(독서) Daily Stoic-7월 26일 WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING

"When you see someone often flashing their rank or position, or someone whose name is often bandied about in public, don't be envious; such things are bought at the expense of life.... Some die on the first rungs of the ladder of success, others before they can reach the top, and the few that make it to the top of their ambition through a thousand indignities realize at the end it's only for an inscription on their gravestone."-SENECA, ON THE BREVITY OF LIFE, 20 ("누군가 자주 자신의 계급이나 지위를 과시하거나, 누군가의 이름이 공공연하게 언급되는 것을 보면, 부러워하지 마십시오. 그런 것들은 인생의 대가로 얻어진 것입니다. 성공의 사다리 첫 단계에서 죽는 사람도 있고, 정상에 도달하기도 전에 죽는 사람도 있으며, 천 가지 굴욕을 견디며 야망의 정상에 오른 소수는 결국 그것이 무덤의 비문을 위한 것일 뿐이라는 것을 깨닫습니다." - 세네카, 인생의 짧음에 대하여, 20장)   Sometimes our professional commitments can become an end unto themselves. A politician might justify the neglect of his family for his office, or a writer might believe her "genius" excuses antisocial or selfish behavior. Anyone with some perspective can see that, in fact, the politician is really just in love with fame, and the writer enjoys being condescending and feeling superior. Workaholics always make excuses for their selfishness.   While these attitudes can lead to impressive accomplishments, ...

"Whenever disturbing news is delivered to you, bear in mind that no news can ever be relevant to your reasoned choice. Can anyone break news to you that your assumptions or desires are wrong? No way! But they can tell you someone died-even so, what is that to you?"-EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.18.1-2 ("불안한 뉴스가 전달될 때마다, 어떤 뉴스도 여러분의 합리적인 선택과 관련이 있을 수 없다는 점을 명심하세요. 누군가 여러분의 가정이나 욕망이 틀렸다는 소식을 전할 수 있을까요? 절대 안 됩니다! 하지만 누군가가 죽었다고 말할 수는 있겠지만, 그게 여러분에게 무슨 의미가 있을까요?"-에픽테토스, 담화, 3.18.1-2)   A well-meaning friend might ask you today: "What do you think about [insert tragedy from the other side of the world]?" You, in your equally well-meaning concern, might say, "I just feel awful about it."   In this scenario, both of you have put aside your reasoned choice without doing a single thing for the victims suffering from the actual tragedy. It can be so easy to get distracted by, even consumed by, horrible news from all over the world. The proper response of the Stoic to these events is not to not care, but mindless, meaningless sympathy does very little either (and comes at the cost of one's own serenity, in most cases). If there is something you can actually do to help these suffering people, then, yes, the ...

"Receive without pride, let go without attachment." -MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.33 ("자만하지 말고 받아들이고, 집착하지 말고 놓아버리십시오." - 마르쿠스 아우렐리우스, 명상록, 8.33)     In the midst of the breakdown of the Roman Republic, during the civil war between Pompey and Caesar, Pompey made the decision to give control of the military fleet to Cato. It was a massive honor and hugely powerful position. But then a few days later, responding to the protests of his jealous inner circle, Pompey reversed his decision and took the command away.   It could have been seen as an enormous public humiliation—to be given a promotion and then have it taken away. The record shows that Cato's reaction was basically nothing. He responded to the honor and the dishonor the same way: with indifference and acceptance. He certainly didn't let it affect his support for the cause. In fact, after the snub, he worked to rally the soldiers before battle with inspirational speeches-the very men who should...

"Nothing is noble if it's done unwillingly or under compulsion. Every noble deed is voluntary."-SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 66.16b ("억지로 하거나 강요받아 하는 일은 고귀하지 않다. 모든 고귀한 일은 자발적이어야 한다." - 세네카, 도덕서한, 66.16b)  You don't have to do the right thing. You always have the option to be selfish, rude, awful, shortsighted, pedantic, evil, or stupid. In fact, sometimes there are incentives to break bad. Certainly, not every criminal gets caught.   But how does this line of thinking usually work out for people? What's that life like?   You don't have to do the right thing, just as you don't have to do your duty. You get to. You want to. 올바른 일을 하지 않아도 됩니다. 당신은 언제든지 이기적이고, 무례하고, 끔찍하고, 근시안적이고, 형식적이고, ...

"Whenever you have trouble getting up in the morning, remind yourself that you've been made by nature for the purpose of working with others, whereas even unthinking animals share sleeping. And it's our own natural purpose that is more fitting and more satisfying."-MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.12 (“아침에 일어나기 힘들 때, 자신이 자연에 의해 다른 사람들과 함께 일하도록 만들어졌다는 것을 기억하십시오. 심지어 아무 생각 없이 잠을 자는 동물들조차도 그렇습니다. 그리고 그것이 우리의 자연스러운 목적이며 더 적합하고 만족스러운 것입니다.” - 마르쿠스 아우렐리우스, 명상록, 8.12) If a dog spends all day in bed-your bed, most likely-that's fine. It's just being a dog. It doesn't have anywhere to be, no other obligation other than being itself. According to the Stoics, we humans have a higher obligation-not to the gods but to each other. What gets us out of bed each morning-even when we fight it like Marcus did—is praxeis koinonikas apodidonai (to render works held in common). Civilization and country are great projects we build together and have been building together with our ancestors for millennia. We are made for cooperation (synergia) with each other.   So if you need an extra boost to get out of bed this morning, if you need something more than caffeine can offer, use this. People are depending on you. Your purpose is to help us render this great work together. And we're ...