EUPHRATES was in the right to say, "I long endeavoured to conceal my embracing the philosophic life, and it was of use to me. For, in the first place, I knew that what I did right I did it not for spectators, but for myself. I ate in a proper manner for myself. I had a composed look and walk, all for God and myself. Then, as I fought alone, I was alone in danger. Philosophy was in no danger, on my doing anything shameful or unbecoming; nor did I hurt the rest of the world, which, by offending as a philosopher, I might have done. For this reason, they who were ignorant of my intention used to wonder, that while I conversed and lived entirely with philosophers, I never took up the character. And where was the harm, that I should be discovered to be a philosopher by my actions and not by the usual badges?"
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book iv. §8. ¶4
I understand the respect for the philosophy, as evidenced by the common 'and he calls himself a Christian!!' Bad behaviour in adherents bring bad reflection on the system. But perhaps there is a middle road. One can be aspiring to reflect the teachings of philosophy, if only imperfectly. A title such as acolyte, initiate, student etc, that would denote our imperfect state, might both re-introduce the Philosophy, without causing undue disrepute on the system.
ReplyDeleteLet your biography be your philosophy.
ReplyDeleteWords are cheap. You need to prove what your fundamental beliefs are in the way that you live, love, etc. The way you treat your fellow man is the way that you live your philosophy.
ReplyDeleteIt is terribly difficult to be a teacher of anything when you are, foremost, a humble student of everything.
ReplyDelete"Live your Philosophy" --Yes.
I think initially I kept my stoicism to myself for this exact reason. After much thought and discussion we decided to start sharing the Stoic philosophy with our friends and colleagues. If something makes such a difference in our lives but is not commonly known it needs to be brought back to light again. We NEVER proclaim to be philosophers just merely students in life who wish to share the gift of Stoicism with others. With Stoicism being a mostly "dead" philosophy, I think it is warranted to be a little more public about our affiliation. I do think that the spirit of this message can be take to heart though. The moment that we wear a label of Stoic as some kind of badge of achievement, rather than the name of the road that we travel in life, we have stepped beyond the road of the "student" and into the worrisome swampland of ego and pomposity.
ReplyDelete