Lorem ipsum and the Meaning of Life %u2013 How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. Lorem ipsum is a mangled Latin phrase taken from a Cicero text, and used in publishing as filler in graphic design applications. However, as Donald Robertson examines the actual Cicero text, the phrase acquires a subtext of meaning, and can be used to discuss the philosophers who pondered the meaning of life in early human history. Lorem is a piece of the word "dolorem", Latin for "pain". Ipsum means "very" in Latin. It is a nonsense phrase, taken out of context. However, the passage from Cicero that it comes from is a discussion of pain and pleasure, and humans' natural desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Of course, the Stoics tell us that pain is unavoidable, and the best way to deal with it is to welcome it as part of life, and to bear it with dignity. The Epicureans thought that pleasure was the ultimate good, and that it should be sought at all cost. Of course, as with all things, it gets complicated. Some find pleasure in pain, or the cessation of it. Some austere souls avoid pleasure, and find enjoyment in their austerity. Somewhere in all of this lies an understanding of life, and each of us gets to decide how we are going to live. You get to decide today whether you are going to accept the pain of your existence, as well as the pleasures the day provides, and get on with life, or curl up in a ball and avoid all sensations. I hope you decide to soldier on, and enjoy the day. It's the only one you've got. 