We explain what carpe diem is and what the origin of this phrase is. Also, what the lifestyle based on carpe diem is like.
What is Carpe Diem?
The expression carpe diem It comes from Latin and was first written by the Roman poet Horace. If we translate this phrase literally we will see what it means “harvest the day” and has to do with taking advantage of life in the present. For carpe diem it is important not to waste a second of our lives and make the most of our time.
This significance is related to the idea that we do not know exactly what will happen tomorrow. The future is improbable and inaccurate, that is why the present must be enjoyed and taken advantage of.
The poet's complete phrase was “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero” which, if translated into Spanish, would be something like “take advantage of every day, don't trust tomorrow ”. Horacio considers that the only thing necessary is death, the only thing we are sure of. That's why It is necessary to take advantage of life while it lasts.
See also: Freedom
Carpe diem as a lifestyle
Currently This concept has been taken as a leitmotiv in the lives of many people. These people who take carpe diem as a way of life consider that we must live each day as if it were the last day of our lives. Time is ticking and we must live the moments here and now.
Many consider this conception of life erroneous and not very responsible. Those who affirm this consider that not thinking about the future is not correct, since we must think and consider what will become of us when we are old, ensuring a quiet life without work or responsibilities.
Carpe diem is a invitation to enjoy the present this moment, without creating unnecessary worries about the future. The only thing we have concretely is the present.
the movie Dead Poets Society (released in 1989 and directed by Peter Weir) took this concept into its story. In it, a literature teacher urges his students to follow the mandate of carpe diem, to change their attitude towards life based on this principle.
Carpe Diem as a literary topic
This phrase has taken the form of a literary cliché, that is, of recurring theme in universal literature of all time. Carpe diem can be considered as an exhortation not to waste time and on the other to enjoy the present time and every moment of our lives without stopping to think about the future, since it is uncertain.
carpe diem It had greater importance in the Baroque and Romanticism although it also had its importance during the Renaissance.
It is important to mention that this concept is closely related to another Latin topic, the memento mori which tells us, remember that you are going to die. The only thing we know exactly is that we are going to die and we must live remembering this, because if not, life slips through our hands, time passes and we have not enjoyed anything.
