You may say: "Come now; is not a man happier when girt about with a large company of friends and children?"
Why should this be so? For the Supreme Good is neither impaired nor increased thereby; it abides within its own limits, no matter how Fortune has conducted herself. Whether a long old age falls to one's lot, or whether the end comes on this side of old age—the measure of the Supreme Good is unvaried, in spite of the difference in years.
Whether you draw a larger or a smaller circle, its size affects its area, not its shape. One circle may remain as it is for a long time, while you may contract the other forthwith, or even merge it completely with the sand in which it was drawn; yet each circle has had the same shape.
That which is straight is not judged by its size, or by its number, or by its duration; it can no more be made longer than it can be made shorter. Scale down the honorable life as much as you like from the full hundred years, and reduce it to a single day; it is equally honorable.
Why should this be so? For the Supreme Good is neither impaired nor increased thereby; it abides within its own limits, no matter how Fortune has conducted herself. Whether a long old age falls to one's lot, or whether the end comes on this side of old age—the measure of the Supreme Good is unvaried, in spite of the difference in years.
Whether you draw a larger or a smaller circle, its size affects its area, not its shape. One circle may remain as it is for a long time, while you may contract the other forthwith, or even merge it completely with the sand in which it was drawn; yet each circle has had the same shape.
That which is straight is not judged by its size, or by its number, or by its duration; it can no more be made longer than it can be made shorter. Scale down the honorable life as much as you like from the full hundred years, and reduce it to a single day; it is equally honorable.
—from Seneca, Moral Letters 74
I am naturally inclined to carefully observe the people around me, and this happens to be quite useful for the daily practice of Stoicism. I take note, for example, of how often our conversations revolve around faulting other people, and this helps me to avoid casting blame on others, when I should really be improving myself.
Similarly, whenever I foolishly find myself impressed by the worldly status of others, I consider the implicit standards of benefit and harm we regularly express in our offhand comments. By reflecting on the assumptions that we must surely be happier if we have more money, or more friends, I begin to see how superficial and empty such values truly are, and I am then eager to mend my own ways.
When success is constantly described by what we possess on the outside, instead of who we are on the inside, is it any wonder that we are so easily intimidated by fortune and fame?
As a teacher, I see my students grappling with their social standing, trying to impress their peers so they might claim a greater number of “friends”. It isn’t just the young who fall for this, because the faculty are engaged in similar games of posturing at our endless committee meetings. I also travel in circles where proud Catholic men feel superior for having as many children as possible, to the point where there is almost a pecking order for fecundity, which in turn seems to determine how long they may grow their beards.
I stand back for a moment, and I remind myself to walk away from the madness. I am no better or worse from the list of contacts on my phone, or the titles I can put after my name, or the growing collection of moppets I parade about at church. I am better or worse from my virtues or vices, plain and simple.
Where an informed conscience is present, all other things can come and go. The quantity of accessories does not affect the quality of character, which is complete in itself, the perfection of our human nature. The circle may be large or small, but it remains a circle. The line may be long or short, but it never wavers in being straight. Beyond what we might prefer, a long life is not superior to a short life, and fame is not nobler than obscurity.
“He was blessed by having a legion of friends!” Yes, but did he treat any stranger with decency and respect? The was all he had to do.
“She died too young!” Perhaps, but did she live with integrity during the brief time she was given? That was her chance to shine.
Though it is so common, I am now wary about using the language of judging a man by his circumstances. I do not think it terribly important if a professor is “esteemed”, and creating more miniature versions of myself does not increase my merits, no more than a fat wallet can take the place of a wise and loving soul. How many is quite secondary to how well.
Any place is enough, any time is enough, any company is enough.
I am naturally inclined to carefully observe the people around me, and this happens to be quite useful for the daily practice of Stoicism. I take note, for example, of how often our conversations revolve around faulting other people, and this helps me to avoid casting blame on others, when I should really be improving myself.
Similarly, whenever I foolishly find myself impressed by the worldly status of others, I consider the implicit standards of benefit and harm we regularly express in our offhand comments. By reflecting on the assumptions that we must surely be happier if we have more money, or more friends, I begin to see how superficial and empty such values truly are, and I am then eager to mend my own ways.
When success is constantly described by what we possess on the outside, instead of who we are on the inside, is it any wonder that we are so easily intimidated by fortune and fame?
As a teacher, I see my students grappling with their social standing, trying to impress their peers so they might claim a greater number of “friends”. It isn’t just the young who fall for this, because the faculty are engaged in similar games of posturing at our endless committee meetings. I also travel in circles where proud Catholic men feel superior for having as many children as possible, to the point where there is almost a pecking order for fecundity, which in turn seems to determine how long they may grow their beards.
I stand back for a moment, and I remind myself to walk away from the madness. I am no better or worse from the list of contacts on my phone, or the titles I can put after my name, or the growing collection of moppets I parade about at church. I am better or worse from my virtues or vices, plain and simple.
Where an informed conscience is present, all other things can come and go. The quantity of accessories does not affect the quality of character, which is complete in itself, the perfection of our human nature. The circle may be large or small, but it remains a circle. The line may be long or short, but it never wavers in being straight. Beyond what we might prefer, a long life is not superior to a short life, and fame is not nobler than obscurity.
“He was blessed by having a legion of friends!” Yes, but did he treat any stranger with decency and respect? The was all he had to do.
“She died too young!” Perhaps, but did she live with integrity during the brief time she was given? That was her chance to shine.
Though it is so common, I am now wary about using the language of judging a man by his circumstances. I do not think it terribly important if a professor is “esteemed”, and creating more miniature versions of myself does not increase my merits, no more than a fat wallet can take the place of a wise and loving soul. How many is quite secondary to how well.
Any place is enough, any time is enough, any company is enough.
—Reflection written in 10/2013
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