The Cure to Desperation
It’s wise to know the price you’re paying for them.
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The Cure to Desperation
“Remember to conduct yourself in life as if at a banquet. As something being passed around comes to you, reach out your hand and take a moderate helping. Does it pass you by? Don’t stop it. It hasn’t yet come? Don’t burn in desire for it, but wait until it arrives in front of you. Act this way with children, a spouse, toward position, with wealth—one day it will make you worthy of a banquet with the gods.” — Epictetus
You want to win. To be a great writer, parent, nurse. Insert your profession.
Living in this world also bids you desire financial freedom, a loving spouse, creative success. Get a promotion, win the election.
You want to attend the concert. Or the event you’ve planned on going for the last two years.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting those goods.
They enhance the quality of your human experience.
But it’s wise to put them in perspective. Handle them in due proportion.
Knowing how much people and things can have power over you when they’re the source of what you need, it’s prudent to be careful with how much you value them. It’s wise to know the price you’re paying for them.
There’s no use gaining the world but losing yourself.
The cure to desperation Stoics recommend means you shouldn't want or value external things to the extent that you prostrate yourself — lose your soul. Owe people. Act against your cherished ideals. Do diabolical sht. Destabilize your emotional balance when you don’t get or lose them.
Know what’s worth valuing above all else — wisdom and being pro-social.
Act as if you already have much, like you don't need these indifferent goods — even if they can have a positive impact on your life. Like you're ready to give these things back to fortune at any time — for they have insignificant claim to your happiness.
Make your well-being come from inside you: how you think, the choices you make, how beautiful your character is, and how you act.
How? Through practice.
But, shouldn't you obsess over getting better and being victorious? You should.
It’s a sin not to bless the world with your greatness. But with the attitude that virtue is the highest good and that’s enough for your fulfillment. With the attitude that you'll make the best of whatever misfortune life brings.
So, focus on the things you control: the reps, your diet, applying for the position, writing the articles, cold emails, being a better friend, having fun.
That’s what is up to you and you can rely on it to make you happy. But you have to see it as enough.
The Aesthetic Experience
"...aesthetic pleasure in the beautiful consists, to a large extent, in the fact that, when we enter the state of pure contemplation, we are raised for the moment above all willing, above all desires and cares; we are, so to speak, rid of ourselves." — Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Representation)
The Stoics were big fans of appreciating the beauty in the world. This comeliness is reflected in the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. The artful expression of Stoic ideas is why the book still resonates 2,000 years later.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them…for such thoughts wash away the dust of earthly life.”
In the spirit of washing away the dust of earthly life, these are the three art pieces I found interesting this week. Enjoy.
Exhibit I
Exhibit II
Exhibit III
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Have a great week ahead,
Antonius Veritas.