If you set your desire on philosophy you must at once prepare to meet with ridicule and the jeers of many who will say, 'Here he is again, turned philosopher. Where has he got these proud looks?'
No, put on no proud looks, but hold
fast to what seems best to you, in confidence that God has set you at this
post. And remember that if you abide where you are, those who first laugh at
you will one day admire you, and that if you give way to them, you will get
doubly laughed at.
—Epictetus,
The Handbook, Chapter 22 (tr
Matheson)
What
defines the philosopher will mean different things at different times and to
different people. For the Ancients, philosophy was seen primarily as a way of
living, while for us Moderns it is primarily a professional exercise in
academic circles. From the Stoic perspective, the former would be a
transformation of daily practice, while the latter would, in itself, be only an
exercise in theory for the attainment of office.
If a
philosopher wishes to gain honor, then he would most certainly put on proud
looks, much like a celebrity performer or a politician. But if he is interested
only in improving his own wisdom and virtue, regardless of what others may
think of him, he will be content to appear the fool.
Our
mothers would often tell us to never mind those who mocked and ridiculed us,
because they were only doing it out of jealousy. Now I hardly know if the
bullies and the blowhards consciously wanted what I had, though I do think they
were made deeply uncomfortable by anyone or anything that was different from
them. In a world where the pursuit of pleasure, fame, wealth, and power are all
too common, the philosopher, in practice and not just in theory, will certainly
be very different, and he will certainly find himself the odd one out.
Plato
spoke of the philosopher returning to the Cave, not to fall back into ignorance
but to help others ascend to wisdom, and being thought insane by those who
still perceived reality through impressions. I must consider the source when I
untangle praise and blame.
We too
often forget that our highest calling is to pursue what is right and to remain
firm in that conviction, regardless of the obstacles. Nothing else is worthy of
respect. I have lived many such instances of struggle and opportunity on a
daily basis. Sometimes I have muddled through, and sometimes I have failed. How
can I praise friendship, while at the same time betraying a friend? How can I
honor truth, and tell lies out of convenience? How can I respect justice, while
also taking what isn’t mine to take? How can I admire courage, and crawl into
the corner at the first sign of danger?
It isn’t
rocket science. I need only hold the post, and keep the watch. It matters
little whether others give you commendations or reprimands.
Written in 7/1994
Image: Salvator Rosa, Portrait of a Philosopher (early 17th c.)
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