Philip of Macedonia was a great general, an emperor, and a conqueror. But perhaps his greatest achievement was fathering Alexander the Great.
When Alexander grew up and saw the vast lands his father had conquered, he broke down in tears, lamenting that his father had conquered the whole world, leaving nothing for him to conquer.
What young Alexander didn’t yet realize was that there were still vast, unconquered lands beyond his father’s reach. He went on to conquer far more territories than Philip ever did.
While alive, Philip did something unusual. He summoned one of his servants and instructed him to suspend all other duties and focus solely on one task: every morning, enter Philip’s tent and wake him with the words, “Philip of Macedonia” — not Emperor Philip, not King Philip, not Master Philip — “remember that one day, you will die.”
The servant protested at first. “How can I wake my lord every morning just to remind him of his death?”
“Sorry,” Philip said firmly, “that is your new duty. You may leave now.”
And so, every morning, the servant entered Philip’s tent and said, “Philip of Macedonia, remember that one day, you will die.”
And one day, Philip of Macedonia did die.
I wonder what thoughts those who call themselves our leaders hold about their own mortality. Do they believe they will live forever?
If they wish, let them hide inside Olumo Rock. But one truth is as certain as the sunrise: one day, they too will die. And after that comes judgment — by God and by the people.
Thank you.
— Dr. Osa Mbonu-Amadi
April 27, 2020
