Quotes

“ The condition and characteristic of a vulgar person, is, that he never expects either benefit or hurt from himself, but from externals. The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is, that he expects all hurt and benefit from himself. The marks of a proficient are, that he censures no one, praises no one, blames no one, accuses no one, says nothing concerning himself as being anybody, or knowing anything: when he is, in any instance, hindered or restrained, he accuses himself; and, if he is praised, he secretly laughs at the person who praises him; and, if he is censured, he makes no defense. But he goes about with the caution of sick or injured people, dreading to move anything that is set right, before it is perfectly fixed. He suppresses all desire in himself; he transfers his aversion to those things only which thwart the proper use of our own faculty of choice; the exertion of his active powers towards anything is very gentle; if he appears stupid or ignorant, he does not care, and, in a word, he watches himself as an enemy, and one in ambush. ” - Epictetus, in the Enchiridion, 48

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Happy birthday, Plato!

As near as I can figure it, today is Plato’s birthday.  The traditional date was the 7th day of the month of Thargelion.  The Athenian calendar was a lunar one, so this means the seventh day after the second-last new moon before the summer solstice.  And I think that’s today.

Next year, it looks like it will be on Cinco de Mayo.

So do something Platonic today: contemplate the nature of reality, appreciate the beauty of simple colors and geometric shapes and soothing music, argue passionately about the education of the young … or open a large jug of wine with a dozen good friends and sit around until dawn talking about love.  Your pick which!
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