LET thy chief fort and place of defence be, a mind free from passions. A stronger place, (whereunto to make his refuge, and so to become impregnable) and better fortified than this, hath no man.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book viii. 46.
AND in thy passions, take it presently to thy consideration, that to be angry, is not the part of a man, but that to be meek and gentle, as it savours of more humanity, so of more manhood. That in this, there is strength and nerves, or vigour and fortitude ; whereof anger and indignation is altogether void. For the nearer everything is unto dispassionateness, the nearer it is unto power. And as grief doth proceed from weakness, so doth anger. For both, both he that is angry and that grieveth, have received a wound, and cowardly have as it were yielded themselves unto their affections.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book xi. 16.
Being 'dispassionate'is not the same as being 'unfeeling' if one remembers that the passions are great movements of the soul, the four negative emotions: anger, desire, delight, and fear. We still have joy, caution, gratitude, serenity and the like.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that others perception might be that you don't care rather than are in control of one's passions. We are such a passionate society that it might be difficult to deal with others and follow this stoic guideline.
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