Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of

"Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age." — James Joyce

In this evocative statement, James Joyce speaks to the essence of life and the inevitable passage of time. He urges us to embrace life with passion, to live fully, and to face death not with the quiet fading of old age but with the boldness and vibrancy of a life lived on one’s own terms. To pass into the next world in the glory of passion is to face death with purpose and vitality, having given everything to the pursuits that set our souls on fire. To fade away quietly, without that fervor, is to risk letting life slip through our fingers, unremarkable and unfulfilled. Joyce’s words remind us that it is not the quantity of years we live that matters most, but the quality of the life we lead in those years.

This perspective is rooted in the wisdom of the ancients, who often valued passion and virtue over the mere passage of time. Socrates, for example, did not fear death. He welcomed it as a natural step, but only after living a life full of pursuit, of philosophy, and of questioning the very essence of existence. Socrates’ life was not defined by age, but by his relentless drive for truth and understanding. He famously declared that "an unexamined life is not worth living," emphasizing that a life filled with deep thought and purpose was worth more than any mere number of years. In this way, Socrates embodied Joyce’s notion that a life full of passion and meaning could conquer the quiet, fading surrender to age.

Consider the life of Alexander the Great, a man who lived a life filled with purpose, ambition, and passion. Alexander died young, at the age of 32, but his achievements in his short life were nothing short of legendary. He conquered vast empires, spread new ideas across continents, and left a legacy that still resonates to this day. His life, though brief, was marked by the fire of youthful ambition and vigor, as he boldly ventured into the unknown. Alexander’s life was a perfect example of living with purpose and boldness, taking risks and embracing the passions that drove him to achieve the unimaginable. In contrast, those who live long lives without such passion or purpose often leave behind only a whisper of what they could have been.

In the ancient world, the Romans celebrated a life lived boldly, as seen in the figure of Julius Caesar. Caesar was another who lived with fire, his ambition driving him to shape the course of history. But it was not simply the fact that he ruled an empire that made his life remarkable—it was the passion he displayed in doing so. Caesar’s life was filled with action, with striving, and with purpose. His death at the hands of those he trusted was tragic, yet even in his final moments, he died with a sense of having acted boldly—his passion for his empire and his legacy unwavering. His life, though short by today’s standards, burned brightly and fiercely until the very end, much like the life Joyce envisions.

Now, turn to the present day, where we see the effects of a life lived without passion—the quiet, inevitable fading of those who succumb to the rhythms of routine and comfort. Modern life often encourages a slow slide into mediocrity, with many resigned to the idea that life must simply be endured, rather than embraced. Retirement, for instance, is often viewed as a time to retreat from the vigor of life’s work. Yet, this quiet retreat can lead to a life of diminishing vitality, where one’s passions and ambitions are allowed to wither in the face of comfort and age. Joyce’s words serve as a reminder that there is no nobility in this surrender. True glory comes not from avoiding the inevitable passage of time but from living each moment as fully as possible, with purpose and passion.

The lesson here is clear: it is better to live boldly and with purpose, to pursue the things that ignite the soul, than to fade quietly into obscurity. Death does not come for the passionate soul, for in living with fervor, we live beyond our years, leaving a legacy that survives even the passage of time. It is the fire of action, of dedication, and of ambition that ensures we do not simply fade away but live forever in the memories of those we touch and in the mark we leave on the world. Let us not wait for age to dictate the end of our pursuits. Instead, let us live boldly, embracing the passions that make us feel truly alive.

In practical terms, we must ask ourselves: What are we passionate about? What drives us to wake up every day and give our best to the world? Let us not let time dictate when we should retire or when we should slow down. Instead, let our passions drive us, let them be the fire that sustains us. Live in such a way that, when the time comes, we can pass from this world not in quiet resignation, but with the glory of a life lived fully, with purpose and dedication. To live without passion is to fade into the nothingness of time, but to live with it is to blaze like a star, long remembered after the light has gone out.