The way of all flesh. Seneca, Epistulae 1.4.8-9

Seneca advises Lucilius to witness death now, rather than put it off until the last moment. Mortal anxiety is released when we confront death frankly; otherwise, it follows us about constantly, tainting every moment we live. You can hear this passage <here>.

Cogita posse et latronem et hostem admovere iugulo tuo gladium; ut potestas maior absit, nemo non servus habet in te vitae necisque arbitrium. Ita dico: quisquis vitam suam contempsit tuae dominus est. Recognosce exempla eorum qui domesticis insidiis perierunt, aut aperta vi aut dolo: intelleges non pauciores servorum ira cecidisse quam regum. Quid ad te itaque quam potens sit quem times, cum id propter quod times nemo non possit? At si forte in manus hostium incideris, victor te duci iubebit; eo nempe quo duceris. Quid te ipse decipis et hoc nunc primum quod olim patiebaris intellegis? Ita dico: ex quo natus es, duceris. Haec et eiusmodi versanda in animo sunt si volumus ultimam illam horam placidi exspectare cuius metus omnes alias inquietas facit.

Consider that thief and foe alike can put the sword to your neck. To remove the prospect of saving yourself by an appeal to greater authority, recognize that nobody who is not a slave holds power over your life and death. I'll give it to you straight: anyone who has no regard for his own life is the lord of yours. Remember the fate of those who have perished at the hands of their own household, cut down with crafty scheming or open force. You will understand then that the wrath of slaves claims no fewer victims than that of kings. Why fear the ruler so much, when the reason for your fear is an action available to anyone? And if you fall into the hands of the victorious enemy, he will order that you be led to the place you are already being conducted, right now. Why trick yourself, waiting until this moment to notice what has been happening to you for a long time? Again, I'll break it down for you: You are being led back to the place from which you were born. These and similar thoughts we should turn over in our minds, if we want to await our last hour at peace, untroubled by the fear that makes all other moments mad.