Plato Tells What Man Should Do

“Tempus Fugit.”

Those Latin words, found on the faces of many clocks, are all too true.

Time does fly. The days and weeks and years slip by mighty fast. So, we are downright foolish if we don’t spend time wisely!

Plato said there are four things a man should do before he dies: (1) plant a tree, (2) father a son, (3) build a house, and (4) write a book.

Is this advice the renowned old philosopher offered his Greek countrymen 2,400 years ago still good today, for the likes of us down here in the corner of Alabama?

Sure!

Why not plant a tree? Trees are fine things to have around. They provide shade. Many bear fruit, or nuts. Some varieties have lovely blossoms. Some give forth a delightful fragrance. Through their leaves trees put oxygen into the air. Their boughs are places for birds to build their nests.

Remember the poem that has these lines:

“Poems are made by fools like me

But only God can make a tree.”

It follows then that if you plant a tree,. you help God with his work!

Now what about the second part of the Plato formula? That is, the fathering of a son? Let us assume that Plato meant that becoming a parent makes for happiness.

One day more than 20 years ago, while we were stationed in Munich, Germany, our little maid (who could speak far more English than I could German) told me that she “no like work for American lady if no kinder (children) be in house. ... Lady be too long face, fussy. ... Kinder make much work, but make laughing!”

That young maid was right. Children bring love and laughter and real living into a home.

Take a look at number three on Plato’s list: build a house.

“Ah,” you say, “every Army couple that ever lived in quarters (military housing) longs for their own ‘dream-house.’ But it’s impractical to build, for we’re stationed here one day and halfway around the world the next!”

True. But isn’t it wise to make some long-range plans? Eventually, you will retire and need a permanent home. Doesn’t it seem sensible to save some money for same? Now?

Some couples go ahead and buy land for a house and have it waiting. Others, who are pretty sure where they will settle down, build a house and rent it out until retirement day comes. That’s practical, and highly profitable in some instances.

Now, we’re down to the fourth thing Plato said should be accomplished: write a book.

Should you write a book? Why not? You ought to write down something. For your family, if for nobody else.

Why don’t you try putting on paper some of the tales you heard as a child? Write your family history. Keep a diary. Or, write out some of the better thoughts that race through your head.

Compose a poem. Don’t laugh, it’s not impossible! And, you could try writing down the four things YOU think a man should do before he dies.

These are just suggestions.

As your days and weeks and years fly away, try your best to do good things that will last. That’s all anybody can do.

Published May 1979. Click your browser’s ‘Back’ button to return.