Passages: Steve Jobs at 56

His contributions were significant, his vision clear, Apple Computers co-founder Steve Jobs passed away yesterday after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.

This quote, from a commencement speech Jobs gave at Stanford University in 2005, gives us a tiny glimpse of the man credited with some of the 21st century’s most important inventions thus far.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.