How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
If you have anger issues, this one is a great tool (h/t mindyourbusiness)
Disclaimer: I’m not your Supervisor. These are my opinions after reading through these books a few times.
Epictetus was born a slave around 50 ad. His owner was Epaphroditus, a rich freedman who was once a slave of Nero. Though he was a slave Epictetus was sent to study philosophy under Musonius Rufus.
Epictetus was lame and there are some stories it was caused by his master and others that it was caused by disease.
He was a freedman when all philosophers were banished from Rome in 89 by the Emperor Domitian. He then started his school in Greece, and had many students. He did not leave any writings from his lessons, but one of his students, Flavius Arrian, took notes and wrote the Discourses.
Epictetus did not marry, had no children, and lived to be around 80-85. In retirement, he adopted a child that would have been abandoned and raised him with a woman.
He died sometime around AD 135.
He is my favorite Stoic teacher. I love his bare bones and very straight forward approach.
We finally finished Epictetus.
Discourses and Selected Writings
Here are my favorite lessons from the second section of the book:
That confidence does not conflict with caution
About knowing the things under your control to be confident with your decisions and being cautious with the things you have no control over.
On tranquillity
If you have a solid understanding of external and internal forces then it makes it easier to be calm in difficult situations.
To the man who had once been caught in adultery
How being dishonest in one facet of your life makes you untrustworthy in others.
Of indifference in things
Knowing that your possessions and lifestyle are not guaranteed and being able to accept losing them.
How is it possible to discover a man’s duties from the designations which he bears?
How to conduct yourself in the many roles you fill in daily life and not lose your integrity and self-respect.
Upon the art of argumentation
How to argue consistently and honestly, using Socrates as a guide.
Of anxiety
How to use the Stoic philosophy to keep anxiety at bay.
To those who cling obstinately to the judgements which they have once formed
How to honestly examine beliefs and be open minded about changing them.
That we do not practice the application of our judgements about things good and evil
Actually understanding the difference between good an evil as it relates to Stoicism and not just giving trite answers.
How must we struggle against our external impressions?
The importance of consistently following Stoicism and not just when it’s easy or convenient.
Of inconsistency
The importance of not letting emotions make our decisions.
Of friendship
How to identify and cultivate true friendship and not mistaking an acquaintance for a friend.
What is the distinctive characteristic of error?
How to identify when you make a mistake and correct it.
Next 2 weeks, I will go through section 3 and section 4, by then I should have decided which book I will go through next.
“How to identify when you make a mistake and correct it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTUehno3rkM
I was expecting something with explosions.
🙁
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td67kYY9mdQ
Will Zeron Mamdammy denounce the Cuban junta as traitorous imperialist lackeys?
Wow it’s quiet today. Everyone must be out drinking at their Juneteenth BBQ’s.
Drinking their Kool-Aid pineapple drinks.
When did pineapple become the stereotype flavor? It was always Cherry or grape.
I feel like fried chicken today.
Gustave:
Not a flavor, a food. Like Kool-Aid pickles.
Why are there no pictures on that article??
Purple Drink.
Sure is. I can’t believe I was first comment an hour in.
No celebrations here. Just work. And later I am going to get to go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Woohoo!
Late meeting followed by a late lunch and a short walk outside.
How to argue consistently and honestly, using Socrates as a guide – i will come to america and punch you in the dick
Oh waiy no words thats right
Aren’t you more likely to bite people on the neck?
Dick punching first, neck biting second.
How to use the Stoic philosophy to keep anxiety at bay. – i mean that what whisky is for
Thanks Ron! It has been a stressful week and efforts to keep anxiety at bay has had mixed results.
I’m closing a project for the first time with our new absurdly complex methodology. On a project where all the leaders retired or otherwise left the company and their replacements are questioning decisions made last year (which I did document thoroughly). Really harshed my tranquility.
Now I know the new routine and have 4 more projects to close in the 4 months. Confident they will go better.
A co-worker is leaving our company in Missouri for Florida to become the next Florida-man. His last day was today and he cooked bbq’ed pork steaks. Do they have pork steaks in Florida or is it transitioned into Iguana or Gator steaks?