Simple Stoic Advice
Destroyed by perception
Destroyed by perception
The beautiful thing about Stoic philosophy is the advice contained within it is just as applicable today as it was when it was first written all those many years ago. We can learn a great deal from interpreting the advice provided and using it to our advantage as we go throughout our own lives.
Today’s quote comes to us courtesy of Epictetus, Enchiridion, entry 25:
Quote
“If someone has been placed ahead of you at a banquet or in a reception line or in being called on as a consultant, you should be pleased that he has got these things, if they are good. But if they are bad, don’t be upset because you didn’t get them. Keep in mind that you cannot expect to get an equal share of the things that are not up to us without doing the same things others have done. If you don’t hang out at someone’s door or go around with him or flatter him, how can you have the same share of his regard as the person who does these things?”
Advice
There is a misperception within the world that provides us the understanding that the world is in someway fair. In fact, much of our disappointment and pain in life stems from this misperception. We see what others have, usually material possessions, and we feel that ping of jealousy and envy. We become disappointed that we do not have the same things.
To some, external validation by way of a new car, fancy diamond ring, or luxury house brings what they believe to be satisfaction. But this is fleeting. More often than not, the things we wished to possess the most were just manifestations of an inner need for something else.
The Stoics believed and actually cautioned against this type of validation. By putting worth in external things, we become attached to them, and once we are attached, our perceptions of those things change, and we are no longer able to objectively see the thing for what it is.
And that is problematic. However, what tends to be more problematic is that individuals will sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the external, thus corrupting their inner selves.
By flipping this around and seeing the cost it took others to attain the things we desired, we’re better able to objectively view them. We can gain distance from our desires and be more aware of the costs one had to go through to attain them. Epictetus is also reminding his students about the Dichotomy of Control and the desire for things of which they have no control over.
The goal of a Stoic is to gain perspective in all areas of our lives. Avoid placing one’s worth in externals. They are fleeting.
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