出処不明なスティーブ・ジョブズ最期の言葉とされているものの中で、次のように訳されている箇所がある。
「今やっと理解したことがある。
人生において十分にやっていけるだけの
富を積み上げた後は、富とは関係のない
他のことを追い求めた方が良い。」
うむ。知ってる。そのつもり。人生を賭けて成功を収めることなく、その結論にたどり着いている。
そんな不遜なことを言いつつも、言葉を間に受けて良いのか迷う。それは十分に勤勉で自己研鑽に励んで向上心に溢れた人には戒めとなる教訓だろうけど、ぐうたらですぐ遊びに逃げがちで仕事以外のことばかり考えているような奴にはぬるく生きる言い訳になるやもしれない。自分のような人間には、発破をかけるほうが良いように思う。
楽しく人生を満喫するだけで良いのだろうか。スティーブ・ジョブズほどに革新に生涯を捧げるのは無理だとしても、ああ、あの人はこれをやったねと思われるぐらいの小成功を目指すべく努力すべきだとも思う。本人の経済的成功ではなく、社会やコミュニティーへの貢献に繋がる小成功が理想的だ。
そのような志向の先に多くの人がたどり着くのがボランティアなのだろうか。まったり人生満喫できる境遇に安寧するだけでは申し訳ないからせめてボランティアで誰かの助けに励むから大目に見てね、ということで。
“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world.
In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.
…
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of God and of death drawing closer…
Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…
Should be something that is more important:
Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days …
Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.
The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me.
What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.
That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.
Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world? – “Sick bed” …
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – “Life”.
When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – “Book of Healthy Life”.
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Treat yourself well. Cherish others.”
