Seneca, On Peace of Mind 17.2

But what pleasure there is in that honest straightforwardness which is its own ornament, and which conceals no part of its character? Yet even this life, which hides nothing from anyone runs some risk of being despised; for there are people who disdain whatever they come close to.

But there is no danger of virtue's becoming contemptible when she is brought near our eyes, and it is better to be scorned for one's simplicity than to bear the burden of unceasing hypocrisy.

Still, we must observe moderation in this matter, for there is a great difference between living simply and living slovenly.

The direct approach of attending to my own moral worth leads to serenity, since it asks for nothing beyond itself, and it is not weighed down by any of the anxiety that comes with manipulation.

Is it possible that others will think poorly of us for doing so? Most certainly, and my own experience suggests that it is not only possible, but it is also quite likely.

Those who reduce the world to a game for their own amusement don’t much appreciate it when you choose not to play their game.

There are also those who will feel insulted by your exposure of their own machinations and deceptions, even if you have not challenged them at all, but have simply chosen not to be anything like them.

Still others will become deeply uncomfortable in the face of integrity or compassion of any sort. It hits a sensitive nerve, exposing a part of themselves they have ignored and numbed for far too long; it painfully reminds them of who they really are.

I must then remember that the only good I can do for them is to continue on my path, not to ignore them, but to offer them an alternative to their own scheming. If I start throwing stones back at them, I have abandoned the very dignity of the simple and virtuous life.

I would rather be thought an idiot than to indulge in the false pride of posturing.

I must be careful, of course, not to let my sense of being carefree become its own form of false pride, where acceptance is confused with laziness, or indifference is twisted into thoughtlessness. It is one thing to keep my conscience free of diversions, and quite another thing to abandon my responsibilities. I’ve lost too many friends who started with a desire for a pure heart, only to end up doing little else than smoking pot and listening to Pink Floyd.

I will know the difference only by looking at myself with a brutal honesty, and by not making cheap excuses. I can let others be as they will be, while still holding firmly onto myself.

Written in 1/2012