Thought today about what I, an old man, should do.... Several times in my life I've considered myself close to death. And - how foolishly! - I would forget, or try to forget it.... And now, because of my years, I naturally consider myself close to death, and there's no point in trying to forget it, and I can't forget it. But what should I, an old feeble person, so?, I asked myself. and it seemed that there was nothing to do, that I had no strength for anything. But today I realised so clearly the clear and joyful answer. What should I do? it's already been revealed - I must die. This is my task now, as it always has been. And I must die. This is my task now, as it always has been. And I must perform this task as well as possible: die, and die well. the task is before you, a noble and inevitable task.... This made me very glad. I'm beginning to get used to regarding death and dying not as the end of my task, but as the task itself.

Tolstoy, Diaries, 1906