Some wise words on death and mortality/immortality by Aramaean philosopher Mara bar Serapion

"Let a man, therefore, rejoice in his empire, like Darayaush; or in his good fortune, like Polycrates; or in his bravery, like Achilles; or in his wife, like Agamemnon; or in his offspring, like Pariya-muwa; or in his skill, like Archimedes; or in his wisdom, like Socrates; or in his learning, like Pythagoras; or in his ingenuity, like Palamedes;-the life of men, my son, departs from the world, but their praises and their virtues abide for ever."