"私には、あなたや私が二つの思考や行動の進路を選ばなければならない場合、私たちの死を思い出し、私たちの死が世界に喜びをもたらさないように生きるべきだと思います。"
— John Steinbeck
Simplified Meaning:
When making decisions in life, think about how you'll be remembered when you're gone. Imagine that you are faced with two choices. One choice might seem simpler, but if it harms others or is selfish, people may feel relief or even happiness when you're no longer around. This suggests you lived in a way that brought more harm than good. For example, consider a manager who can either treat their employees well or exploit them for short-term gains. If they choose exploitation, employees might feel happy when the manager leaves or retires. On the other hand, if the manager is kind and fair, people will be sad to lose them, remembering the positive impact they had. So, aim to be the kind of person who, when gone, is missed and appreciated. Make choices that contribute to the well-being of others, and lead a life that leaves a positive mark on the world.
