Empty-handed
The Greek Emperor, Alexander the Great was a warrior and ruler who had conquered nearly one third of the then-known world, but he fell ill with a terminal illness. A few days before his death, Alexander called his ministers and explained how he would like his body to be carried in the burial procession. He wanted openings made on either side of his coffin, through which his hands should be kept hanging out, with the palms spread open. The Ministers were puzzled and asked their lord why he wanted this to be done.
Alexander explained that in this way, every-one would come to know that the ‘Great Alexander’, who had spent his whole life striving to possess and conquer the world, had left the world totally empty handed. Therefore they would understand how futile it is to spend one’s life chasing after the world and its objects.
