Motivation is why people behave a certain way. It is the driving force of human behavior and is what drives actions towards a desired goal. There are copious amounts of different motivating forces. In Homer's Iliad it is honor and glory, while in the Confessions love guides Augustine's actions. In the Meditations, Marcus Aurelius argues that the transitory nature of life is the incentive behind human action. Despite differences in reasoning and motivation, all four texts demonstrate the natural tendency of human beings to give in to desire in the pursuit of happiness. However, true happiness exists only in divine love. Consequently, focusing on the ego and one's desires leads to separation and rejection of divine love and leads, inevitably, to unhappiness and harm to oneself and others. The desire and ultimate goal of the heroes of the Iliad is fame that lasts even after death. Honor and glory guide every action and response they make because honor and glory define the hero in their society. War was an opportunity for many to find honor and glory, as it could be achieved through great and courageous deeds in battle. Achilles and Hector are both portrayed as great fighters as their presence greatly influences a battle. Paris, on the other hand, must be dragged out of the city to fight in the war he instigated. Only when Hector "raked him with insults, biting insults" and shameful things about his character did he return to battle (6.384). Good social standing is essential to the fame and power heroes desire. If Paris wants to be considered honorable and glorious, he must leave the safety and comfort of his home and pull his weight in battle. Ultimately, Paris' pride and desire to be appreciated and respected... middle of paper ......n die. Therefore, it is important to live as if it were your last day and strive to be a better person. For this reason, human beings should realize that giving in to the desires of the physical world will not constitute eternal happiness. It is only with the help of the gods that humans can be truly happy and when the time comes to abandon life, Marcus Aurelius encourages humans to welcome death "because [the gods] would not involve you in anything bad" (2.11). Death should be seen as a precious release because, with the love and grace of God, the soul is freed from the battered shell of flesh. By actively choosing the corruptible elements of the physical world over eternal, perfect forms, human beings carry evil within themselves. In the Confessions, Augustine is torn between sexual desire and spiritual desire. Motivated by love he tries to find a solution to his division.