“Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.” Zeno, Quoted in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, 7.1.26 I will make a conscious effort to watch what I say today so as[…]
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Category: Morning Reflection
Come Back and Keep Going
“Does the light of a lamp shine and keep its glow until its fuel is spent? Why shouldn’t your truth, justice, and self-control shine until you are extinguished?” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 12.15 “Whether the wick[…]
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Power and Needs
Double whammie today: “How appropriate that the gods put under our control only the most powerful ability that governs all the rest—the ability to make the right use of external appearances—and that they didn’t put[…]
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Go to Work as a Human Being
A classic Marcus quote: “At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if[…]
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Growth > Leisure
“Leisure without study is death—a tomb for the living person.” Seneca, Moral Letters, 82.4 A fun evening with friends. A couple of hours playing games. Reading a book purely for enjoyment rather than to learn[…]
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You Must Tame Your Temper
“Keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on—it isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real man doesn’t give way to[…]
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It Could Happen to You
“Being unexpected adds to the weight of a disaster, and being a surprise has never failed to increase a person’s pain. For that reason, nothing should ever be unexpected by us. Our minds should be[…]
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Maintain Control
When forced, as it seems, by circumstances into utter confusion, get a hold of yourself quickly. Don’t be locked out of the rhythm any longer than necessary. You’ll be able to keep the beat if[…]
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Don’t Worry About Them, Worry About Yourself
“The tranquility that comes when you stop caring what they say. Or think, or do. Only what you do.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.18 This is very hard sometimes. It’s very easy to try to please[…]
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Flexibility of the Will
“Remember that to change your mind and to follow someone’s correction are consistent with a free will. For the action is yours alone—to fulfill its purpose in keeping with your impulse and judgment, and yes,[…]
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