"The mind must be given relaxation-it will rise improved and sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced- for they will quickly lose their fertility if never given a break-so constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of the mind. But it regains its powers if it is set free and relaxed for a while. Constant work gives rise to a certain kind of dullness and feebleness in the rational soul."-SENECA, ON TRANQUILITY OF MIND, 17.5
("마음은 휴식을 가져야 합니다. 좋은 휴식 후에는 더욱 향상되고 예리해질 것입니다. 비옥한 들판도 강제로 경작하면 안 됩니다. 끊임없이 사용되면 비옥함을 빨리 잃을 것이기 때문입니다. 마찬가지로, 마음도 끊임없이 단련하면 힘이 약해지고 맙니다. 그러나 잠시 자유롭고 이완되면 다시 힘을 되찾습니다. 끊임없는 작업은 이성적인 영혼에 어떤 종류의 둔함과 약화를 가져옵니다."– 세네카, 『마음의 평정에 관하여』, 17.5)
One can't read Marcus Aurelius and Seneca and not be struck by the difference between these two radically different personalities. Each had his own strengths and weaknesses. Which would you rather have entrusted with the immense responsibility of an empire? Probably Marcus. But who would you rather be as a person? Probably Seneca.
One of the reasons is that Seneca seems to have had what we would now refer to as work/life balance. Whereas Marcus can read as though he's worn down and tired, ...
기계와 경쟁하면 결국 탈진한다는 말이 정말 명언이네요. 적절한 휴식이 필요한 요즈음입니다. 덕분에 휴식의 중요함을 생각하는 글읽기였습니다. 감사합니다.