While reading the book ''Ideas: A history from Fire to Freud'' by Peter Watson, I came across two notable Latin expressions i.e carpe diem (seize the moment) and momento mori (remember thou must die). Each one of them stimulated an urgent attention and I started thinking about their implication on one's life or approach towards life.
For some reason, the former caught my eye (and attention) more than the latter. “Seize the moment”- an epic advice and a brief life lesson. It inculcates to live a healthy and leading life in this world without much to worry about the hereafter. It deals with certainty and works in disregard of doubt. We exist in this moment and have to make the most of it. However, the slight negativity or less-plausible infertile interpretation of the very same expression is also striking.
In contrast, the latter i.e momento mori appeared less attractive. It seemed to be utilizing the innate fear of human beings and exploiting their urge to avoid the inescapable demise. The fear of exploitation or being put to use like a lifeless tool made it appear uninviting. As the expression has ancient origin, it must have been the personal favorite of priests and religious men over the course of centuries.
Trying to categorize the subscribers to the aforementioned couple of expressions (rather pieces of advice), one starts classifying people as seen by their actions. The criterion being if the person under observation appears to be acting in a spirit of sacrifice (self-proclaimed), it is most probable that he/she has consented to momento mori (knowingly or unknowingly- that is immaterial). On the flipside, if someone is noticed materializing on the opportunities in this world, trying to be as productive as possible and leaves no stone upturned to live life to the fullest, he/she must have endorsed carpe diem.
Case study: Mumtaz Qadri and his confusion
Not going into the background of what Qadri 'achieved' – i.e the status of a self-proclaimed Ghazi whose urge to find gains in the hereafter at the cost of someone else's life – or what he failed at doing – i.e seizing the moment (not remaining dutiful ), Qadri seems to be in a complex.
While his villainous actions leading to the murder of Salmaan Taseer seem to be motivated by ''momento mori'', he now appears to be shifting sides and turning into someone consumed with the desire to owe allegiance to the initials – carpe diem. His words may say otherwise but his actions are in contradiction to his commitment. And as the saying goes, ''actions speak louder than words''.
One thing is certain nevertheless that both the expressions have far-reaching implications directly proportional to the degree of seriousness with which either one is understood. Both are open to multiple (often overlapping) interpretations and cannot be out-rightly described as ''contrasting expressions''. Both can be used or abused to justify actions- both productive and destructive.
It took me a while to interrelate the two; ''remember thou must die'' so ''seize the moment''. It makes perfect sense this way. Taken positively, one feels destined to perish someday but feels gifted at the same time. Gifted with life to do something to make the world a better place and leave behind a wonderful legacy and not to take life for granted for every moment of it is very precious. After all, remember thou must die.