Notes at the end of life, of a great professor and human:

“The culture we have today doesn’t make people feel very good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough that, if the culture doesn’t work for you, don’t buy it.”

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even they they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

“He tells me to be ‘fully human’ He speaks of the alienation of youth and the need for ‘connectedness’ with the society around me.”

“Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another.”

“Mitch, the culture doesn’t encourage you to think about such things until you’re about to die. We’re so wrapped up with egotistical things, career, family, having enough money, meeting the mortgage, getting a new car, fixing the radiator when it breaks - We’re involved in trillions of little acts just to keep going. So we don’t get into the habit of standing back and saying ‘Is this all?’ ‘Is this all I want?’ ‘Is something missing?’ - You need someone to probe you in that direction. It won’t just happen automatically.’