(독서) Daily Stoic 7월 28일 CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE

"Often injustice lies in what you aren't doing, not only in what you are doing."-MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 9.5 ("종종 불의는 당신이 하고 있는 일뿐만 아니라 하지 않는 일에도 있다." - 마르쿠스 아우렐리우스, 명상록, 9.5)   History abounds with evidence that humanity is capable of doing evil, not only actively but passively. In some of our most shameful moments-from slavery to the Holocaust to segregation to the murder of Kitty Genovese-guilt wasn't limited to perpetrators but to ordinary citizens who, for a multitude of reasons, declined to get involved. It's that old line: all evil needs to prevail is for good men to do nothing.   It's not enough to just not do evil. You must ...

"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...