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  BOYHOOD QUESTIONS
  by Clement of Rome
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Summary: Clement reflects on his early life, his habit of reasoning
about death and existence, and the philosophical questions that have
shaped his understanding of the world and his place in it.

Topics: "Eternal Life", "Mortal Existence"
Scripture References: Job 11:7, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Isaiah 55:8, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 2:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Clement of Rome reflects on the nature of existence, contemplating the
idea of life after death and the eternal nature of the world. He
grapples with questions about the purpose of life, the concept of
eternity, and the possibility of existence beyond the physical realm.
Through his introspective thoughts, Clement seeks to understand the
mysteries of life, death, and the unknown future.

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CONTENT
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I Clement, being a Roman citizen, even from my earliest youth was able
to live chastely, my mind from my boyhood drawing away the lust that was
in me to dejection and distress. For I had a habit of reasoning--how
originating I know not--making frequent cogitations concerning death:
When I die, shall I neither exist, nor shall any one ever have any
remembrance of me, while boundless time bears all things of all men into
forgetfulness? And shall I then be without being, or acquaintance with
those who are; neither knowing nor being known, neither having been nor
being?

And has the world ever been made? And was there anything before it was
made? For if it has been always, it shall also continue to be; but if it
has been made, it shall also be dissolved.

And after its dissolution, shall there ever be anything again, unless,
perhaps, silence and forgetfulness? Or perhaps something shall be which
is not possible now to conceive.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/clement-of-rome/boyhood-questions/
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