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 italicized in bold, my replies are in normal text.
To those who hastily assume the guise of the philosophers Part IV
But, as it is, being merely moved towards philosophy, like dyspeptics who are moved to some paltry foods, which they are bound in a short while to loathe, immediately these men are off to the scepter, to the kingdom. One of them lets his hair grow long, he takes up a rough cloak, he shows his bare shoulder, he quarrels with the people he meets, and if he sees somebody in an overcoat he quarrels with him.
Being forced to change behavior from necessity is not a good long term plan. As soon as the condition passes, it is easy to revert to what I was doing in the first place that likely caused the issue to begin with.
35Man, take a winter’s training first;[9] look at your own choice, for fear it is like that of a dyspeptic, or a woman with the strange cravings of pregnancy*. Practice first not to let men know who you are; keep your philosophy to yourself a little while. That is the way fruit is produced: the seed has to be buried and hidden for a season, and be grown by slow degrees, in order that it may come to perfection. But if it heads out before it produces the jointed stock, it never matures, it is from a garden of Adonis.[10]
Going off half cocked with a bare understanding of what I believe would make it easy to get discouraged that everything isn’t simple like a brief overview would make it look. Once I have a better understanding, I have a better idea of the principles behind the philosophy.
*Reminds me of the time my wife was pregnant and woke me up at 2 am because she wanted Sprite. We had 7up in the fridge, but she wanted Sprite. So even though I had to work in the morning, I went to the convenience store and got her a Sprite. Worst part? She doesn’t remember this happening and swears she would never do such a thing.
That is the kind of plant you are too; you have blossomed prematurely, and the winter will blight you utterly. See what the farmers say about their seeds, when the hot weather comes before its proper time. They are in utmost anxiety lest the seeds should grow insolently lush, and then but a single frost should lay hold of them and expose their weakness.
This happened to our peach tree this year, we had a brief warming spell and the tree spouted dozens of gorgeous flowers. Two days later there was a freeze and all the flowers wilted and died. The same thing can happen to me if I think I know more than I actually do and try too much, then let myself get discouraged as a result. This can apply to philosophy, academic knowledge, and physical skills.
Man, do you also beware; you have grown insolently lush, you have leaped forward to occupy some petty reputation before its due time; you think yourself somebody, fool that you are among fools; you will be bitten by the frost, or rather, you have already been bitten by the frost, down at the root, while your upper part still blooms a little, and for that reason you seem to be still alive and flourishing.[11] 40Allow us at least to ripen as nature wishes. Why do you expose us to the elements, why force us? We are not yet able to stand the open air. Let the root grow, next let it acquire the first joint, and then the second, and then the third; and so finally the fruit will forcibly put forth its true nature, even against my will.
The deeper my knowledge is, the stronger it is. Once I have a solid foundation, I can examine and test my beliefs with less chance of getting in over my head.
For who that has conceived and is big with such great judgements is not aware of his own equipment, and does not hasten to act in accordance with them? Why, a bull is not ignorant of his own nature and equipment, when some wild beast appears, nor does he hang back for someone to encourage him; neither does a dog, when he sees some wild animal; and shall I, if I have the equipment of a good man, hang back, so that you may encourage me to do what is my own proper work? But as yet I do not have the equipment, believe me. Why, then, do you wish to have me wither away before my time, as you yourself have withered?
As I have grown in my belief and understanding of Stoicism, it has become easier to do things that used to be a struggle. It has become more natural to control my anger. When it does affect me (usually because I’m hungry but don’t realize) it seems strange. I got more positive reinforcement of this yesterday. My car had its A/C fixed so my wife drove me to work and was supposed to pick me up to go get the Saab. When I finished work and called her, she had forgotten and was leaving home when she answered. I had to wait an hour for her. In the past I would not have yelled, but I would have acted peevish and childish about it. This time, I just laughed at her and didn’t get upset after my initial flash of anger when I hung up my phone. I am still not perfect, but it is good to see evidence that I have improved.
*Reminds me of the time my wife was pregnant and woke me up at 2 am because she wanted Sprite. We had 7up in the fridge, but she wanted Sprite. So even though I had to work in the morning, I went to the convenience store and got her a Sprite. Worst part? She doesn’t remember this happening and swears she would never do such a thing.
When my sister was pregnant for the first time, I asked if she had any strange food cravings. Her husband responded, “Oh, no; she just craves food in general!”
In the past I would not have yelled, but I would have acted peevish and childish about it. This time, I just laughed at her
Oh, she’s going to remember that. :-p
She felt so bad it was funny.
She was at her friend’s house chatting, then she started to leave on time.
At the door they started talking some more and next thing she knew, I was calling her.
This happened to our peach tree this year, we had a brief warming spell and the tree spouted dozens of gorgeous flowers. Two days later there was a freeze and all the flowers wilted and died.
Ack! That’s no good.
Especially because this was the first year we were expecting fruit.
We planted it a couple years ago and it has grown well from 3′ to over 10′.
Last year we had some small fruits that were mostly pit.
This year it had a ton of flowers, so we thought we would get some nice peaches.
Hopefully next year is better
It’s not fair! The taxpayers owe you compensation. Or maybe the oil companies that have screwed up our previously perfect climate.
Waiting long periods of time is a LOT easier with a phone or Kindle at hand these days.
::buys ron a case of Snickers::
It runs in the family.
My sister in law bought my brother a t-shirt that said I am sorry for what I said when I was hangry.
https://www.amazon.com/Hangry-T-shirt-Sorry-What-Said/dp/B07PH2DXCH
*snort* A rare fun ad campaign.
Not “hangry” but a particular favorite.
There are a lot of adjustments that have to be made as people age. It’s a test of stoicism but we just need to remember that the changes aren’t intentional.
Off topic and better suited for Sunday, but I won’t be around much then 😉
I posted this on TOS many, many years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI0WHVZ92KE&list=PLGSXE7rAOSAUJNpT3G1s3YlDcrGesdeN9&index=14
This generated an immediate response from multiple midwits calling me “christfag” and other slurs.
I called them idiots and told them to listen to the actual lyrics.
https://x.com/nicksortor/status/2040096177899606195
One of the two pilots rescued so far.
AC 130?
I couldn’t tell.
I’ve seen reports that it was an HC-130J which would make sense, as it’s a search and rescue support variant.
What I’d read had been thirdhand. This appears to be the mid-air refuelling of search helos from the c-130 variant. I obviously cannot verify the authenticity of the clip or it’s date, location, etc.
That makes sense.
They must be damn confident that they have knocked out all the AA to be that low.
Manpads though.
An F-15 was just shot down. That would make it an absolute no-go for prop planes and helos unless the Iranians allowed them.
A few things before jumping the gun Drake – The only source that it was shot down by Iranian forces is the Iranians.
We’ve had friendly fire incidents with our allies, and there’s the possibility of an issue with the plane itself.
The Iranian state media has every incentive in the world to claim credit.
We know it went down, we know we’re looking for the pilots and found one. We know we’re searching with choppers (and probably the HC-130).
I’m inclined to think it might now have been Iranian anti-air systems that took it down.
*might not
silly typo
I have to imagine that there is a massive combat air patrol as well that we aren’t Seeing 10,000’ up.
This was recent and damn close. https://www.twz.com/news-features/navy-f-a-18s-close-call-with-an-iranian-sam-highlights-remaining-risks-to-epic-fury-aviators
UnCiv – who knows. I would think we’d put out audio immediately refuting the incident such as untimely malfunction (happen a lot) or even friendly fire.
I know that would have to be scrubbed before release to public, but right now its thick in the fog as you’ve pointed out.
Agreed, OBE, we don’t have enough information to say what happened to bring it down. It could turn out to be the Iranians in the end.
And im convinced the Kuwaiti incident wasnt mistaken friendly fire and I know former combat pilots feel the same.
From 3door’s linked article on the near miss
I’m not surprised it was a shoulder-launched system in that instance. Those would be the most likely to evade detection and destruction in the early bombing campaign.
Honestly, I had the same thought.
2nd person now rescued. Per X.
🥳
Hahahahahahahaha
That’s fn funny.
Private citizen Gustave demand that Democrats immediately rescind their full employment for retards policy.
Somebody needs her anxiety meds adjusted…
https://www.reddit.com/r/dashcams/comments/1sb5jyw/pickup_blows_red_light_gets_totaled_by_sedan/
The train horn is just chefs kiss.
It’ll buff out.
The sedan won that fight.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth demanded that TSA immediately rescind its “shoes-on” policy, calling it a “reckless act” that may be placing the flying public at risk.
Bless her heart.
Remy for Tammy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXWhbUUE4ko
Trying to be stoic
https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/resident
https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/military-annual
I’ve been meaning to get that for years.
Lazy.
I definitely could use some stoicism in my life these days. In many ways times are trying, and even with full realization that what I can control is limited, I still find myself vexing far too much, far too often. It’s a bad scene.
Very unstoic impatience and forgiveness: Boys over soon, they’re sleeping over tonight and we’re doing Mom’s lamb cake tradition, with egg dyeing for Sunday’s treasure hunt.
On that note: I read England didn’t give an Easter address or something similar, when they did for Ramadan. Pitiful, pathetic, dis/unarmed people living in fear of an invading people and the language and culture they bring.
How the fuck is it anything other than that? (It isn’t, cuz it is.) And the Brits are *paying* for the pleasure of being erased. (Even on their money. Yuck. Christ. Yuck.)
———–
On the positive, interesting front! Chase DeLauter of the Team Formerly Knows as the Indians is playing at Wrigley. DeLauter is also (apparently) a second cousin, once removed… but DeLauter is a step-kid. So. Even more absolutely no relation, but still fun.
(She won’t be upset by watching a Cubs game while we decorate the cakes!)
Here’s rookie DeLauter’s 2026 line: 22 AB; 5 runs; 6 hits; 4 HRs; 5 RBIs — .273 .304 1.122
Charles has been suspected of being a crypto-Muslim since the 90s.
There is ample evidence.
I definitely could use some stoicism in my life these days. In many ways times are trying, and even with full realization that what I can control is limited, I still find myself vexing far too much, far too often. It’s a bad scene.
Who gives a shit?
Repeat as necessary.