How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
If you have anger issues, this one is a great tool (h/t mindyourbusiness)
This week’s book:
Discourses and Selected Writings
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.
Following is a paragraph-by-paragraph discussion of one of his lessons. Epictetus’s text appears in bold, my replies are in normal text.
To those who fear want Part III
Does a good man fear that food will fail him? It does not fail the blind, it does not fail the lame; will it fail a good man? A good soldier does not lack someone to give him pay, or a workman, or a cobbler; and shall a good man?[5] Does God so neglect His own creatures, His servants, His witnesses, whom alone He uses as examples to the uninstructed, to prove that He both is, and governs the universe well, and does not neglect the affairs of men, and that no evil befalls a good man either in life or in death?[6]—Yes, but what if He does not provide food?—Why, what else but that as a good general He has sounded the recall? I obey, I follow, lauding my commander, and singing hymns of praise about His deeds.
External circumstances can affect your life, but I cannot affect them. If there is no food life would be difficult, but being angry and upset would not help the situation.
30For I came into the world when it so pleased Him, and I leave it again at His pleasure, and while I live this was my function—to sing hymns of praise unto God, to myself and to others, be it to one or to many. God does not give me much, no abundance. He does not want me to live luxuriously; He did not give much to Heracles, either, though he was His own son, but someone else was king over Argos and Mycenae, while he was subject, and suffered labours and discipline. And Eurystheus, such as he was, was not king over either Argos or Mycenae, for he was not king even over himself; but Heracles was ruler and leader of all the land and sea, purging them of injustice and lawlessness, and introducing justice and righteousness; and all this he did naked and by himself. And when Odysseus was shipwrecked and cast ashore, did his necessity make abject his spirit, or break it? Nay, but how did he advance upon the maidens to ask for food, which is regarded as being the most disgraceful thing for one person to ask of another?
As a lion reared in the mountains.[7]
My own belief is that God doesn’t care about what happens to us and if he does exist, he is more concerned with how w e handle the things in our life, both blessings and curses. Grace under pressure has always been something I have tried to have and somehow, the smaller the actual problem, the easier to forget this and lose my self control. When there are big problems I know I need to focus and find a solution, but when it’s not a huge deal it has always been easier to get angry first. I say this a lot, but I am way better than I used to be, but I still slip sometimes.
In what did he trust? Not in reputation, or money, or office, but in his own might, that means, his judgements about the things which are under our control, and those which are not under our control.
When it comes down to the problems big or small, this is what decisions should come down to. When I am able to do this I have no unnecessary stress and can focus on what actions I will be taking instead of focusing on the unfairness of it.
35For these are the only things that make men free, that make men unhampered, that lift up the neck of those who have become abject, that make them look with level eyes into the faces of the rich, and the faces of tyrants. And all this was what the philosopher had to give, yet will you not come forth bold, instead of trembling for your paltry clothes and silver plate? Miserable man, have you so wasted your time down to the present?
Being afraid of losing the things I have, when whether or not that happens is a waste of time and energy. Taking steps that I control to help prevent it as far as I can is a much more productive way to control my fears. At the same time I accept that the ultimate result is not up to me.
Yes, but what if I fall ill?—You will bear illness well.—Who will nurse me?—God and your friends.—I shall have a hard bed to lie on.—But like a man.—I shall not have a suitable house.—Then you will fall ill in an unsuitable house.[8]—Who will prepare my food for me?—Those who prepare it for others also. You will be ill like Manes.[9]—And what is also the end of the illness?—Anything but death? Will you, then, realize that this epitome of all the ills that befall man, of his ignoble spirit, and his cowardice, is not death, but it is rather the fear of death? Against this fear, then, I would have you discipline yourself, toward this let all your reasoning tend, your exercises, your reading; and then you will know that this is the only way in which men achieve freedom.
I think death does not bother me. I would rather die later than sooner, but I cam look at my life and realize that I was never a perfect husband or father, I did fairly well at both. I can also accept the fact I had 30 extremely happy years with the only woman I ever truly loved. Most people don’t get that much it seems, soif the time comes I will try to keep that thought in mind. It also helps to understand that things that can happen to anyone can happen to me.
On the bright side I have ran with my Husky 3 times this week. He pisses me off because I am struggling to run and he is walking slightly fast. Sometimes he pulls me because he wants to go faster, but overall he is an excellent running partner and we bth enjoy iy. I am extremely sore, but while my anke is still larger than it used to be, it doesn’t hurt, all of my pain is muscle pain and that will get better as long as I am consistent.
I would like to go to Honey Harvest this year, so I have a few questions for Fourscore:
What are the dates?
Which airport should I fly to?
Where should I book a room?
I can only answer that it should be the third Sunday of the month, ie Sept 21.
Ron,
I sent you an e-mail in case Fourscore doesn’t answer your questions (he’s probably out in his garden as it is beautiful in northern Minnesoda today).
Thanks
There are flights to Brainerd (BRD). I remember the airport having one jetway 30 years ago. Google maps says there is still one jetway.
Ron, Brainerd is a Delta link, if you can fly Delta you’ll save some money. Jimbo lives on the north side, airport on the south side (of Mpls). If any other Glibs are flying in maybe a rental car? There is a shuttle bus that goes into Brainerd, about $75, maybe a little more.
PONick was right, I was outside, going back out.
Patently false information.
No place that has Brain in the name would allow Pope Jimbo to live there.
Even Brainless, New Brunswick?
Jimbo is on the northside of Mpls, Tundra had to leave town in a hurry, lived close to Jimbo.
I stay in Crosslake. Nice little touristy town and pretty close to Fourscore’s compound.
Which airport should I fly to?
I’d say MSP. Only a couple hour drive north from there. Could maybe fly to Duluth, but I doubt you’ll get a direct, exclusively (?) served by regionals I believe, so would probably need a couple of flight legs. MSP would likely be the most convenient and sensible, given that the driving distance saved would be minimal anyway.
On another point, when we went a couple of years ago, it was harder to get a hotel/cabin than I expected. Probably shouldn’t have waited until the couple of weeks! Probably don’t need to reserve now, but I wouldn’t wait until the last minute.
I’d rather drive 2 1/2 hours than fly an hour to save time.
I’d rather drive 2 1/2 hours than fly an hour to save time.
I’d rather drive anywhere that has roads than fly any amount of time.
Check with Kinnath, UCS, CPRM and MikeS, they stay near by. Because HH comes a little later this year there may be more space available.
Considering you need to leave an hour at least for a layover, yeah, drive 2 1/2 hours rather than fly one.
We drove the entire way to HH from SW OH, taking our favorite indirect route across the entire width (length?) of MI’s UP, then back the same way. Traveler’s pro tip: ALWAYS spring for the lake view room!
For lodging, from my single trip (so far) to HH, I can say that we had a very good experience staying at the Good Ol’ Days Resort (found via Booking.com) on the outskirts of charming Nisswa, MN. One heads-up: Nisswa appears to have their big Fall Festival the same weekend, so plan accordingly for booking lodging there and/or for planning to get meals in town.
Looks like a nice place.
If you’re just looking for a comfortable place to sleep without spending a lot, I’d recommend the Nisswa Motel. MikeS and I have both stayed there a few times. Definitely not fancy, but it’s quiet, comfortable, and just two or three blocks from the shopping/eating/drinking area of town.
GT is correct about booking early that weekend in Nisswa.
🙁
I just did the math and I won’t have the vacation time to be at Honey Harvest this year.
The first year I went up, I got a hotel in Brainerd/Baxter on short notice without a problem.
Since then, my wife and I have stayed at the Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. I make those reservations 9+ months in advance. They book up really fast.
The drive from MSP to Brainerd/Baxter is straightforward and very easy. So, I would recommend flying into MSP and driving the rest of the way.
If you look now, you might be able to find a cabin through Vrbo (I have used Vrbo in the past and have been happy).
Ah yes, my Stoic posts where the comment section goes to die.
It’s a friday at noon. They’re all Drunk and I’m trying not to cough up a lung.
Hawt.
More seriously, it’s a mix of factors where people are hesitant to go off topic with so few comments, plus a generally smaller number of active people in this time slot.
I hope it means the weather is nice and people are out doing real-life things.
Well, it’s been raining hard here all day. But I’ve been stuck in the office, so I haven’t been able to enjoy it.
Silent contemplation is very stoic.
Shit. Let’s put you on Saturday evenings and see how long it takes you to give up on life.
I know it happens during those times.
I figured you were just getting drunk with OMWC.
It’s not like there’s lots of activity on Friday afternoons either.
I want to leave early. I’m utterly miserable between this cough and the unwelcome side effects of these cough drops kicking in. But my supervisor has already gone home, and half my team is scheduled to be out, and I’ve already used up too much leave recently. Besides, leaving early on a friday by declarative fiat looks bad.
Realistically speaking, I don’t think I’m going to be all that productive, but there’s only two hours left.
I wish my head didn’t hurt, or that I’d at least remembered to bring some tylenol.
My whole house just got over a hacking nasty cough last week.
Didn’t sleep right and generally felt like crap.
Hang in there, at least you can sleep in tomorrow.
No, I can’t. I have to get to New Hampshire, then back in time to get other people sick in the afternoon.
Gunpowder smoke is good for your sinuses.
Shame we’re using smokeless powder.
Smokeless isn’t odorless,
Just say’n
Apparently there’s a second SIG aficionado in that squad, btw.
@Yusef – the joke was on exact words – the Smoke, not the Smell being good for the sinuses.
@NA – Anyone I’ve met?
@All – When thinking about where to store some ammo I realized it’d go well in the same spot as my art silver, so I was briefly amused at having Plata y Plomo in the same spot.
*I call it art silver, it’s a few krugerrands and some rounds, at the current spot rate, the ammunition is probably worth more, the firearms certainly worth more. That said, don’t burglarize my house, it’s hazardous.
UnCiv: I don’t think so, at least not at KF&G. I can’t remember if you shot steel at SaraSpa.
A few times a while back – But I probably wouldn’t remember any of the others who were just there.
Gotta be somebody there you can bum a Tylenol from.
Thanks violent_k, it looks like I will be buying his son’s 2004 9-5 Saab Estate Wagon.
Because of things we have going on the next few weeks it will wait until the 31st.
Then I fly to Cleveland and drive her home.
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMl0k-zH2Vs5TouQzD4gs0-fqJdEzN7VxjPKJXK3-bQ5Np3c8ROJ5CzzeR2Z0fvEw/photo/AF1QipO2xsCXtlXi7xamCAUkHzRMdCFcKAFnCgmHGW-Q?key=bDhxb09jWjdIUzJwMmEzY1JjRFc2TzJqdWlNb1Jn
Another Saab story?
Hopefully it lasts as long as the last one.
Win! Congrats.
Feel free to reach out if you want to grab a bite or pint while you’re heading out.
OK, not sure of time yet, but I’ll let you know.
Road trip!
Looks clean.
For being a 2004 it looks nice, little blemished, but not bad.
I did not want a newer car and I really liked my old Saab so I think this will be perfect.
I look forward to meeting you, Ron. I’ll meet you at the airport with my son. I have an extra bedroom if you want to leave Sunday morning.
That’s very nice of you, but I would rather hit the road as soon as possible.
I should be flying in around noon.
Awesome. Glib’s at their finest.
Not just old enough to vote and buy beer, old enough to buy a gun!
Huzzah!
“Consider the lilies of the field…”
Very similar lesson.
Ironically enough listening to Charles C.W. Cooke podcast with Ross Douthat about Douthat’s new book Believe.
My lunchtime reading. (Besides Glibs, of course.) TW – It’s crazy long.
Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College ChatGPT has unraveled the entire academic project.
https://archive.fo/fiP8K
Well, if they didn’t already deserve the destruction they’ve brought on themselves, this makes it even more obvious.
The sad thing is that this would be ridiculously easy to solve. In person tests, no open book, essay questions only, hand written.
But that would mean work for these profs. in grading. And we cannot have that.
My thought as well. Other than actual composition.
Plenty of humanities exams that I took with nothing but a lined examination book.
Getting by without a pen took some real creativity. Fortunately, essays in Origami form impressed the professor.
Considering the PC was just coming into real world affordability when I was at Uni, everything was hand centric. And composition should be taught one-on-one to a certain degree, as that is the best way to critique it when starting out. But, again, it can be written long hand in the proverbial blue books. The other big issue, as you know, is plagiarism, and removing the ability for students to cut-and-paste would do a lot to help with this.
So, it can be done, but, as I said, those who are addicted to using tech for everything would throw a fit. And, all things considered, if any of this is to mean something going forward, education I mean, going back to hand written could help with a lot of problems. Far too often we see kids trying to communicate with text and emoji’s. It doesn’t help anyone.
Meh, as a History prof., a lot of what I do is not exam based. I expect students to write papers.
Or bring your laptop, the exam room has no connectivity, the document to be written is distributed as a hashed/watermarked/ secure whatever to each person taking the exam. That way you can type. I suspect a great many students these days can barely write pen-to-paper.
Safe to assume every teacher under age 30 in every school, and every college instructor regardless of age, is cheating.
At this point i assume every government grant application and the resulting “research” is also done by AI.
As is “the news” and nearly every political “debate”.
I am unashamed to say that I used ChatGP to write the personal competencies to my yearly work review. The competencies are silly: Build Effective Teams, Decision Quality, Demonstrates Self-Awareness, Optimizes Work Processes, and Persuades.
I’m fairly convinced that HR used AI to define those competencies in the first place. The definition for Builds Effective Teams is “Builds strong effective teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.” Come on!
If that sentence passes as “AI” then we really are doomed.
Glass harp of note.
That shattered my expectations.
It’s my own fault for trusting a Ted S. link.
Well played, sir.
Well. Played.
Hello Ron,
I read but do not comment on your Stoicism posts each Friday.
“Will you, then, realize that this epitome of all the ills that befall man, of his ignoble spirit, and his cowardice, is not death, but it is rather the fear of death?”
Well said! I have a family member that has been taking every elixir, snake oil, coral based supplement, etc. to possibly avoid the big D and I don’t mean Dallas. They are obsessed with weight, blood pressure, you name it. Meanwhile they are living well, have relatively good health, and are mobile for their age.
Enjoy where you are right now and what you can do and accomplish today. If you worry about what you could do or used to be able to do and can no longer, you will be miserable.
My mom spent the last year of her life terrified to do anything.
She wouldn’t even go to the pool to walk because she was “waiting for the scan” to find out if her cancer had come back.
Meantime her weight which was already really high, just ballooned.
By the time she found out, she was too weak to walk.
By the way all,
Jon Spencer is touring this summer around various spots in the USA. I will be seeing him in Lancaster.
https://youtu.be/6u_EA85kunw
Yeah, he’s playing here in a week and a half. The girlfriend claimed to not recognize the name.
He’s that guy who’s For Hire, right?
Have her watch the first 10 minutes of Baby Driver.
https://youtu.be/7ARFyrM6gVs
CHICKEN DOG!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lql1fTG70VE
The employee allegedly stole hoods, headlights, bumpers, headlight assemblies, running boards, and more from three Ford factories: Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Ford Rouge Complex, and Michigan Assembly Plant.
That’s some quality security you have there Ford! I’m assuming he left with them in his pockets.
https://www.motor1.com/news/759134/ford-parts-theft-ring-busted/
Was he trying to build a Cadillac one piece at a time?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErKI0zWgjg
You beat me to the “Cash” register Derpy.
“I got it one piece at a time.”
https://youtu.be/uErKI0zWgjg
…
…
…
How the hell did they get away with that for so long?
Taillight assemblies with the blind spot sensors.
I kneed the rear light lens on my pickup and cracked the plastic. Multiple hundreds for it and doesn’t have BLIS. Cheapest replacement was eBay for $100 from takeoffs.
The atoms that make up our bodies have been around for billions of years. The genes that are our biological essence have been around for millions of years. Both exist and will continue to exist for eons in countless amounts. Given that, aren’t we all kind of immortal already?
The calcium in our bones came from the dying explosions of stars. How cool is that?
“We are a way for the universe to understand itself.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc
If we’re supposed to be the way the universe understands itself, the universe needs to do better.
You try calculating by having cataclysmic explosions and then squshing the remnants together. See how well you do!
He is. That’s why he said that.
‘We are all made of Star Stuff’
I put that premise forward here before…a couple of years ago I think.
Am I getting this right? A mayor (Newark NJ) and a congress woman have broken into an ICE detaining facility to…do something…free a child rapist and a murderer? Both illegals?
They have both been arrested.
I may not be getting that right.
https://x.com/MAGAVoice/status/1920923933861183746
No, I am not getting it right. It is hard to make out what the commies are claiming. News stories not much better. 48hr rule I guess.
I will point out that this is exactly the kind of shit that the Bolsheviks did to stir shit. Local officials facilitating crime, sabotaging the CJ system, forcing govt to arrest them and then being outraged blah blah. Same playbook, same morons are going to fall for it.
They really really want their revolution. I think they are impatient and think it should have happened already.
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1920925184023765278
So why weren’t the Congressholes arrested, too?
Throw the book at them.
Just the book? That’s pretty laid back for you UCS!
My mind is elsewhere.