Ethically Yours

Interesting how many ideals from Stoic philosophy can be found in later interpretations of Xtianity…and in AA. Good read if death bothers you. Also fun if you compare to zennish ideals.

Melden, A. I. (1967). Ethical theories; a book of readings (2d ed.). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.,: Prentice-Hall.

"Of things some are in our power, and others are not." (150)

"If it relates to anything which is not in our power, be ready to say, that it does not concern you."

"Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things." (152)

"Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life." (152)

"On the occasion of every accident (event) that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use.’ (152)

"Practice then this which you are able to do. He is the master of every man who has the power over the things, which another person wishes or does not wish, the power to confer them on him or to take them away. Whoever then wishes to be free, let him neither wish for anything nor avoid anything which depends on others: if he does not observer this rule, he must be a slave." (153)

"For this is your duty, to act well the part that is given you; but to select the part, belongs to another." (154)

"You can be invincible, if you enter into no contest in which it is not in your power to conquer." (154) (C.f. The Book of Five Rings)

"Remember that it is not he who reviles you or strikes you, who insults you, but it is your opinion about these things as being insulting. When then a man irritates you, you must know that it is your own opinion which has irritated you. Therefore especially try not to be carried away by the appearance. For if you once gain time and delay, you will more easily master yourself." (154) (C.f. Roadhouse…3:00-3:16)

"As a mark is not set up for the purpose of missing the aim, so neither does the nature of evil exist in the world." (156)

"You must be one man, either good or bad." (157)

"Duties are universally measured by relations." (157)

"For another will not damage you, unless you choose: but you will be damaged then when you shall think that you are damaged." (157)

"For if it is any of the things which are not in our power, it is absolutely necessary that it must be neither good nor bad." (158)

"Refuse altogether to take an oath, if it is possible: if it is not, refuse as far as you are able." (159)

"If your companion be impure, he also who keeps company with him must become impure, though he should happen to be pure." (159)

"As to pleasure with women, abstain as far as you can before marriage: but if you do indulge in it, do it in the way in which is conformable to custom. Do not however be disagreeable to those who indulge in these pleasures, or reprove them; and do not often boast that you do not indulge in them yourself." (159)

"If a man has reported to you, that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defense (answer) to what has been told you: but reply, The man did not know the rest of my faults, for he would not have mentioned these only." (159)

"When you are going to meet with any person, and particularly one of those who are considered to be in a superior condition, place before yourself what Socrates or Zeno would have done in such circumstances, and you will have no difficulty in making a proper use of the occasion." (159)

"When you are decided that a thing ought to be done and are doing it, never avoid being seen doing it, thought the many shall form an unfavorable opinion about it. For if it is not right to do it, avoid doing the thing; but if it is right, why are you afraid for those who shall find fault wrongly?" (160)

"These reasons do not cohere: I am richer than you, therefore I am better than you; I am more eloquent than you, therefore I am better than you. On the contrary these rather cohere, I am richer than you, therefore my possessions are greater than yours: I am more eloquent than you, therefore my speech is superior to yours. But you are neither possession nor speech." (161)

"At a banquet do not say how a man ought to eat, but east as you ought to eat." (162)

"For even sheep do not vomit up their grass and show to the shepherds how much they have eaten; but when they have internally digested the pasture, they produce externally wool and milk. Do you also show not your theorems to the uninstructed, but show the acts which come from their digestion." (162)

"When a man is proud because he can understand and explain the writings of Chrysippus, say to yourself, If Chrysippus had not written obscurely, this man would have nothing to be proud of." (162) (C.f. Derek Parfit)