This example of the right time to die isn’t about Stoicism, correct? It’s about the meaninglessness of longevity for its own sake? It’s just a starter example.
If I died on September 7, 2014 when I slowly fell to the floor after my CVA half-paralyzed like a longitudinal dissection, I didn’t die; and it was at a time of solidified tenure at CBS News, earning a comfortable living, and possessing great physical strength. However, I had much less wisdom then and or any practice being virtuous. The years that followed I suffered the most unimaginable pain from operations and accidents. I depleted all my life’s savings. Had no financial or time-giving support by family or friends because they are busy with their own lives. (It’s quite a rat race out there.) I live alone on a meager government check that could end anytime. But if I Zeus asked you can return to physical normality and comfort and glory on the condition you lose all the wisdom you gained, I wouldn’t take that deal. So what if Pompey took a turn and made it his mission to practice Stoicism, despite the evils that befell him? His living longer (and having his head served on a silver platter) would have been a better time to die, no?
A person is defined by what they do, and not by what happens to them. Just want to be sure I have this right (and this is pre-Stoic) because otherwise I am long overdue returning this book that is me! 😂
Mike, the example is indeed Stoic, even though it comes from Cicero. Seneca makes similar points in his writings. I think the basic idea here is that quality not quantity of life is what matters. In your case, I think Cicero would agree that it was too early for you to die. Luckily, you didn’t!
Okay. I get it now. It’s a Stoic precept on quality versus quantity. What’s the point of suffering to such extremes? I get that. But in terms of how well you are living, in terms of achieving a eudaemonic life, we could get much deeper in the discussion considering how much there is to Stoicism.
Aww Cicero writing about pompey...I've recently been going through a series of books by Robert Harris that is a fictional biography of Cicero written from the perspective of his closest slave. I've just gotten up to the point when Pompey had abandoned Cicero. ☹️
I love that trilogy! Incredibly well written, and historically as accurate as a novel can be. And it' great that they are written from the point of view of Tiro!
I just finished the trilogy...I was actually rather sad when I read the murder of Cicero, though I knew it coming...
I never quite realised how funny Cicero was! So I went ahead and bought one of the how to books "how to tell a joke" by Cicero haha 😂.
I must say that the funniest remark I read from the trilogy had to be the one on Cato :"he gives his opinions as if he lived in Plato's Republic, not Romulus's shithole."😂 😂 😂
Glad to hear that you like the trilogy too Massimo! I'm loving them at the moment haha 😂. I love your passage quoted here mentioned the infamous "father inlaw" haha 😂 i literally just went through the part yesterday when young Julia saw Cicero at Pompey's house. What a sweet girl. 🙂
This example of the right time to die isn’t about Stoicism, correct? It’s about the meaninglessness of longevity for its own sake? It’s just a starter example.
If I died on September 7, 2014 when I slowly fell to the floor after my CVA half-paralyzed like a longitudinal dissection, I didn’t die; and it was at a time of solidified tenure at CBS News, earning a comfortable living, and possessing great physical strength. However, I had much less wisdom then and or any practice being virtuous. The years that followed I suffered the most unimaginable pain from operations and accidents. I depleted all my life’s savings. Had no financial or time-giving support by family or friends because they are busy with their own lives. (It’s quite a rat race out there.) I live alone on a meager government check that could end anytime. But if I Zeus asked you can return to physical normality and comfort and glory on the condition you lose all the wisdom you gained, I wouldn’t take that deal. So what if Pompey took a turn and made it his mission to practice Stoicism, despite the evils that befell him? His living longer (and having his head served on a silver platter) would have been a better time to die, no?
A person is defined by what they do, and not by what happens to them. Just want to be sure I have this right (and this is pre-Stoic) because otherwise I am long overdue returning this book that is me! 😂
Mike, the example is indeed Stoic, even though it comes from Cicero. Seneca makes similar points in his writings. I think the basic idea here is that quality not quantity of life is what matters. In your case, I think Cicero would agree that it was too early for you to die. Luckily, you didn’t!
Okay. I get it now. It’s a Stoic precept on quality versus quantity. What’s the point of suffering to such extremes? I get that. But in terms of how well you are living, in terms of achieving a eudaemonic life, we could get much deeper in the discussion considering how much there is to Stoicism.
Without adding more, I get the point. 😊👍
Ah yes, Cicero-my favorite , of the era….
Aww Cicero writing about pompey...I've recently been going through a series of books by Robert Harris that is a fictional biography of Cicero written from the perspective of his closest slave. I've just gotten up to the point when Pompey had abandoned Cicero. ☹️
I love those too! I have read them once, am now listening on Audiobook, am really enjoying it a second time through.
Awesome!! I really love the way Cato the younger is portrayed in the trilogy! 😂😂 everything makes sense now lol 😂.
I love that trilogy! Incredibly well written, and historically as accurate as a novel can be. And it' great that they are written from the point of view of Tiro!
I just finished the trilogy...I was actually rather sad when I read the murder of Cicero, though I knew it coming...
I never quite realised how funny Cicero was! So I went ahead and bought one of the how to books "how to tell a joke" by Cicero haha 😂.
I must say that the funniest remark I read from the trilogy had to be the one on Cato :"he gives his opinions as if he lived in Plato's Republic, not Romulus's shithole."😂 😂 😂
That's one of my absolute favorite remarks! That said, Cato, after the end of the proceedings, commented, "What a witty Consul we have!" 😃
Apparently Cicero's enemies at the time called him "the stand-up consul". 😁
I know right? And the phrase "stand-up" had the same meaning as in modern stand-up comedian!
I'm always amazed by how relatable we morderns are to the ancient Romans, but not so much to medieval knights and ladies. 😅
Glad to hear that you like the trilogy too Massimo! I'm loving them at the moment haha 😂. I love your passage quoted here mentioned the infamous "father inlaw" haha 😂 i literally just went through the part yesterday when young Julia saw Cicero at Pompey's house. What a sweet girl. 🙂
A question many ponder. Thank you.
John, surprisingly, right?