Brick by boring brick
You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible - and no one can keep you from this. But there will be some external obstacle! Perhaps, but no obstacle to acting with justice, self-control, and wisdom. But what if some other area of my action is thwarted? Well, gladly accept the obstacle for what it is and shift your attention to what..
Finding the right mentors
We like to say that we don't get to choose our parents, that they were given by chance - yet we can truly choose whose children we'd like to be. Seneca, On the Brevity of Life 15.3a . 우리는 부모를 선택할 수 없고, 그들이 우연에 의해 주어졌다고 말하고 싶지만, 사실 우리는 진정으로 누구의 아이가 되고 싶은지 선택할 수 있습니다.
When to stick and when to quit
Think of those who, not by fault of inconsistency but by lack of effort, are too unstable to live as they wish, but only live as they have begun. Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, 2.6b . 생각해 보라, 일관성의 결여가 아니라 노력의 부족으로 인해 원하는 대로 살지 못하고, 단지 시작한 대로만 살아가는 사람들을
Blow your own nose
We cry to God Almighty, how dan we escape this agony? Fool, don't you have hands? Or could it be God forgot to give you a pair? Sit and pray your nose doesn't run! Or, rather just wipe your nose and stop seeking a scapegoat. Epictetus, Discourses, 2.16.13 . 우리는 전능하신 하나님께 외칩니다, 어떻게 이 고통에서 벗어날 수 있습니까? 어리석은 자여, 손이 있지 않은가? 아니면 하나님이 당신에게 손을 주는 것을 잊으셨단 말인가? 앉아서 코가 흐르지 않기를 기도하라! 아니면 그냥 코를 닦고 희샹양을 찾는 것..
It is well to flexible
He can't serve in the military? Let him seek public office. Must he live in the private sector? Let him be a spokesperson. Is he condemned to silence? Let him aid his fellow citizens by silent public witness. Is it dangerous to enter the Forum? Let him display himself, in private homes, at public events and gatherings as a good associate, faithful friend, and moderate tablemate. Has he lost the ..
Plato's view
How beautifully Plato put it. Whenever you want to talk about people, it's best to take a bird's-eye view and see everything all at once - of gatherings, armies, farms, weddings and divorces, births and deaths, noisy courtrooms or silents spaces, every foreign people, holidays, memorials, markets - all blended together and arranged in pairing of opposites Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.48 . 플라..
Always have a mental reverse clause
Indeed, no one can thwart the purposes of your mind - for they can't be touched by fire, steel, tyranny, slander, or anything. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.41 . 실로, 그 누구도 당신 마음의 목적을 방해할 수 없습니다. 그것은 불, 강철, 폭정, 중상모략, 그 어떤 것으로도 손댈 수 없기 때문입니다.