Epictetus (#10): Body. Sex. Dealing with criticism. Dignity.
Take Care of Your Body (p. 56)
Care About Your Mind More Than Your Body (p. 69)
Your main attention should be given to the care and development of your reason. For through this reason, you are able to understand nature's laws.
Avoid Casual Sex (p. 57)
If, however, you know someone who has had casual sex, don't self-righteously try to win them over to your own views.
Don't Defend Your Reputation or Intentions (p. 58)
Don't be afraid of verbal abuse or criticism.
Only the morally weak feel compelled to defend or explain themselves to others. Let the quality of your deeds speak on your behalf. We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character....
Just smile and reply, "I guess that person doesn't know about all my other faults. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned only these." [Hahaha!]
Conduct Yourself with Dignity (p. 59)
No matter where you find yourself, comport yourself as if you were a distinguished person.
While the behavior of many people is dictated by what is going on around them, hold yourself to a higher standard. Take care to avoid parties or games where thoughtless revelry and carousing are the norm....remain rooted in your own purposes and ideals.
[From The Art of Living by Sharon Lebell. Buy ($9) and listen to an abridged version of Sharon's book (90 min.)
It's a loose paraphrase of The Enchiridion and The Discourses, by Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Listen free to full Enchiridion, read aloud (52 min).
Read all my Epictetus posts.]
Care About Your Mind More Than Your Body (p. 69)
Your main attention should be given to the care and development of your reason. For through this reason, you are able to understand nature's laws.
Avoid Casual Sex (p. 57)
If, however, you know someone who has had casual sex, don't self-righteously try to win them over to your own views.
Don't Defend Your Reputation or Intentions (p. 58)
Don't be afraid of verbal abuse or criticism.
Only the morally weak feel compelled to defend or explain themselves to others. Let the quality of your deeds speak on your behalf. We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character....
Just smile and reply, "I guess that person doesn't know about all my other faults. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned only these." [Hahaha!]
Conduct Yourself with Dignity (p. 59)
No matter where you find yourself, comport yourself as if you were a distinguished person.
While the behavior of many people is dictated by what is going on around them, hold yourself to a higher standard. Take care to avoid parties or games where thoughtless revelry and carousing are the norm....remain rooted in your own purposes and ideals.
[From The Art of Living by Sharon Lebell. Buy ($9) and listen to an abridged version of Sharon's book (90 min.)
It's a loose paraphrase of The Enchiridion and The Discourses, by Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Listen free to full Enchiridion, read aloud (52 min).
Read all my Epictetus posts.]