Stoicism (P2) – Thế nào là một triết học thực hành

Begin the morning by saying to yourself, I shall meet with the busybody, the ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, unsocial. All these things happen to them by reason of their ignorance of what is good and evil. But I, who have seen the nature of the good that it is beautiful, and of the bad that it is ugly, and the nature of him who does wrong, that it is akin to me, not only of the same blood or seed, but that it participates in the same intelligence and the same portion of the divinity, I can neither be injured by any of them, for no one can fix on me what is ugly, nor can I be angry with my kinsman, nor hate him. For we are made for cooperation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of the upper and lower teeth. To act against one another then is contrary to nature; and it is acting against one another to be vexed and to turn. 

                                                                                                                Meditations – Marcus Aurelius.

Constantly observe and put yourself in the shoes of others, both who offend and adulate you. If you can see clearly what are their ruling principles and the core sources of their opinions and appetites, you will neither blame those who offend you involuntarily, nor will you want their approbation.

                                                                                                                Meditations – Marcus Aurelius.

What can the most insolent man do if you remain relentlessly kind and, given the opportunity, counsel him calmly and gently even while he’s trying to harm you? We should genuinely value each and every person we meet, and by valuing them, I cannot act against them and consider myself reasonable. Let there be nothing ironic or scolding in your tone, but speak with true affection and with no residue of resentment in your heart. Don’t lecture him. Don’t embarrass him in front of others. But address him privately even if others are present. 

                                                                                                                Meditations – Marcus Aurelius

Remember that it is we who torment, we who make difficulties for ourselves – that is, our opinions do. What, for instance, does it mean to be insulted? Stand by a rock and insult it, and what have you accomplished? If someone responds to insult like a rock, what has the abuser gained with his invective?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Discourse - Epictetus.

Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.

                                                                                                                            The Discourse - Epictetus.

“When [the wise man] is bidden to give [property] up, he will not complain of Fortune, but will say, ‘I thank you for what I have had possession of: I have managed your property so as largely to increase it, but since you order me, I give it back to you and return it willingly and thankfully.'”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   On Peace of Mind - Seneca 

“If they visit us at home, they should admire us, rather than our household appointments. He is a great man who uses earthenware dishes as if they were silver; but he is equally great who uses silver as if it were earthenware.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Moral letters to Lucilius - Seneca

Avoid those things that please the many, the gifts that fortune brings. Be suspicious, be timid, resist every good that comes by chance. It is by the allurements of hope that the fish is caught, the game snared. Do you think these are the blessings of fortune? They are traps. Any one of you who wants to live in safety must make every effort to shun those baited favors admidst which we, poor creatures, are deceived. We think we have hold of them, in fact they have hold of us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Moral letters to Lucilius - Seneca

For every challenge, remember the resources you have within you to cope with it. Provoked by the sight of a handsome man or a beautiful woman, you will discover within you the contrary power of self-restraint. Faced with pain, you will discover the power of endurance. If you are insulted, you will discover patience. In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate.                                                                                                                                                                                 Enchiridion - Epictetus

Speak without judging

Someone bathes in haste; don’t say he bathes badly, but in haste. Someone drinks a lot of wine; don’t say he drinks badly, but a lot. Until you know their reasons, how do you know that their actions are vicious? This will save you from perceiving one thing clearly, but then assenting to something different. ­                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The Discourse – Epictetus.