# [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine]] #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 171](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=170) Practicing Stoicism is not easy. It requires effort to learn things like negative visualization and even more effort to practice self-denial. It also takes effort and determination to give up old goals, like wanting to be famous or rich, and aim for a new goal, which is to find peace of mind. Some people might not like the idea of putting effort into following a life philosophy. ==The Stoics would say that while Stoicism needs effort, not following it needs even more effort.== For example, Musonius says that people spend more time and energy on secret love affairs than they would need to spend on learning self-control to avoid such affairs as Stoics. He suggests that we'd be better off training ourselves to be happy with what we have instead of trying to get rich, overcoming our desire for others' approval instead of seeking fame, dealing with feelings of envy rather than envying others, and focusing on keeping good friendships instead of trying to be popular. Overall, having a life philosophy like Stoicism can make everyday decisions easier and life simpler. When you have a philosophy to guide you, making choices becomes more straightforward because you know what you're aiming for in life. *** #### stoicism's effort towards tranquility outweighs the struggle of not practicing it Pr acticing Stoicism won’t be easy. It will take effort, for example, to practice negative visualization, and practicing self-denial will take more effort still. It will take both effort and willpower to abandon our old goals, such as the attainment of fame and fortune, and replace them with a new goal, namely, the attainment of tranquility.Some people, on hearing that it would take effort on their part to practice a philosophy of life, will immediately dismiss the idea. The Stoics would respond to this rejection by pointing out that although it indeed takes effort to practice Stoicism, it will require considerably more effort not to practice it.Along these lines, Musonius observes, as we have seen, that the time and energy people expend on illicit love affairs far outweighs the time and energy it would take them, as practicing Stoics, to develop the self-control required to avoid such affairs. Musonius goes on to suggest that we would also be better off if, instead of working hard to become wealthy, we trained ourselves to be satisfied with what we have; if, instead of seeking fame, we overcame our craving for the admiration of others; if, instead of spending time scheming toharm someone we envy, we spent that time overcoming our feelings of envy; and if, instead of knocking ourselves out trying to become popular, we worked to maintain and improve our relationships with those we knew to be true friends.1 [Page 171](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=170&start=67&length=1431&search=Pr%20acticing%20Stoicism%20won%E2%80%99t%20be%20easy.%20It%20will%20take%20effort,%20for%20example,%20to%20practice%20negative%20visualization,%20and%20practicing%20self-denial%20will%20take%20more%20effort%20still.%20It%20will%20take%20both%20effort%20and%20willpower%20to%20abandon%20our%20old%20goals,%20such%20as%20the%20attainment%20of%20fam) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [stoicism's effort towards tranquility outweighs the struggle of not practicing it](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/T7VT80aXGUCOQHvrpBNP-g/StoicismsEffortTowardsTranquilityOutweighsTheStruggleOfNotPractic) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#stoicism's effort towards tranquility outweighs the struggle of not practicing it]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#stoicism's effort towards tranquility outweighs the struggle of not practicing it]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#stoicism's effort towards tranquility outweighs the struggle of not practicing it]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 172](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=171) Choose a life philosophy that aligns with your goals because without one, even simple decisions can feel overwhelming. Not having a clear direction makes it difficult to make choices. The main reason to adopt a life philosophy is to avoid living a life focused on goals that aren't valuable, or trying to achieve good goals in a bad way and failing. If you decide to follow Stoicism, it's best to do so quietly to avoid mockery from others. People might mock you for choosing a different path because it suggests you disagree with their values, and it challenges them to think about their own lives, which they may not want to do. Keeping a low profile, like Socrates, who didn't make it obvious he was a philosopher, can help you practice your philosophy without drawing unwanted attention. This approach is about quietly living your values without needing to announce them to the world. *** #### adopting a life philosophy simplifies decisions and prevents pursuit of unworthy goals More generally, having a philosophy of life, whether it be Stoicism or some other philosophy, can dramatically simplify everyday living. If you have a philosophy of life, decision making is relatively straightforward: When choosing between the options life offers, yousimply choose the one most likely to help you attain the goals set forth by your philosophy of life. In the absence of a philosophy of life, though, even relatively simple choices can degenerate into meaning- of-life crises. It is, after all, hard to know what to choose when you aren’t really sure what you want.The most important reason for adopting a philosophy of life, though, is that if we lack one, there is a danger that we will mislive—that we will spend our life pursuing goals that aren’t worth attaining or will pursue worthwhile goals in a foolish manner and will therefore fail to attain them. [Page 172](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=170&start=1499&length=268&search=More%20generally,%20having%20a%20philosophy%20of%20life,%20whether%20it%20be%20Stoicism%20or%20some%20other%20philosophy,%20can%20dramatically%20simplify%20everyday%20living.%20If%20you%20have%20a%20philosophy%20of%20life,%20decision%20making%20is%20relatively%20straightforward%3A%20When%20choosing%20between%20the%20options%20life) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [adopting a life philosophy simplifies decisions and prevents pursuit of unworthy goals](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/GndTBxGOoESGmOWtPTDC0Q/AdoptingALifePhilosophySimplifiesDecisionsAndPreventsPursuitOfUnw) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#adopting a life philosophy simplifies decisions and prevents pursuit of unworthy goals]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#adopting a life philosophy simplifies decisions and prevents pursuit of unworthy goals]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#adopting a life philosophy simplifies decisions and prevents pursuit of unworthy goals]] | *** #### practicing stealth stoicism silently avoids mockery, minimizes harassment while subtly challenging norms Anyone wishing to become a Stoic should do so unobtrusively.This is because those who hear of your “conversion” to Stoicism will likely mock you.2 You can avoid this sort of harassment, though, by keeping a low philosophical profile and practicing what might be called stealth Stoicism. You should have as your model Socrates, who kept such a low profile that people would come to him, not realizing that he himself was a philosopher, and ask whether he could introduce them to any philosophers. Socrates was, Epictetus reminds us, “tolerant of being overlooked,”3 and those practicing Stoicism should likewise be tolerant.Why do people behave this way? Why do they mock someone for adopting a philosophy of life? In part because by adopting one, whether it be Stoicism or some rival philosophy, a person is demonstrating that he has different values than they do. They might therefore infer that he thinks their values are somehow mistaken, which is something people don’t want to hear.Furthermore, by adopting a philosophy of life, he is, in effect, challenging them to do something they are probably reluctant to do: reflect on their life and how they are living it. If these people can get the convert to abandon his philosophy of life, the implied challenge will vanish, and so they set about mocking him in an attempt to make him rejoin the unreflecting masses. [Page 172](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=171&start=610&length=1369&search=Anyone%20wishing%20to%20become%20a%20Stoic%20should%20do%20so%20unobtrusively.This%20is%20because%20those%20who%20hear%20of%20your%20%E2%80%9Cconversion%E2%80%9D%20to%20Stoicism%20will%20likely%20mock%20you.2%20You%20can%20avoid%20this%20sort%20of%20harassment,%20though,%20by%20keeping%20a%20low%20philosophical%20profile%20and%20practicing%20what%20mig) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [practicing stealth stoicism silently avoids mockery, minimizes harassment while subtly challenging norms](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/0JuO9N5LnkONJqgKwbJFCA/PracticingStealthStoicismSilentlyAvoidsMockeryMinimizesHarassmentW) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#practicing stealth stoicism silently avoids mockery, minimizes harassment while subtly challenging norms]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#practicing stealth stoicism silently avoids mockery, minimizes harassment while subtly challenging norms]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#practicing stealth stoicism silently avoids mockery, minimizes harassment while subtly challenging norms]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 173](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=172) Practicing Stoicism rewards us with becoming more virtuous, meaning we'll develop good character traits. The Stoics believe this practice will lead to experiencing fewer negative feelings like anger, sadness, disappointment, and worry. This reduction in negative emotions allows us to reach a level of peace we couldn't have before. Besides reducing negative feelings, Stoicism helps us feel a strong positive emotion: joy in the world around us. Unlike most people who need new things to feel joy, Stoics find joy in what they already have through negative visualization, appreciating their current possessions more deeply. Moreover, while many people's joy is lessened by the fear of losing what makes them happy, Stoics have a strategy to reduce or eliminate this fear. First, they focus on enjoying things that can't be taken away, like their moral character. Marcus Aurelius noted that even if we face disasters, we can still be happy because these events don't make us bitter due to our strong character. Also, while Stoics do enjoy things that can be lost, they prepare themselves for the possibility of losing these things. They practice negative visualization, reminding themselves that their enjoyment is temporary and could end suddenly. This mindset teaches them to appreciate things without feeling they are owed anything or clinging too tightly to them. *** #### through negative visualization, stoics cherish current blessings, appreciating what they have, independent of external circumstances, overcoming fear of loss What will be our reward for practicing Stoicism? According to the Stoics, we can hope to become more virtuous, in the ancient sense of the word. We will also, they say, experience fewer negative emotions, such as anger, grief, disappointment, and anxiety, and because of this we will enjoy a degree of tranquility that previously would have been unattainable. Along with avoiding negative emotions, we will increase our chances of experiencing one particularly significant positive emotion: delight in the world around us.For most people, experiencing delight requires a change in circumstances; they might, for example, have to acquire a new consumer gadget. Stoics, in contrast, can experience delight without any such change; because they practice negative visualization, they will deeply appreciate the things they already have. Furthermore, for most people, the delight they experience will be somewhat clouded by the fear that they will lose the source of their delight. Stoics, however, have a three-part strategy for minimizing this fear or avoiding it altogether.To begin with, they will do their best to enjoy things that can’t be taken from them, most notably their character. Along these lines, consider Marcus’s comment that if we fall victim to a catastrophe, we can still take delight in the fact that it has not, because of the character we possess, made us bitter.4 [Page 173](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=172&start=1&length=1384&search=What%20will%20be%20our%20reward%20for%20practicing%20Stoicism%3F%20According%20to%20the%20Stoics,%20we%20can%20hope%20to%20become%20more%20virtuous,%20in%20the%20ancient%20sense%20of%20the%20word.%20We%20will%20also,%20they%20say,%20experience%20fewer%20negative%20emotions,%20such%20as%20anger,%20grief,%20disappointment,%20and%20anxiety,%20) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [through negative visualization, stoics cherish current blessings, appreciating what they have, independent of external circumstances, overcoming fear of loss](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/kUcGuwwxyEC6zUtOXfrkGg/ThroughNegativeVisualizationStoicsCherishCurrentBlessingsAppreciat) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#through negative visualization, stoics cherish current blessings, appreciating what they have, independent of external circumstances, overcoming fear of loss]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#through negative visualization, stoics cherish current blessings, appreciating what they have, independent of external circumstances, overcoming fear of loss]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#through negative visualization, stoics cherish current blessings, appreciating what they have, independent of external circumstances, overcoming fear of loss]] | *** #### stoics know joys are temporary, enjoying life's pleasures with readiness for their loss through negative visualization Furthermore, as they are enjoying things that can be taken from them —the Stoics, as we have seen, are not averse to doing this—they will simultaneously be preparing for the loss of those things. In particular, as part of our practice of negative visualization, say the Stoics, we need to keep in mind that it is a lucky accident that we are enjoying whatever it is we are enjoying, that our enjoyment of it might end abruptly, and that we might never be able to enjoy it again. We need, in other words, to learn how to enjoy things without feeling entitled to them and without clinging to them. [Page 173](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=172&start=1386&length=595&search=Furthermore,%20as%20they%20are%20enjoying%20things%20that%20can%20be%20taken%20from%20them%20%E2%80%94the%20Stoics,%20as%20we%20have%20seen,%20are%20not%20averse%20to%20doing%20this%E2%80%94they%20will%20simultaneously%20be%20preparing%20for%20the%20loss%20of%20those%20things.%20In%20particular,%20as%20part%20of%20our%20practice%20of%20negative%20visualiza) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [stoics know joys are temporary, enjoying life's pleasures with readiness for their loss through negative visualization](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/6HBOCkVVOkmL-XZ2fFbKdw/StoicsKnowJoysAreTemporaryEnjoyingLifesPleasuresWithReadinessFo) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#stoics know joys are temporary, enjoying life's pleasures with readiness for their loss through negative visualization]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#stoics know joys are temporary, enjoying life's pleasures with readiness for their loss through negative visualization]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#stoics know joys are temporary, enjoying life's pleasures with readiness for their loss through negative visualization]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 174](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=173) Stoics make a point to enjoy simple pleasures and not just seek "the best" things. This means they find joy in a variety of things that are easy to get. They remember Seneca's advice that we can't have everything we want, but we can enjoy what we do have. Even if they lose one source of happiness, they quickly find another because their happiness doesn't depend on specific things. For example, when Seneca and Musonius were exiled, they didn't get upset. Instead, they explored and appreciated their new surroundings. Because Stoics appreciate the simple things, they often feel happy with who they are and the life they're living. They not only enjoy things in life but also the fact that they are alive, feeling joy in just being. This joy might not be constant for everyone practicing Stoicism, but it's still a significant increase from what they felt before. The best time to start practicing Stoicism is now. Epictetus says delaying is a mistake because we'll grow old without having learned how to truly live. Practicing Stoicism is crucial for a fulfilling life, much like preparing for the Olympics, but even more important because it's about our everyday happiness and well-being. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 95](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=94) Negative visualization involves thinking about bad things that might happen to us. Seneca suggests we should also live as if these bad things have already happened. For example, to understand what it's like to lose our wealth, we should occasionally live simply, eating basic food and wearing simple clothes. This practice, known as "practicing poverty," was also done by Epicurus, who had a slightly different reason for it. He wanted to figure out which things he thought he needed but could actually do without. He discovered that often, we believe we need certain things to be happy, but in reality, we can be perfectly fine without them. Musonius, another philosopher, takes this idea even further. He believes we should not only live as if bad things have happened but also deliberately put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. This could mean not dressing warmly enough on purpose, going without shoes, allowing ourselves to feel thirsty or hungry when we could easily eat or drink, or sleeping on a hard bed instead of a soft one. This practice helps us learn to handle discomfort that we could have avoided, teaching us resilience and appreciation for what we have. *** #### seneca on resilience - periodically live as if loss has occurred On Dealing with the Dark Side of Pleasure To engage in negative visualization is to contemplate the bad things that can happen to us. Seneca recommends an extension of this technique: Besides contemplating bad things happening, we should sometimes live as if they had happened. In particular, instead of merely thinking about what it would be like to lose our wealth, we should periodically “practice poverty”: We should, that is, content ourselves with “the scantiest and cheapest fare” and with “coarse and rough dress.”1According to Seneca, Epicurus, a philosophical rival to the Stoics, also practiced poverty.2 His goal in doing so, however, appears to have been different from that of Seneca. Whereas Seneca wanted to appreciate what he had, Epicurus wanted to examine the things he thought he needed so he could determine which of them he could in fact live without. He realized that in many cases, we work hard to obtain something because we are convinced that we would be miserable without it. The problem is that we can live perfectly well without some of these things, but we won’t know which they are if we don’t try living without them. [Page 95](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=94&start=20&length=1151&search=%0AOn%20Dealing%20with%20the%20Dark%20Side%20of%20Pleasure%20To%20engage%20in%20negative%20visualization%20is%20to%20contemplate%20the%20bad%20things%20that%20can%20happen%20to%20us.%20Seneca%20recommends%20an%20extension%20of%20this%20technique%3A%20Besides%20contemplating%20bad%20things%20happening,%20we%20should%20sometimes%20live%20as) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [seneca on resilience - periodically live as if loss has occurred](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/G4SIsDgHRkyH5fCXW_BgUw/SenecaOnResiliencePeriodicallyLiveAsIfLossHasOccurred) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#seneca on resilience - periodically live as if loss has occurred]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#seneca on resilience - periodically live as if loss has occurred]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#seneca on resilience - periodically live as if loss has occurred]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 96](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=95) When people learn that Stoics choose to experience discomfort, they might think Stoicism is about causing oneself pain, but that's not true. Stoics don't hurt themselves for the sake of suffering; instead, they see small discomforts as a way to enjoy life more. It's not about being harsh with oneself but about choosing to face discomfort willingly. This idea might confuse modern readers who wonder why anyone would choose discomfort over comfort. Musonius, a Stoic teacher, explained that there are three main benefits to this practice. First, by choosing to experience things like cold and hunger when we could be comfortable, we prepare ourselves for tough times that might come. If we're used to comfort all the time, we might be overwhelmed by pain or discomfort when it happens. Think of voluntary discomfort as a vaccine; by exposing ourselves to a little bit of discomfort now, we build up our ability to handle bigger challenges later. It's like paying an insurance premium to lessen future suffering. The second benefit is immediate: by facing discomfort on purpose, we learn to appreciate our everyday comforts and pleasures more deeply. *** #### embracing self-imposed discomfort trains for adversity, strengthening resilience against future struggles Musonius takes this technique one step further: He thinks that besides living as if bad things had happened to us, we should sometimes cause them to happen. In particular, we should periodically cause ourselves to experience discomfort that we could easily have avoided. We might accomplish this by underdressing for cold weather or going shoeless. Or we might periodically allow ourselves to become thirsty or hungry, even though water and food are at hand, and we might sleep on a hard bed, even though a soft one is available.3Many modern readers, on hearing this, will conclude that Stoicism involves an element of masochism. Readers should realize, though, that the Stoics didn’t go around flogging themselves. Indeed, the discomforts they inflicted upon themselves were rather minor. Furthermore, they did not inflict these discomforts to punish themselves; rather, they did it to increase their enjoyment of life. And finally, it is misleading to talk about the Stoics inflicting discomforts on themselves. This creates the image of someone at odds with himself, of someone forcing himself to do things he doesn’t want to do. The Stoics, by way of contrast, welcomed a degree of discomfort in their life. What the Stoics were advocating, then, is more appropriately described as a program of voluntary discomfort than as a program of self-inflicted discomfort.Even this clarification of the Stoics’ attitude toward discomfort, though, will leave many modern readers puzzled: “Why should we welcome even minor discomforts when it is possible to enjoy perfect comfort?” they will ask. In response to this question, Musonius would point to three benefits to be derived from acts of voluntary discomfort. [Page 96](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=94&start=1172&length=530&search=Musonius%20takes%20this%20technique%20one%20step%20further%3A%20He%20thinks%20that%20besides%20living%20as%20if%20bad%20things%20had%20happened%20to%20us,%20we%20should%20sometimes%20cause%20them%20to%20happen.%20In%20particular,%20we%20should%20periodically%20cause%20ourselves%20to%20experience%20discomfort%20that%20we%20could%20easily) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [embracing self-imposed discomfort trains for adversity, strengthening resilience against future struggles](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/lj3UfneUZEaAnbPfY4bdpA/EmbracingSelfimposedDiscomfortTrainsForAdversityStrengtheningResil) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#embracing self-imposed discomfort trains for adversity, strengthening resilience against future struggles]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#embracing self-imposed discomfort trains for adversity, strengthening resilience against future struggles]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#embracing self-imposed discomfort trains for adversity, strengthening resilience against future struggles]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 97](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=96) Experiencing small discomforts can help a person feel confident that they can handle bigger discomforts in the future, so they won't worry about facing tough situations. Musonius says that by facing these small discomforts, a person is training to be brave. On the other hand, someone who has never felt discomfort, like never being cold or hungry, might fear the idea of facing such situations. Even if they are comfortable now, the fear of future discomfort can cause them mental stress. Choosing to face discomfort on purpose also makes us more thankful for what we have. For example, being in a warm room feels much better after being in the cold, or a meal tastes better when we eat it hungry. This practice of voluntary discomfort is different from what someone who only seeks pleasure might advise, which is to avoid discomfort completely. Musonius argues that avoiding discomfort doesn't lead to more comfort. In fact, people who occasionally embrace discomfort will likely be comfortable in a wider range of situations than those who try to avoid it at all costs. Since it's impossible to never face discomfort, trying to avoid it doesn't work well in the long run. *** #### voluntary discomfort fosters resilience against future hardships, diminishes anxiety about potential future struggles A second benefit of undertaking acts of voluntary discomfort comes not in the future but immediately. A person who periodicallyexperiences minor discomforts will grow confident that he can withstand major discomforts as well, so the prospect of experiencing such discomforts at some future time will not, at present, be a source of anxiety for him. By experiencing minor discomforts, he is, says Musonius, training himself to be courageous.4 The person who, in contrast, is a stranger to discomfort, who has never been cold or hungry, might dread the possibility of someday being cold and hungry. Even though he is now physically comfortable, he will likely experience mental discomfort—namely, anxiety with respect to what the future holds in store for him. [Page 97](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=95&start=2045&length=127&search=A%20second%20benefit%20of%20undertaking%20acts%20of%20voluntary%20discomfort%20comes%20not%20in%20the%20future%20but%20immediately.%20A%20person%20who%20periodically) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [voluntary discomfort fosters resilience against future hardships, diminishes anxiety about potential future struggles](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/T-KmUJVUqUOjmeayXLGeJw/VoluntaryDiscomfortFostersResilienceAgainstFutureHardshipsDiminishe) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#voluntary discomfort fosters resilience against future hardships, diminishes anxiety about potential future struggles]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#voluntary discomfort fosters resilience against future hardships, diminishes anxiety about potential future struggles]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#voluntary discomfort fosters resilience against future hardships, diminishes anxiety about potential future struggles]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 98](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=97) Stoics suggest that we should sometimes choose not to seek pleasure because chasing pleasure can be dangerous. Seneca compares the pursuit of pleasure to hunting a wild beast that can turn against us. He says that the more pleasures we chase, the more we become slaves to them. This idea comes from the Stoics' Cynic heritage. Diogenes, a Cynic philosopher, described pleasure as a deceptive force that can trick and trap us through our senses and desires, comparing it to how Circe in the Odyssey bewitched Odysseus' crew. The Stoics believe we should avoid pleasures that can control us from just one experience, such as addictive drugs. They also think we should sometimes skip even harmless pleasures to practice self-control. This helps us learn not to be dependent on these pleasures for happiness and strengthens our ability to resist temptations and live a more balanced life. *** #### forgoing pleasure guards against pleasure's dark side, fosters freedom from its potential enslavement Besides periodically engaging in acts of voluntary discomfort, we should, say the Stoics, periodically forgo opportunities to experience pleasure. This is because pleasure has a dark side. Indeed, pursuing pleasure, Seneca warns, is like pursuing a wild beast: On being captured, it can turn on us and tear us to pieces. Or, changing the metaphor a bit, he tells us that intense pleasures, when captured by us, become our captors, meaning that the more pleasures a man captures, “the more masters will he have to serve.”5In mistrusting pleasure, the Stoics reveal their Cynic blood-lines. Thus, the Cynic philosopher Diogenes argues that the most important battle any person has to fight is the battle against pleasure. The battle is particularly difficult to win because pleasure “uses no open force but deceives and casts a spell with baneful drugs, just as Homer says Circe drugged the comrades of Odysseus.” Pleasure, he cautions, “hatches no single plot but all kinds of plots, and aims to undo men through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, with food too, and drink and carnal lust, tempting the waking and the sleeping alike.” And pleasure, “with a stroke of her wand . . . cooly drives her victim into a sort of sty and pens him up, and now from that time forth the man goes on living as a pig or a wolf.”6There are some pleasures, the Stoics would argue, from which we should always abstain. In particular, we should abstain from those pleasures that can capture us in a single encounter. This would include the pleasure to be derived from certain drugs: Had crystal meth existed in the ancient world, the Stoics would doubtless have counseled against its use. [Page 98](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=97&start=1&length=1675&search=Besides%20periodically%20engaging%20in%20acts%20of%20voluntary%20discomfort,%20we%20should,%20say%20the%20Stoics,%20periodically%20forgo%20opportunities%20to%20experience%20pleasure.%20This%20is%20because%20pleasure%20has%20a%20dark%20side.%20Indeed,%20pursuing%20pleasure,%20Seneca%20warns,%20is%20like%20pursuing%20a%20wild%20be) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [forgoing pleasure guards against pleasure's dark side, fosters freedom from its potential enslavement](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/GEvdLuo8GUakg7ti275QmA/ForgoingPleasureGuardsAgainstPleasuresDarkSideFostersFreedomFrom) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#forgoing pleasure guards against pleasure's dark side, fosters freedom from its potential enslavement]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#forgoing pleasure guards against pleasure's dark side, fosters freedom from its potential enslavement]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#forgoing pleasure guards against pleasure's dark side, fosters freedom from its potential enslavement]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 99](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=98) If we don't have self-control, we might get too caught up in life's pleasures and not achieve our life's philosophy goals. According to Marcus, without resisting pleasures, we become like slaves, reacting to every desire and complaint about today or worrying about tomorrow. To avoid this, we must not let pain and pleasure take over our ability to think clearly. We must learn to say no to our desires. Even though Stoics might choose to do things that make them uncomfortable or avoid things that would bring them pleasure, it doesn't mean they are against all pleasure. Stoics enjoy pleasures from friendship, family, meals, and even wealth, but they are careful with how they enjoy these things. They know it's easy to go from enjoying a meal to eating too much or becoming too attached to what we enjoy. So, while enjoying good things, we should also be cautious, as Epictetus suggests. Seneca explains how Stoics view pleasure differently from most people. Ordinary people seek pleasure and think it's the most important thing. In contrast, a Stoic controls pleasure, doesn't see it as a top priority, and doesn't do things just for pleasure. Practicing self-denial, like choosing to take the bus instead of driving a car as a form of practicing poverty, is one of the hardest Stoic practices. It might not be enjoyable, but it's part of their philosophy. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 100](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=99) A beginner Stoic might find it challenging to face cold weather with just a light jacket or to turn down ice cream not because they're dieting but to practice self-denial. This requires a lot of willpower. However, Stoics learn that willpower, like muscle power, gets stronger with use. Through practicing self-denial, Stoics become very courageous and self-controlled, able to do things others find difficult and avoid temptations others give into. This self-control helps them achieve their life's goals and live a good life. Stoics acknowledge that exercising self-control requires effort, but they also note that lacking self-control can lead to wasted effort, like the energy spent on unnecessary affairs. Seneca even says that living a controlled life frees up time, while a life chasing desires is always busy. Surprisingly, choosing not to indulge in pleasures can be enjoyable in its own way. For example, resisting ice cream while on a diet might bring a sense of satisfaction and avoid the regret of giving into temptation. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 101](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=100) If you decide not to eat ice cream, you might miss out on the taste, but you'll feel a different kind of happiness. Epictetus says you'll feel good about yourself for not eating it. This feeling is different from the joy of eating ice cream, but it's still real happiness. If we think carefully about whether to eat the ice cream, considering the good and bad points of eating it versus not eating it, we might decide not eating it is better for our overall happiness. This is why Epictetus suggests we should think about the consequences of seeking pleasure before we do it. For example, if we follow Stoic advice and eat a simpler diet, we might miss some tasty foods, but we'll find joy in being able to enjoy simple foods. Seneca says that even though basic foods like water, barley-meal, and barley bread aren't exciting, being happy with such a diet is a great pleasure. The Stoics teach us that there's pleasure in not pursuing pleasure, showing they understood human psychology very well. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 141](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=140) The Stoics believe people are unhappy mainly because they don't understand what truly matters. They chase after things like fame, thinking it will make them happy, but instead, it leads to anxiety and misery. People desire fame at different levels, from being known worldwide to simply being popular in their own social circles or respected in their profession. They think fame will bring happiness, but don't realize the high cost that comes with it. According to the Stoics, the price of fame is so high that it's not worth the benefits it might bring. Epictetus gives an example to explain this idea. If you want to be well-known in your social circle and get upset if you're not invited to a party, it shows the cost of seeking fame. You might have had to act in ways that are not genuine, like flattering the host excessively, just to be included. Epictetus says that expecting to be invited without making such efforts is both greedy and foolish. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 142](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=141) Epictetus believes that being indifferent to social status would have been better for you. This way, you wouldn't have to try to impress anyone, and you wouldn't be upset by things like not being invited to a banquet. Stoics value their freedom and don't want to give anyone the power to upset them. If we chase after social status, we end up doing things just to be liked or admired, which means we're not really free. Epictetus advises not to seek social status because it's like enslaving ourselves to others' opinions. To maintain our freedom, we should not care about what others think of us. Epictetus suggests that we should be indifferent to both criticism and praise. He even says that if someone praises us, we should internally laugh at the notion, though not outwardly, as openly showing indifference can be offensive. Marcus Aurelius agrees with Epictetus that worrying about others' opinions, especially seeking approval from those whose values we don't share, is foolish. Our aim should be to become indifferent to what others think of us, improving our life quality. This aligns with the Stoic principle of focusing only on what we can control, acknowledging that we cannot control others' thoughts or actions towards us, so it's wasteful to try. *** #### focusing on controllable self-improvement and being indifferent to uncontrollable external opinions, while valuing freedom over social status and rejecting societal approval, maintains personal autonomy and improves life quality You would have been much better off, Epictetus thinks, if you had been indifferent to social status. For one thing, you would not have had to spend time trying to curry favor with this person. Furthermore, you would have deprived him of the ability to upset you simply by failing to invite you to a banquet.Stoics value their freedom, and they are therefore reluctant to do anything that will give others power over them. But if we seek social status, we give other people power over us: We have to do things calculated to make them admire us, and we have to refrain from doing things that will trigger their disfavor.Epictetus therefore advises us not to seek social status, since if we make it our goal to please others, we will no longer be free to please ourselves. We will, he says, have enslaved ourselves.2If we wish to retain our freedom, says Epictetus, we must be careful, while dealing with other people, to be indifferent to what they think of us. Furthermore, we should be consistent in our indifference; we should, in other words, be as dismissive of their approval as we are of their disapproval. Indeed, Epictetus says that when others praise us, the proper response is to laugh at them.3 (But not out loud! Although Epictetus and the other Stoics think we should be indifferent to people’s opinions of us, they would advise us to conceal our indifference. After all, to tell someone else that you don’t care what he thinks is quite possibly the worst insult you can inflict.) Marcus agrees with Epictetus that it is foolish for us to worry about what other people think of us and particularly foolish for us to seek the approval of people whose values we reject. Our goal should therefore be to become indifferent to other people’s opinions of us. He adds that if we can succeed in doing this, we will improve the quality of our life.4Notice that the advice that we ignore what other people think of us is consistent with the Stoic advice that we not concern ourselves with things we can’t control. I don’t have it in my power to stop others from sneering at me, so it is foolish for me to spend time trying to stopthem. I should instead, says Marcus, spend this time on something I have complete control over, namely, not doing anything that deserves a sneer. [Page 142](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=141&start=1&length=2136&search=You%20would%20have%20been%20much%20better%20off,%20Epictetus%20thinks,%20if%20you%20had%20been%20indifferent%20to%20social%20status.%20For%20one%20thing,%20you%20would%20not%20have%20had%20to%20spend%20time%20trying%20to%20curry%20favor%20with%20this%20person.%20Furthermore,%20you%20would%20have%20deprived%20him%20of%20the%20ability%20to%20upse) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [focusing on controllable self-improvement and being indifferent to uncontrollable external opinions, while valuing freedom over social status and rejecting societal approval, maintains personal autonomy and improves life quality](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/f4UajkwyRkiPjhuw_HhCDA/AGuideToTheGoodLifeTheAncientArtOfStoicJoyByWilliamBIrvi) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#focusing on controllable self-improvement and being indifferent to uncontrollable external opinions, while valuing freedom over social status and rejecting societal approval, maintains personal autonomy and improves life quality]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#focusing on controllable self-improvement and being indifferent to uncontrollable external opinions, while valuing freedom over social status and rejecting societal approval, maintains personal autonomy and improves life quality]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#focusing on controllable self-improvement and being indifferent to uncontrollable external opinions, while valuing freedom over social status and rejecting societal approval, maintains personal autonomy and improves life quality]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 143](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=142) Marcus advises that instead of worrying about getting approval or avoiding criticism from others, we should focus on our actions, making sure we don't do anything that truly deserves disapproval. He also says that wanting to be remembered after we die, seeking immortal fame, is pointless. We won't be around to enjoy this fame, and it's unlikely future generations will care about us in the way we hope, especially since we often struggle to appreciate people we actually know. Marcus suggests we should focus on making the most of our current situation rather than worrying about how we'll be remembered. This is because most of us care too much about what others think, working hard to gain and keep their admiration. The Stoics believe one way to stop worrying about others' opinions is to realize that to win their admiration, we might have to live by their values, which might not match our own or lead to the peace we want. Before we try to win others' admiration, we should consider whether their idea of success is the same as ours and if their pursuits actually bring them peace. If not, we should be ready to ignore their admiration. *** #### adopting external values and definitions of success is both the key to and the price for winning external admiration and approval Suppose we admit that the Stoics were right: We should ignore what other people think of us. For most people, this will be difficult advice to follow. Most of us, after all, are obsessed with other people’s opinions of us: We work hard, first to win the admiration of other people and then to avoid losing it.One way to overcome this obsession, the Stoics think, is to realize that in order to win the admiration of other people, we will have to adopt their values. More precisely, we will have to live a life that is successful according to their notion of success.(If we are living what they take to be an unsuccessful life, they will have no reason to admire us.) Consequently, before we try to win the admiration of these other people, we should stop to ask whether their notion of success is compatible with ours. More important, we should stop to ask whether these people, by pursuing whatever it is they value, are gaining the tranquility we seek. If they aren’t, we should be more than willing to forgo their admiration. [Page 143](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=142&start=850&length=1030&search=Suppose%20we%20admit%20that%20the%20Stoics%20were%20right%3A%20We%20should%20ignore%20what%20other%20people%20think%20of%20us.%20For%20most%20people,%20this%20will%20be%20difficult%20advice%20to%20follow.%20Most%20of%20us,%20after%20all,%20are%20obsessed%20with%20other%20people%E2%80%99s%20opinions%20of%20us%3A%20We%20work%20hard,%20first%20to%20win%20the%20ad) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [adopting external values and definitions of success is both the key to and the price for winning external admiration and approval](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/HLFUgLl35kSOMsYGMJnQxQ/AdoptingExternalValuesAndDefinitionsOfSuccessIsBothTheKeyToAnd) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#adopting external values and definitions of success is both the key to and the price for winning external admiration and approval]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#adopting external values and definitions of success is both the key to and the price for winning external admiration and approval]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#adopting external values and definitions of success is both the key to and the price for winning external admiration and approval]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 144](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=143) To fight the need for others' approval, doing things that might earn their disapproval, as Cato did by ignoring fashion trends, helps us learn to only feel shame for truly shameful actions and not care about negative opinions on trivial matters. This approach teaches us to be comfortable with ourselves regardless of others' judgments. Many people avoid trying new things because they fear failure and the possible ridicule or pity from others. However, most failures won't harm us physically. It's often the fear of public embarrassment that holds us back. It's important to understand that some people, maybe even friends or family, might secretly hope we fail. This is because our success can make them feel inadequate. Recognizing this can help us overcome the fear of failure and pursue our goals with more confidence. *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 145](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=144) When you try to do something bold, some people might laugh at you, say it will go wrong, and try to stop you from going after your goal. If you ignore them and succeed, they might finally praise you, or they might not. For example, a woman who wants to write a novel might tell her friends and family about her goal. Some will support her, but others might doubt her, constantly asking about her progress to bother her. If she finishes her novel, they might say she won't find a publisher. If she does find one, they might claim the novel won't sell. And if it sells well, they might criticize the taste of the readers. The only way for this woman to get approval from these doubters is to give up her dream. Then, they will see her as one of them and welcome her to join in mocking others who chase their dreams. But should she really stop pursuing her dream just to fit in with them? The Stoics would advise her to not care about what these people think. Especially, she should ignore those who doubt her the most. *** #### ambitious pursuits and achievements can provoke discomfort, envy, and resentment through silent opposition, ridicule, and discouragement from those close to you, reflecting their insecurities and perceived failures Realize that many other people, including, quite possibly, your friends and relatives, want you to fail in your undertakings. They may not tell you this to your face, but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t silently rooting against you. People do this in part because your success makes them look bad and therefore makes them uncomfortable: Ifyou can succeed, why can’t they? Consequently, if you attempt something daring they might ridicule you, predict disaster, and try to talk you out of pursuing your goal. If, despite their warnings, you make your attempt and succeed, they might finally congratulate you —or they might not.Consider again the woman, mentioned in an earlier chapter, whose goal is to write a novel. Suppose she tells her friends, relatives, and coworkers about her literary aspirations. Some of those she confides in will be genuinely encouraging. Others will respond to her announcement, though, with gleeful pessimism. They might predict that she will never finish the novel.(And to annoy her, they might, with clocklike regularity, ask how the novel is coming along.) If she finishes it, they might predict that she will never find a publisher for it. If she finds a publisher, they might predict that the novel will not sell well. And if it sells well, they might hold up her success as evidence of the low standards of the book- buying public.It is, of course, possible for this woman to win the approval of these naysayers: She need only abandon her dream of becoming a novelist. If she does this, the naysayers will recognize her as a kindred spirit and will welcome her with open arms. They will invite her to sit with them on a comfortable couch somewhere and join them in mocking those individuals who pursue their dreams despite the possibility of failure. But is this really the company she wants to keep? Does she really want to abandon the pursuit of her dream in order to win these individuals’ acceptance?This woman would do well, say the Stoics, to work at becoming indifferent to what others think of her. And the above naysayers, it should be clear, belong at the very top of the list of people whose views she should learn to ignore. [Page 145](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=143&start=1706&length=342&search=Realize%20that%20many%20other%20people,%20including,%20quite%20possibly,%20your%20friends%20and%20relatives,%20want%20you%20to%20fail%20in%20your%20undertakings.%20They%20may%20not%20tell%20you%20this%20to%20your%20face,%20but%20this%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20mean%20that%20they%20aren%E2%80%99t%20silently%20rooting%20against%20you.%20People%20do%20this%20in%20pa) | | | | :--: | ---- | | 🪐 | [ambitious pursuits and achievements can provoke discomfort, envy, and resentment through silent opposition, ridicule, and discouragement from those close to you, reflecting their insecurities and perceived failures](brain://api.thebrain.com/tG6GVWbzEkq3Ov5G6sDxXg/zqMpCY2JEEO4Yl7osq0kCQ/AmbitiousPursuitsAndAchievementsCanProvokeDiscomfortEnvyAndResen) | | 📚 | [[📚a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#ambitious pursuits and achievements can provoke discomfort, envy, and resentment through silent opposition, ridicule, and discouragement from those close to you, reflecting their insecurities and perceived failures]] | | 🌲 | [[🌲Embrace risk and break norms to cultivate a bold, rule-breaking character#ambitious pursuits and achievements can provoke discomfort, envy, and resentment through silent opposition, ridicule, and discouragement from those close to you, reflecting their insecurities and perceived failures]] | | 🗿 | [[🗿a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine#ambitious pursuits and achievements can provoke discomfort, envy, and resentment through silent opposition, ridicule, and discouragement from those close to you, reflecting their insecurities and perceived failures]] | *** #### [a Guide to the Good Life - the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine Page 146](x-devonthink-item://5A4073D3-B1E7-481C-A0DB-CA23CC06A031?page=145) By choosing not to seek others' admiration, Stoics may end up earning respect for their self-confidence and indifference to public opinion. People often see this confidence as a sign that someone is secure in who they are and might even wish they could be the same way. However, when a Stoic shares that their approach comes from practicing Stoicism, not everyone will be convinced to follow the same path. Some might think the Stoic is joking, others may feel Stoicism isn't right for them due to personality differences, and many will believe that while self-confidence is desirable, they value other things more, like fame or luxury. ***