.’ Why don’t we catalog a few of these according to Zarathustra. Keep in mind these types of life/death are grist for the mill of your mind.

And whoever wants to have fame,
must take leave of honor promptly,
and practice
the difficult art of – going at the right time.

Do you still envy the famous? We have plenty of celebs who are, for no better reason than — that is just what they happen to be. Social media has minted many an “influencer”.

One must discontinue being feasted upon
when one tastes best:
that is known by those who want to be long loved.

1) Sour apples are there, no doubt,
whose lot is to wait until the last day of autumn:
and at the same time they become ripe, yellow, and shriveled.

2) In some the heart ages first, and in others the spirit.

3) And some are hoary in youth,
but the late young keep young long.

4) To many men life is a failure;
a poison-worm gnaws at their heart.
Then let them see to it that their dying
is all the more a success.

5) Many never become sweet;
they rot even in the summer.
It is cowardice that holds them fast to their branches.

6) Far too many live, and far too long
they hang on their branches.
Would that a storm came
and shook all this rottenness
and worm-eatenness
from the tree!

In this torrent of comment, Zarathustra lambasts the incessant promotion of a long life. There’s too much of that declares Nietzsche. Show me those who frankly advocate a speedy death! Why hang around, – patience for what? The earth has too much patience with you, since you are a discredit to the earth! Suddenly the thought arises, the profession of politics harbors many, many who hang around far too long!

Would that there came preachers of speedy death!
Those would be
the appropriate storms and agitators
of the trees of life!

But I hear only slow
death preached,
and patience with all that is “earthly.”

Ah! you preach patience with what is earthly?
This earthly is it that
has too much patience with you,
you blasphemers!

Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche, trans. by Thomas Common Voluntary Death No. 21