“ Embrace all change, not just change that benefits you.
Carolyn Hax.
more of what i like
a collection of things that caught my eye/ear/brain
see also:
mlarson.orgflickr
last.fm
blip.fm
etc.
“ They cannot admire you for intellect. Granted—but there are many other qualities of which you cannot say, “but that is not the way I am made”. So display those virtues which are wholly in your own power—integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity. Do you not see how many virtues you can already display without any excuse of lack of talent or aptitude? And yet you are still content to lag behind.
Marcus Aurelius.
“ It is ridiculous not to escape from one’s own vices, which is possible, while trying to escape the vices of others, which is impossible.
Marcus Aurelius.
“ All things are short-lived—this is their common lot—but you pursue likes and dislikes as if all was fixed for eternity. In a little while you too will close your eyes, and soon there will be others mourning the man who buries you.
Marcus Aurelius on fame, death, and social media.
“ The body, too, should stay firmly composed, and not fling itself about either in motion or at rest. Just as the mind displays qualities in the face, keeping it intelligent and attractive, something similar should be required of the whole body. But all this should be secured without making an obvious point of it.
Marcus Aurelius on style, grace, comportment.
“ No more roundabout discussion of what makes a good man. Be one!
Marcus Aurelius, who then goes on to write two more chapters. Fair warning: I just finished reading this and typing up favorite parts, so brace yourself for more Marcus Aurelius quotes.
“ Always make a definition or sketch of what presents itself to your mind, so you can see it stripped bare to its essential nature and identify it clearly, in whole and in all its parts, and can tell yourself its proper name and the name of those elements of which it is compounded and into which it will be dissolved.
Marcus Aurelius. I’m taking the words out of context here so it appears that he likes sketching. I’ve been reading Martin Hammond’s Penguin translation and bookmarking every 3 paragraphs or so.
“ For if he shall begin to fall into dotage, perspiration and nutrition and imagination and appetite, and whatever else there is of the kind, will not fail; but the power of making use of ourselves, and filling up the measure of our duty, and clearly separating all appearances, and considering whether a man should now depart from life, and whatever else of the kind absolutely requires a disciplined reason, all this is already extinguished. We must make haste then, not only because we are daily nearer to death, but also because the conception of things and the understanding of them cease first.
Marcus Aurelius, reminding you that even if you live a long life, those last years probably won’t be very useful. Have a great day!
The Discourses by Epictetus, Book One - The Internet Classics Archive
The latest in my journey through stoicism. Last night while reading this I realized I was reading ideas from 2000 years ago on an iPad. Mind blown.
Bear and endure. Have you not received faculties by which you will be able to bear all that happens? Have you not received greatness of soul? Have you not received manliness? Have you not received endurance? And why do I trouble myself about anything that can happen if I possess greatness of soul? What shall distract my mind or disturb me, or appear painful? Shall I not use the power for the purposes for which I received it, and shall I grieve and lament over what happens?
“Yes, but my nose runs.”
“ We must be indulgent to the mind, and from time to time must grant it the leisure that serves as its food and strength.
Seneca.
On Tranquillity of Mind - Seneca
As predicted, I’ve been on a stoicism bender. This was a good one to dive into early, as my recent Heraclitus and Seneca might have tipped you off. This bit on friendship was one of my favorite parts:
Nothing, however, gives the mind so much pleasure as fond and faithful friendship. What a blessing it is to have those to whose waiting hearts every secret may be committed with safety, whose knowledge of you you fear less than your knowledge of yourself, whose conversation soothes your anxiety, whose opinion assists your decision, whose cheerfulness scatters your sorrow, the very sight of whom gives you joy! We shall of course choose those who are free, as far as may be, from selfish desires; for vices spread unnoticed, and quickly pass to those nearest and do harm by their contact.
“ It is hard to contend against passion, for whatever it craves it buys with its life.
Heraclitus.
“ We cannot bear toil or pleasure or ourselves or anything very long.
Seneca in On Tranquillity of Mind.
“ It is weariness upon the same things to labor and by them to be controlled. In change is rest.
Heraclitus.
