The sun had set, and the last traces of daylight were fading into the darkening sky. The garden now bathed in a cool twilight, Elias felt the weight of the day starting to pull at his thoughts. He sat quietly on the stone bench beside Aristotle, who had shifted to a more comfortable position, his hands folded in his lap, as though preparing for another long conversation.
After a few moments, Aristotle spoke, his voice smooth, like the rustling of leaves in the wind. “So, Elias, we’ve discussed death, love, and how both are intertwined with our experience of life. But now, tell me, what is life to you?”
Elias sat up straighter, his brow furrowing as he thought about the question. What was life to him? It was something he had been struggling with for a while now—ever since his wife’s death, everything seemed to have lost its vibrancy. His days felt long and empty, filled with questions that he couldn’t answer.
“What is life?” Elias repeated, almost to himself. “I used to think life was about finding purpose, or happiness. You know, chasing after something—whatever that something is. But now... now it just feels like a series of days stacked on top of each other. I don’t know what to do with it anymore.”
Aristotle regarded him thoughtfully, then smiled with the wisdom of someone who had contemplated life’s meaning for a long time. “Purpose, happiness... those are common pursuits, but they are not the essence of life. You see, life is not a destination, Elias. It is a journey. A series of choices, each leading to the next, creating a pattern. Life is about living virtuously, making decisions based on reason, wisdom, and a sense of moral integrity. It is the pursuit of excellence, not the pursuit of pleasure.”
Elias blinked, surprised at the turn of the conversation. “Virtue? You think life’s about doing the right thing all the time?”
Aristotle’s smile was patient but firm. “Yes, but not in a rigid, dogmatic sense. Virtue is about aligning your actions with reason—acting with integrity, courage, justice, and wisdom. These qualities shape the person you become and the life you lead. The goal is not to chase fleeting pleasures, but to cultivate a life of moral and intellectual excellence. It is through this pursuit that we find true fulfillment, and that fulfillment gives meaning to life.”
Elias rubbed the back of his neck, thinking this over. It wasn’t exactly a life philosophy that had ever crossed his mind. “I don’t know, Aristotle... sounds kind of boring, don’t you think? I mean, who wants to live just to be ‘virtuous’? I’ve seen people who do all the right things, and they still get screwed over by life. Hell, I’ve seen people who do all the wrong things and still come out on top. It doesn’t seem fair.”
Aristotle nodded, as if expecting this response. “Life is not fair, Elias. It is chaotic, unpredictable, and often unjust. But fairness is not the same as meaning. Virtue is not about ensuring that you will always succeed or get what you want. It is about acting in accordance with what is right, regardless of the outcome. The purpose of life is not to avoid suffering or to accumulate pleasure. It is to become the best version of yourself, to live with integrity, and to contribute to the greater good.”
Elias leaned back in his seat, feeling the weight of Aristotle’s words pressing down on him. “That sounds like a lot of work, honestly,” he muttered. “Like, what’s the point of trying to live ‘virtuously’ if the world is just going to keep throwing crap at you? Where’s the reward?”
Aristotle’s expression softened, and his voice grew gentler. “The reward, Elias, is not always external. It is not found in recognition or material gain. The reward is the inner peace and satisfaction that comes from living a life of virtue. When you act with integrity and reason, you develop a sense of tranquility, a sense that you are aligned with your true purpose. This peace comes from within, and it cannot be taken away by the world’s injustices.”
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Elias looked at the ground, deep in thought. The idea of inner peace was almost foreign to him, something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. The chaos of his grief, the questions that rattled in his mind—it all felt overwhelming. “Inner peace... Yeah, I don’t know if I’ve ever really known what that feels like.”
Aristotle seemed to read his thoughts. “It is not something you find overnight. It is a process, Elias. A continual effort. The pursuit of virtue is lifelong. And though the world may challenge you, when you live with purpose and integrity, you will find that the challenges become easier to navigate. They become opportunities for growth.”
Elias looked up, meeting Aristotle’s eyes. “But how do you find that purpose? How do you know what to do with your life?”
Aristotle smiled knowingly. “That, my friend, is the question we all must answer for ourselves. Purpose comes from living authentically. It comes from understanding what is important to you, and making choices that reflect those values. It comes from knowing what you stand for and striving to live according to that.”
Elias nodded slowly. “So, you’re saying... my purpose is what I make of it?”
“Exactly,” Aristotle affirmed. “Your purpose is a product of your choices, your actions, and your pursuit of virtue. It is not given to you by the world. It is created by you through the life you lead.”
There was a long silence, and for the first time in a long while, Elias felt something shift inside him. It wasn’t a grand revelation or a sudden epiphany, but a subtle shift—a new way of thinking, a new direction. He could feel the weight of his grief, the emptiness in his chest, but now, it wasn’t the only thing that defined him. He had more than just loss. He had the possibility of something else—something that could give his life meaning again.
“So... how do I start?” Elias asked, his voice quieter now, with a hint of resolve.
Aristotle’s smile deepened. “You start by choosing. Choose to live with virtue. Choose to live with reason and integrity. And when you stumble—which you will—you get back up. Life is not about perfection; it is about the pursuit. The effort is what gives life meaning.”
Elias sat back, a sense of calm beginning to settle in his chest. The world still seemed uncertain, still filled with unanswered questions, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he could begin to move forward. Like his grief didn’t have to be the only thing that defined him. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than just surviving it.
“Thanks, Aristotle,” Elias said quietly, more to himself than to the philosopher. “I think... I think I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m ready to try.”
Aristotle gave a final, knowing nod, his expression wise and patient. “It is the first step that counts, Elias. The journey is long, but each step brings you closer to understanding what it means to live.”
Elias stood up from the stone bench, his heart still heavy with the weight of the conversation but lighter than before, as if a piece of the puzzle had clicked into place. "Thank you, Aristotle," he said, his voice steady but filled with genuine gratitude. "For everything. I’ve been so caught up in the loss and the pain, thinking that’s all there was. You’ve given me something else to think about—something to hold onto. The idea that life’s not about just surviving or escaping, but about living with purpose, with integrity. It’s something I haven’t been able to see in a long time, but now, I think... maybe it’s something I can start to understand."
Aristotle offered him a knowing smile, the kind of smile that spoke of years spent reflecting on the complexities of human nature. "You are welcome, Elias. Remember, it is the journey that matters most, not the destination." Elias nodded, taking one last look at the philosopher as a warm breeze swept through the garden, carrying with it a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in a long time. With that, Elias closed his eyes, letting the time travel pull him once more, unsure of where he would land but certain that his journey—his search for answers—was far from over.