Hosea's Patio: September 2020

Quotes

“ When any person harms you, or speaks badly of you, remember that he acts or speaks from a supposition of its being his duty. Now, it is not possible that he should follow what appears right to you, but what appears so to himself. Therefore, if he judges from a wrong appearance, he is the person hurt, since he too is the person deceived. For if anyone should suppose a true proposition to be false, the proposition is not hurt, but he who is deceived about it. Setting out, then, from these principles, you will meekly bear a person who reviles you, for you will say upon every occasion, 'It seemed so to him.' ” - Epictetus, in the Enchiridion, 42

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Donald Trump agrees we are violent

Three months ago I posted an essay arguing that the signature characteristic of Americans is violent self-assertion.

This evening, President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Henderson, Nevada, during which he remarked casually that he agrees. Oh, not with my essay in particular: he's never heard of me. But with the basic thesis.

With the thesis that there is something fundamentally violent in the American character.

You can see it here.

Trump Twitter Video