OLYMPIAN ZEUS doth not lift up his brow, but keeps a steady countenance, as becomes him who is about to say—
“The immutable decree No force can shake: what is, that ought to be."
Pope.
“Such will I show myself to you: faithful, modest, noble, tranquil."—What, and immortal too, and exempt from age and sickness?—"No. But sickening and dying as becomes a god. This is in my power; this I can do. The other is not in my power, nor can I do it." Shall I show you the sinews of a philosopher?
What are they ?
A desire undisappointed: an aversion unincurred: pursuits duly exerted: a careful resolution: an unerring assent. These you shall see.
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book ii. §8. ¶4
This is a great quote. It summarized nicely what the central stoic core is.
ReplyDelete"A desire undisappointed: an aversion unincurred" - wanting only what is our power to will or avoid, that is our own attitudes.
"pursuits duly exerted" - working virtuously towards virtuous ends.
"a careful resolution" - resolving to do things with reservation.
"an unerring assent" - reacting to the real meaning of events, not to what we think they mean.
Ah this is quite the tall order and a lifetime's worth of pursuit of a Stoic's outlook on life. Reacting with prudence after comtemplation and control. Wanting what we have and pursuing only virtuous ends. These are goals worth striving for.
ReplyDeleteThe Sinews of a Stoic Philosopher
ReplyDeleteFaithful, modest, and tranquil
With nobility undettered
A desire undisappointed
And aversions unincurred
Pursuits duly exerted
Assents unerringly made
Resolutions carefully taken
And life embraced unafraid.