UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

ACTIVITY # 2

WHO’S CONCEPT IS COMPATIBLE TO YOU?

I believe that the most compatible to me is Augustine’s concept which states, “Man is
bifurcated in the world”. When I learned about his concept, I remembered the story about a dying
king and his four wives. Like other stories, it started with once upon a time.

Once upon a time, there lived a wealthy king with his 4 wives. One day, he felt sick and later found
out that he was dying. He asked his fourth wife, the one who he spoiled the most with jewelries and
dresses, if she was willing to die with him. She refused and apologized. He asked the same
question to his third wife who he always showed off. He flaunted her in banquets, to the neighboring
countries and kingdoms, to other nobles, he did it in every chance he got. Unfortunately, she
refused as well and even said that she will remarry once the king dies. He then asked his second
wife, who he cherished and loved the most and like the other two, she rejected him. He was
dejected until someone spoke, “I will die with you, I love you. I will leave this world with you”. He
looked at the owner of the voice, it was his first wife. He cried due to regret. He did not care enough
for his first wife yet she was willing to be with him until the end.

Just like the king, we also have four wives of our own. The fourth wife is our body. We value it by
adorning it with clothes and jewelries, living healthily, but we can not bring it along with us once we
perish. The third wife symbolizes our possessions. We flaunt and expose them to people but just
like our body, it is not something we can bring along in the afterlife. Our possessions will end up
with a different owner once we die which is why it was mentioned that the third wife will remarry
once the king dies. The second wife represents our loved ones. They are our families, relatives,
and friends. We cherish and love them but we can not bring them along with us if it is not their time
yet. The fourth wife is our soul. Most of the time, I tend to forget to care for my soul, knowing it is the
only thing that is left to me when my life ends.

The story can be applied to Augustine’s concept. When we leave the land of the living where the
fourth, third, and second wife exist, there is only the first wife left, our soul. It is what will provide us
with eternal life therefore, it is only right that we value it like the other three wives.