Episode 41: Life Is Short

No article (general) — Marcus Aurelius, 180 AD (A2-B1)

The Question

Luna read her favorite quote: “Life is short.” She stopped. “Professor, why isn’t it ‘THE life is short’? Or ‘A life is short’?” The watch glowed softly. Professor Wisdom smiled. “Let’s meet someone who understood this deeply.”

The Journey

Rome, 180 AD. The sun sets over the city. Luna and Professor Wisdom stand in a quiet garden. An older man sits alone. He writes in a small book.

This is Marcus Aurelius. He is the emperor of Rome. But he is also a philosopher. He thinks about life and death every day. He writes at night after ruling all day.

Tonight, the emperor looks tired. He has fought wars. He has lost friends. He has seen people die. But he still writes. His hand moves slowly across the page.

“Life is short,” he writes. “Time is limited. Death comes to everyone.”

Luna watches him write. No “the.” No “a.” Just “Life.” Just “Time.” Just “Death.”

The emperor continues: “Wealth cannot save you. Power cannot stop time. Love is what matters. Wisdom is what stays.”

Around them, the garden is peaceful. The smell of flowers fills the air. The sound of water flows from a fountain. The emperor’s face shows deep calm.

Before Marcus, Romans feared death. They built big tombs. They tried to be remembered forever. But Marcus taught something different. Accept death. Live well today. Be kind now.

His words changed how people think. His book, “Meditations,” still teaches people today. Millions read his wisdom. They learn the same truth. Life is short. Make it count.

Luna feels the weight of his words. This man ruled millions. But he knew something important. Time stops for no one.

The Insight

Professor Wisdom spoke quietly. “Luna, when we talk about things in general, we use no article. Marcus didn’t write about ‘a life’ or ‘the life.’ He wrote about life itself. All life. Life as a concept.”

“We say ‘Life is short’ because we mean all life everywhere. We say ‘Love is important’ because we mean love in general. We say ‘Time is limited’ because we mean all time for everyone.”

“When something is general, true for everyone, we don’t need ‘a’ or ‘the.’ We just say the word.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

1. “Water is essential for humans.” — talking about all water
2. “Music makes people happy.” — music in general
3. “Happiness comes from inside.” — the concept of happiness
4. “Children need love and care.” — all children everywhere
5. “Knowledge is power.” — a famous general truth
6. “Freedom is precious.” — freedom as an idea

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: “___ health is more important than ___ money.”
   (Choose: a, the, or nothing)

2. Choose the correct:
   a) The life is beautiful.
   b) Life is beautiful.

3. Match the general statements:
   – “Time…” → “…is limited”
   – “Education…” → “…opens doors”
   – “Kindness…” → “…costs nothing”

4. Complete: “Marcus taught that ___ wisdom is better than ___ power.”

5. Your turn: Write one general truth about life using no article.
   (Example: “Love conquers fear.”)

Answer Key:

1. Health / money (both are general concepts)
2. b) Life is beautiful (general statement about life)
3. Time is limited, Education opens doors, Kindness costs nothing
4. wisdom / power (both general concepts)
5. Check: Does your sentence talk about something in general? Did you use no article?

The Lesson

Back in her room, Luna understood. Some truths are universal. Life. Death. Love. Time. They don’t need “a” or “the.” They simply are. Marcus knew this 2,000 years ago. His wisdom still speaks today. Some truths never change.