You can't take it with you

[rov1100]

Then what's the point of gaining a lifetime of knowledge which continues up and until your death?

The same could almost be said about the richest people in the graveyard.

[Zhukov]

Thank you Grasscarp - for the thoughts of Confucius - yup,that is more or less me..

..but I had a novel occurrence on Fri evening - I felt a pang of jealousy for a man play-fighting his 6 yr old son!...weird..I swear,well I"m over 50...never had time or inclination for children of my own - way back,as a late teen,some well-meaning,or otherwise,people had ideas I might marry,have children..typical but usual small-town stuff - that is about the time almost eveyone - including Mum,Dad,sisters - gave up on any hope that I might conform - Ma & Pa have a bunch of grandchildren,they are happy,so it is rare anyone asks me - what if/whynot -

But my friend,I had visited had a different take - He is more than 10 yrs older than I - He has his little lad overnight..they were both playful..watching a movie - the boy clambering on Dads back as we sat talking.pulling on his Dreadlocks,trying to gain attention..it was a touching sign of their bond..and I never missed having my own..but...but anyway..

My friend has 17 children living with ,I think 4 mothers..though some are themselves married,or living with a partner - they are a handsome Jamaican family...

Maybe my friend got it right..life is about creating life...and nurturing..and improving..and learning and sharing... ...and my girlfriend and I,may have been selfish..or unwilling to put the gruntwork in..?

[Zhukov]

for clarity..and in fairness to my friend..having lived in England over 40 yrs,he considers himself an English/British national,with Jamaican roots..his children all born and raised here.

[grasscarp]

Zhukov, I had 2 children and now have 2 grand children. If I had known what fun grandchildren are I would have had them first. (sorry that is not original but sums it up for me). My own children drove me to distraction at times as whatever trouble teenagers can get into they did. One day a policeman was at our house and commented you seem like really caring parents but we seem to often be round here. I would have had a much smoother easier life without them but the older I get, and they get, the more I am glad that they came along. And the one who was expelled from school is now a barrister!

[emmie]

there isn't any point, only to those who have faith or believe there is more to come. The richest people, the poorest people makes no odds, all go.

[naomi24]

trt, //Most of you are wrong.//
I don’t see that. I said //you can leave it [your knowledge] as a legacy//, and it seems a lot of posters agree with both you and me.

[Ankou]

personally i reckon you can take it with you.
its just that nobody gets to share it.

[dave50]

It's like those people who have plenty of money to retire comfortably on yet still want to make more, why? How many times do you read about someone with a lot of money making a risky investment and losing it all? Why risk it in the first place? It's like me winning the lottery then investing it all in some risky venture to make more, why would I?

[Ankou]

because you can

[dave50]

Yes, life is pointless really. You're born, you live, you die, the end. There's no reason for it. We will all be gone eventually so why get stressed trying to change things and making an impact while you are here? It's pointless. Just try and enjoy yourself while you are here, that's all.

[grasscarp]

dave50 you remind me of the one liner - If we are put on earth to help others, what are the others put here for.

[LazyGun]

Its not the destination that necessarily enriches your life, but the journey to get there - and you could argue that position for both the accumulation of wisdom and knowledge and the accumulation of money and riches etc.

[sith123]

to help you in this world.

[jomifl]

but not the next?

[sith123]

you would have to be stupid to believe that. of course it helps you in the next

[jomifl]

Sith, Using the word 'stupid' to describe people who disagree with you is primarily rude and secondarily implies that because you disagree with them, that you are also stupid. Using the word 'stupid' does not constitute rational argument, try and be imaginative and find an alternative, it isn't difficult. By the way your assumption of the existence of a 'world' beyond ours is rather fanciful and unsubstantiated. It only exists in your mind because you chose a religion that accepts the idea, if you had chosen one that doesn't believe in an afterlife would it still exist?

[mibn2cweus]

Of what use is knowledge or intelligence to immortality?

[RATTER15]

it isn't the destination that is important but the path that you follow!!

[Ankou]

unless the path is a dark alleyway leading to a premier night spot full of scantily clad single young ladies looking for a good time.

[Marijn]

Perhaps there is no point to anything. But we're here, so we might as well make the most of it.

[Ankou]

thats what i said to mrs kou when we went camping for a weekend once.

i was incorrect.