OK, I have not been posting like I would like to. The fact of the matter is that I have some irons in the fire, and writing has been scarce. I will get back to it soon. Hopefully, regularly starting in December.
In the meantime, I’ve “modernized” this passage from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations Book 12. Simply beautiful and wise: Continue reading
This is fourth in a series of nine. The first is here.
“Fourth, consider that thou also doest many things wrong, and that thou art a man like others; and even if thou dost abstain from certain faults, still thou hast the disposition to commit them, though either through cowardice, or concern about reputation, or some such mean motive, thou dost abstain from such faults.” Marcus Aurelius Meditations Book 11
Why am I good? Why do I tell the truth, refrain from stealing, act polite with those I can’t stand. Why am I faithful to my wife? Is it primarily because I fear the consequences? Continue reading
…and now for Rule 3 from the Nine rules:
“Third, that if men do rightly what they do, we ought not to be displeased; but if they do not right, it is plain that they do so involuntarily and in ignorance. For as every soul is unwillingly deprived of the truth, so also is it unwillingly deprived of the power of behaving to each man according to his deserts. Accordingly men are pained when they are called unjust, ungrateful, and greedy, and in a word wrong-doers to their neighbours.” The Meditations Chapter 11 Continue reading
I am a man of action, leading with passionate equanimity, rational self-interest, and never forgetting the power of individual liberty. I will never forget that my wife is my queen, and I her king, and that my children are my gift to humanity. I will respect the dignity of all, but measure the character of each. I will honor my body and mind by taking care of them. I will light a candle in darkness.
The passage above is my creed. This is not some fancy introduction to something I read, it really is mine. I developed it over a period of years. Continue reading
I read a great piece today from Brian Kim. It came in an E-mail, but I’ve added his site to the blogroll, because he gets to the heart of things rather quickly on what can be a complicated matter of happiness. If you came here direct to my post, here is the link: briankim.net.
The quote that stuck in my head is Continue reading