Parents teach you how to live.
And Pragmatists teach you how to live in the world.
Pedants and Prudes teach you how to live
in the world of the past.
And Prophets teach you how to live
in the world of the future.
But Philosophers teach you how to die.

Parents want to fill you with food and values.
And Preachers want to fill you with faith.
Politicians want to fill you with hope.
And Pundits want to fill you with opinions.
But Philosophers want to fill you with doubt.

Parents care about your dreams.
And Partners want you to care about their dreams.
Preachers and Poets want you to dream their dreams.
And Pessimists want you to dream their nightmares.
But Philosophers just want you to wake-the-fuck-up!

Patricians run for The Cure.
And Politicians run for office.
Players run for the ball.
And Prophets run from The Call.
But Philosophers walk. Slowly.

Parents prepare you for the life they didn’t have.
And Preachers prepare you for the life you ought to have.
Pessimists prepare you for the life they’ve had.
And Pragmatists prepare you for the life
you’re likely to have.
But Philosophers prepare you for the death
you’re sure to have.

—John Faithful Hamer, Blue Notes (2016)