I wonder if I didn’t have past experience acting immoderately, if I would be capable of grasping the logic, reason, and virtue of Aristotle’s words? And I further wonder, if I am “guilty” of such acts, is that now a source of my strength? 🤔
Agreed! I feel like I’m opening Pandora’s Box, but doesn’t this beg the question how can we preach virtue unless one has not been virtuous? Moreover, does this imply teaching Stoicism, and its practice, is, essentially, for those who are not Stoic? I think we discussed that since birth we are correcting what we have done. Only a Sage needn’t. But the Stoics say this is continuous no matter to what.
“You should keep learning as long as you are ignorant, – even to the end of your life, if there is anything in the proverb. And the proverb suits the present case as well as any: ‘As long as you live, keep learning how to live.’For all that, there is also something which I can teach in that school. You ask, do you, what I can teach? That even an old man should keep learning.” (Seneca, Moral Epistles, 71.3)
I might be losing focus like Lowell on the canals of Mars that were the blood vessels in his eye! 😊🤷🏻♂️
Eliza, my time’s up to edit! ✍️😊 Maybe Massimo can edit the number. 🙏🏻😊 Otherwise it’s letter 76.3 LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom in Old Age, as you mention. Thanks. 👍😊
Mike, to be honest also 71.3 is a good one: The archer must know what he is seeking to hit; then he must aim and control the weapon by his skill. Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind. Chance must necessarily have great influence over our lives, because we live by chance
That was my initial thought as well. For example, you may learn moderation in drinking from hangovers, but it’s hard to learn from abstinence. However we can learn from observation as well, hopefully. And there are degrees of moderation. Two drinks a day, one drink a week, and so forth. What might work for me may not work for you. So while learning the principles through observation, one must keep experimenting and thereby keep learning by experience and the observation of that experience and its benefits or effects until death. Sorry to use alcohol as an example but it does provide a good analogy I think.
We can preach virtue even though we are not sages, that is perfectly virtuous. Just like we can teach mathematics even if we are not the world’s best mathematician.
No, teaching Stoicism is for those who choose that path, i.e., those who think of themselves as Stoics. Of course, anyone can so choose.
I wonder if I didn’t have past experience acting immoderately, if I would be capable of grasping the logic, reason, and virtue of Aristotle’s words? And I further wonder, if I am “guilty” of such acts, is that now a source of my strength? 🤔
Great question. Experience is the best teacher.
Agreed! I feel like I’m opening Pandora’s Box, but doesn’t this beg the question how can we preach virtue unless one has not been virtuous? Moreover, does this imply teaching Stoicism, and its practice, is, essentially, for those who are not Stoic? I think we discussed that since birth we are correcting what we have done. Only a Sage needn’t. But the Stoics say this is continuous no matter to what.
“You should keep learning as long as you are ignorant, – even to the end of your life, if there is anything in the proverb. And the proverb suits the present case as well as any: ‘As long as you live, keep learning how to live.’For all that, there is also something which I can teach in that school. You ask, do you, what I can teach? That even an old man should keep learning.” (Seneca, Moral Epistles, 71.3)
I might be losing focus like Lowell on the canals of Mars that were the blood vessels in his eye! 😊🤷🏻♂️
Mike, I think your quote is 76.3
Eliza, my time’s up to edit! ✍️😊 Maybe Massimo can edit the number. 🙏🏻😊 Otherwise it’s letter 76.3 LXXVI. On Learning Wisdom in Old Age, as you mention. Thanks. 👍😊
Sorry Mike, can’t edit readers’ comments, which seems fair!
Mike, don't worry 😊. Thanks to you I was able to read to quotes instead of one 😉
Thank you, Eliza! 🙏🏻❤️😊 I don’t know what I’m doing! 😊🤷🏻♂️ Will fix now! Thank you! 👍😊
Mike, to be honest also 71.3 is a good one: The archer must know what he is seeking to hit; then he must aim and control the weapon by his skill. Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind. Chance must necessarily have great influence over our lives, because we live by chance
Yes, I saw that! 😊 It’s one of the most memorable and visual of quotes he has written. 😊👍✍️🙏🏻
That was my initial thought as well. For example, you may learn moderation in drinking from hangovers, but it’s hard to learn from abstinence. However we can learn from observation as well, hopefully. And there are degrees of moderation. Two drinks a day, one drink a week, and so forth. What might work for me may not work for you. So while learning the principles through observation, one must keep experimenting and thereby keep learning by experience and the observation of that experience and its benefits or effects until death. Sorry to use alcohol as an example but it does provide a good analogy I think.
Good analogy! 😊👍
🍷
We can preach virtue even though we are not sages, that is perfectly virtuous. Just like we can teach mathematics even if we are not the world’s best mathematician.
No, teaching Stoicism is for those who choose that path, i.e., those who think of themselves as Stoics. Of course, anyone can so choose.
Flawlessly logical. 😊👍
My guess is “yes” to both questions.