Head-dibs

"Whosoever embraces necessity count as wise, skilled in divine matters."  --Euripedes, quoted by Epictetus, Enchiridion , 53

"When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shrink from being seen to do it, even though the world should misunderstand it; for if you are not acting rightly, shun the action itself; if you are, why fear those who wrongly censure you?" - The Enchiridion by Epictetus, XXXV

Epictetus ends the Enchiridion quoting poetry and the final lines communicate the final, and perhaps greatest lesson. Quoting Euripides (a writer of Greek drama and tragedy) Epictetus gives what sounds like a blessing, saying, "Whoe'er yields properly to Fate is deemed Wise among men, and knows the laws of Heaven.” Take a moment to ponder the consequence to the one who will not yield to wisdom. Listen to the voice of wisdom. "Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 'How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you!'" (Proverbs 1:20-23)

"Never call yourself a philosopher, nor talk a great deal among the unlearned about theorems, but act conformably to them. Thus, at an entertainment, don't talk how persons ought to eat, but eat as you ought. For remember that in this manner Socrates also universally avoided all ostentation. And when persons came to him and desired to be recommended by him to philosophers, he took and- recommended them, so well did he bear being overlooked. So that if ever any talk should happen among the unlearned concerning philosophic theorems, be you, for the most part, silent. For there is great danger in immediately throwing out what you have not digested. And, if anyone tells you that you know nothing, and you are not nettled at it, then you may be sure that you have begun your business. For sheep don't throw up the grass to show the shepherds how much they have eaten; but, inwardly digesting their food, they outwardly produce wool and milk. Thus, therefore, do you likewise not sho...

"If any one tells you that such a person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: 'He was ignorant of my other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.'" (Epictetus, Enchiridion 33h)

"When you do anything from a clear judgment that it ought to be done, never shrink from being seen to do it, even though the world should misunderstand it; for if you are not acting rightly, shun the action itself; if you are, why fear those who wrongly censure you?" (Epictetus, Enchiridion 35)

" Be mostly silent; or speak merely what is needful, and in few words. We may, however, enter sparingly into discourse sometimes, when occasion calls for it; but let it not run on any of the common subjects, as gladiators, or horse-races, or athletic champions, or food, or drink, -the vulgar topics of conversation; and especially not on men, so as either to blame, or praise, or make comparisons. If you are able, then, by your own conversation, bring over that of your company to proper subjects; but if you happen to find yourself among strangers, be silent." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 33b) Don't weigh others down with trivialities or use words that will embarrass others or yourself. Avoid saying something you'll regret, out of or anger or carelessness or passion. Say what is needful for the moment. Talk about what matters or be quiet.

Yesterday a few short comments were posted regarding Enchiridion 45, but the post was incomplete. Please consider this supplemental:  "Does anyone bathe in a mighty little time? Don't say that he does it ill, but in a mighty little time. Does anyone drink a great quantity of wine? Don't say that he does ill, but that he drinks a great quantity. For, unless you perfectly understand the principle from which anyone acts, how should you know if he acts ill? Thus you will not run the hazard of assenting to any appearances but such as you fully comprehend." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 45) Couched within these words is the Stoic principle of "calling a thing what it is." This is an exercise in perception. Epictetus makes you think about what you see: a person takes a quick bath--what do you say about it? "You did that wrong"? Or someone drinks too much. Do you pass judgement about it and say that what the person does is wrong? Instead you should s...

"Avoid public and vulgar entertainments; but if ever an occasion calls you to them, keep your attention upon the stretch, that you may not imperceptibly slide into vulgarity. For be assured that if a person be ever so pure himself, yet, if his companion be corrupted, he who converses with him will be corrupted likewise." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 33e) Vulgarity only demonstrates lack of personal control and knowledge of vocabulary. Set a high standard, one of dignity, of self-mastery. Nobody lingers around what is putrid. What is gained by fetid language or entertainment? 

"Does anyone bathe in a mighty little time? Don't say that he does it ill, but in a mighty little time. Does anyone drink a great quantity of wine? Don't say that he does ill, but that he drinks a great quantity. For, unless you perfectly understand the principle from which anyone acts, how should you know if he acts ill? Thus you will not run the hazard of assenting to any appearances but such as you fully comprehend." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 45) Reading this one is the reminded of the "here, just let me do it" syndrome. You know it.  Someone is preparing eggs for scrambling and she beats them with a fork. But you would have used a whisk! Or beaters! "Here, let me do it!" And all is well with the world now.  Or you are doing a project and someone asks if they can help so you let them, but they are doing that one thing in such a way that you just . . . "here let me do it." And all is well with the world. Again. 

These reasonings have no logical connection: 'I am richer than you; therefore I am your superior.' 'I am more eloquent than you; therefore I am your superior.' The true logical connection is rather this: 'I am richer than you; therefore my possessions must exceed yours.' ' I am more eloquent than you; therefore my style must surpass yours.' But you, after all, consist neither in property nor in style." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 44) Remember that old saying, "whoever has all the toys at the end, wins"? It's not true. Anyone thinking himself or herself better than another does not know who they are. Anyone who roots their identity in property or talent comes up woefully short. How did one determine his property or talent was the standard, to begin with? Could someone be still more richer? What happens to superiority then? Is copper able to purchase the same as gold? Is being fluent in one language mean one is proficient in all lan...

"It is a mark of want of intellect, to spend much time in things relating to the body; as to be immoderate in exercises, in eating and drinking, and in the discharge of other animal functions. These things should be done incidentally and our main strength be applied to our reason." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 41) I can't help but wonder what the background is to this statement. I've not read enough Stoic philosophy to get the full picture of the principle. One feature that seems clear (key word: "seems"--in my opinion) is that Epictetus is making a statement against Epicurianism. In sweeping over-generalizations, permit me to explain what I do understand: Epicurianism held that "good" is whatever brings the most pleasure, so that which brings happiness is what is worth pursuing. "Do what you like" or "do your own thing" as long as it does not interfere with the happiness of someone else. Stoicism, on the other hand, advocates v...

"When walking, you are careful not to step on a nail or turn your foot; so likewise be careful not to hurt the ruling faculty of your mind. And, if we were to guard against this in every action, we should undertake the action with the greater safety." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 38) Recently I saw a post where a barefoot runner asked his neighbors to clear the acorns off the sidewalks that lined his running route. His neighbors responses were (how shall we say), "insightful," such as "try wearing shoes" and the like. As a trail runner myself, I am tempted to contribute a thought or three, but my opinion is only that: an opinion (such as "embrace the suck, buddy. That's the joy of barefoot running."). I recall visiting the Cayman Islands as a boy (above, napping after snorkeling in the cove) and how we had to wear shoes near the waterfront due the exposed coral that jutted it's sharp black teeth upward. No sand along the shore: just c...

"If you have assumed any character above your strength, you have both made an ill figure in that [one] and quitted one which you might have supported." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 37) See yesterday's post:  Enchridion 23: Contentment "If you live in harmony with nature you will never be poor; if you live according to what others think, you will never be rich."   (Seneca)

"If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals for the pleasure of any one, be assured that you have ruined your scheme of life. Be contented then, in everything, with being a philosopher; and if you wish to seem so likewise to any one, appear so to yourself, and it will suffice you."  (Epictetus, Enchiridion 23) The principle is simple: be content with who you are. “We all love ourselves more than other people, but care about their opinion more than our own." (Marcus Aurelius) Simple, and worth the meditation.

"If you have an earnest desire of attaining to philosophy, prepare yourself from the very first to be laughed at, to be sneered by the multitude, to hear them say, 'He is returned to us a philosopher all at once,' and 'Whence this supercilious look?' Now, for your part, don't have a supercilious look indeed; but keep steadily to those things which appear best to you as one appointed by God to this station. For remember that, if you adhere to the same point, those very persons who at first ridiculed will afterwards admire you. But if you are conquered by them, you will incur a double ridicule."  (Epictetus, Enchiridion 22) There's no reason to make a show of whatever you do (practicing the love of wisdom, pursuing self improvement or diet, engaging in some kind of training--preaching to the choir here). People will see changes as you make them and may at first respond in less encouraging ways. Make sure to exercise humility. No need to put on airs a...

"Let death and exile, and all other things which appear terrible be daily before your eyes, but chiefly death, and you will never entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 21) Stratospheric traces of our transitory flight Trails of condensation held in narrow bands of white The sun is turning black The world is turning gray All the stars fade from the night The oceans drain away Horizon to Horizon memory written on the wind Fading away, like an hourglass, grain by grain Swept away like voices in a hurricane In a vapor trail Atmospheric phases make the transitory last Vaporize the memories that freeze the fading past Silence all the songbirds Stilled by the killing frost Forests burn to ashes Everything is lost Washed away like footprints in the rain In a vapor trail

"When you see anyone weeping in grief because his son has gone abroad, or is dead, or because he has suffered in his affairs, be careful that the appearance may not misdirect you. Instead, distinguish within your own mind, and be prepared to say, 'It's not the accident that distresses this person, because it doesn't distress another person; it is the judgment which he makes about it.' As far as words go, however, don't reduce yourself to his level, and certainly do not moan with him. Do not moan inwardly either." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 16) Think of this as a case study: someone you know is in some kind of distress. What do you do? What should you say? Stoic philosophy provides a lens through which one may view and choose as it is not external matters that negatively affect you, but the judgment about those matters. So what steps do we take when facing an external event? What is the source of harm or negative effect on you? First (in this ca...

"Remember that you must behave in life as at a dinner party. Is anything brought around to you? Put out your hand and take your share with moderation. Does it pass by you? Don't stop it. Is it not yet come? Don't stretch your desire towards it, but wait till it reaches you. Do this with regard to children, to a wife, to public posts, to riches, and you will eventually be a worthy partner of the feasts of the gods. And if you don't even take the things which are set before you, but are able even to reject them, then you will not only be a partner at the feasts of the gods, but also of their empire. For, by doing this, Diogenes, Heraclitus and others like them, deservedly became, and were called, divine." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 15) Imagine a situation where protocol, manners are everything. Epictetus imagines a dinner party, where we are on our best behavior. When the food is passed, take with moderation. If it goes by, don't chase it. Wait your turn. ...

"If you wish your children and your wife and your friends to live forever, you are foolish for you wish things to be in your power which are not so; and what belongs to others to be your own. So likewise, if you wish your servant to be without fault, you are foolish for you wish vice not to be vice, but something else. But if you wish not to be disappointed in your desires, that is in your own power. Exercise therefore, what is in your power. A man's master is he who is able to confer or remove whatever that man seeks or shuns. Whoever then would be free, let him wish nothing, let him decline nothing, which depends on others; else he must necessarily be a slave." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 14) I gotta Fortune Cookie written by a Chinese Stoic the other day. How fortunate! It's a goofy pic, so don't read into it too much. My Fortune Cookie (a little Stoic humor tucked away in there) reminds us that that we only control what is in our power, so we are able to...