Stoic Prompt week 13 (2024)
"How disgraceful is the lawyer whose dying breath passes while at court, at an advanced age, pleading for unknown litigants and still seeking the approval of ignorant spectators." Seneca, On the Brevity of Life, 20.2
Why do I care so much about impressing people?
I had a girlfriend, right out of the army, who I fought with tooth and nail over the stupidest stuff. One time we were in the University's Student Union bickering heatedly about something stupid, I am sure. At some point, she turns to some student at an adjacent table and asks, "What do you think?" Without missing a beat he replies, "I think you two like an audience." I should have learned my lesson then, but I did not. I don't know if I've ever learned it.
Trying to find inner peace by polling one's friends or one's acquaintances for their opinions regarding one' self is a fool's errand. Performing for social approval is pitiful. But I still do it. Well, not very often these days, more so in my youth. Thank goodness I did not jump on the social media bandwagon. What a time consuming and worthless exercise that is. I guess writing this blog qualifies, but I don’t promote it. Nobody sends in comments, so no danger to engage in knuckle headedness.
Stoic Don'ts
1- Don't be overheard complaining. Not even to yourself. Marcus Aurelius
2. Don't talk more than you listen. Two ears one mouth. Zeno
3. Don't tie your identity to the things you own. Those things are fragile and can be taken from you at any Moment. Epictetus
4. Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy. Seneca
5. Don't suffer imagined troubles. Seneca
6- Don't suffer before you need to. Those things will happen or they won't. Seneca
7. Don't overindulge in food or drink. This is the idea of temperance. Musonius
8. Don't fear change. Everything that is good that has happened to you is change. Marcus Aurelius
9. Don't look outside ourselves for approval. Marcus Aurelius
10. Don't seek revenge- The best revenge is to not be like them. Marcus Aurelius.
