“Ah! How mankind comes to nothing, and yet they live as though life will never end! They all pass away like a shadow…….for all is vanity. Oh Lord, what is there to hope for? (Psalm 39: 4-7)

Religion promises us everlasting life, with angels and a god who looks like us. I do think that we have everlasting life, but only in so far as our atoms, which are from the stars, are recycled into a myriad of forms as long as the universe lasts. The afterlife promised by the preachers seems unlikely.

“What we have to hope for” is to look forward in old age to the thought that we have had a good, interesting and rewarding life; that we have done some good for the world, for fellow human beings and for both wild and tame creatures; that we have done no harm and have hurt others as little as possible; that we have had a good influence over those around us, and particularly children and youngsters. That we are leaving behind us something we have created, whether that is a beautiful poem or grandchildren who have adopted our humanist and cultural outlook. We look forward to being remembered as people who find humour in so many things, as well as compassion for the poor, the sick and the victims of wars. In short, contentment and the conviction that we have enjoyed life. This is what Epicurus advocated.