WHO is it that hath fitted the sword to the scabbard, and the scabbard to the sword? Is it no one? From the very construction of a complete work, we are used to declare positively, that it must be the operation of some artificer, and not the effect of mere chance. Doth every such work, then, demonstrate an artificer; and do not visible objects, and the sense of seeing, and Light, demonstrate one?
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book i. §6, ¶2.
SEE the practice of those who play skilfully at ball. No one contends for the ball, as either a good or an evil; but how he may throw and catch it again. Here lies the address, here the art, the nimbleness, the sagacity; that I may not be able to catch it, even if I hold up my lap for it; another may catch it whenever I throw it. But if we catch or throw it with fear or perturbation, what kind of play will this be? How shall we keep ourselves steady; or how see the order of the game? One will say, Throw; another, Do not throw; a third, You have thrown once already. This is a mere quarrel, not a play.
E. D. ii. 5, 3.
M: Sounds remarkably like the argument for ID (even including the eye argument!) Nevertheless, the assumption of logos is here, that all follows a pattern or design.
ReplyDeleteP: He is talking about life, not play. If we approach it with fear and trepidation, people are are going to question our every move. Predators will pick of those who appear weak. So boldly go...
M: Yeah, I see it that way, as responding to then universe as to the rules of a game. The rules exist and we can either follow them and play, or resist the rules and create a quarrel.
The worth of an object is not in itself but in its ability to be used to craft a life. A talent is also much the same in that it is the use of the talent that gives it worth. If we use our lives, talents and abilities with skill to enrich our world it is far more valuable than if we hide our talents and keep them to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLearning to increase our talents for the betterment of society increases their capacity to bring enlightenment, joy and wonder to the world we live in. We should strive to perfect our various skills and share them in benevolence with our family, friends and the greater world around us.
Summary: The ball has no value, but how it is used in play. So in life, how we behave is greater that what have. Virtue is acts not games.
ReplyDeleteWhat we are thrown in life, and what we catch, are often up to fate and chance. It is how we act, how we treasure or dismiss, use or abuse, nurture or destroy, that is the measure of our wisdom. Do we have a job, a home, a friend, a life? What do we do with those? Are we putting things to their 'proper use'? Are we interacting virtuously with the world we have been granted?