/lit/ - Literature

>>12762077
Explain what it means to be stoic and explain the basics of the philosophy. 100% you either didn’t read them or you didn’t understand them. The majority of stoic threads on here are filled with misinformation like this >>12762186 . The Stoics don’t say you can’t be happy, I fact they encourage you to attain happiness through virtue whilst minimizing sadness and suffering.
>>12763788
The Enchiridion is what you’re looking for, it’s a literal handbook on the philosophy.

Why did Epictetus adopt rather than marry and have a child of his own?

>God hath entrusted me with myself.

Can anyone explain what this quote means?

This is my problem with Stoicism

>With everything which entertains you, is useful, or of which you are fond, remember to say to yourself, beginning with the very least things, "What is its nature?" If you are fond of a jug, say, "I am fond of a jug"; for when it is broken you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your own child or wife, say to yourself that you are kissing a human being; for when it dies you will not be disturbed.

>Never say about anything, "I have lost it," but only "I have given it back." Is your child dead? It has been given back. Is your wife dead? She has been given back. "I have had my farm taken away." Very well, this too has been given back. "Yet it was a rascal who took it away." But what concern is it of yours by whose instrumentality the Giver called for its return? So long as He gives it you, take care of it as of a thing that is not your own, as travellers treat their inn.

Hey your child and wife are dead but no big deal it's just nature - Epictetus

1. Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.

The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.

Aiming therefore at such great things, remember that you must not allow yourself to be carried, even with a slight tendency, towards the attainment of lesser things. Instead, you must entirely quit some things and for the present postpone the rest. But if you would both have these great things, along with power and riches, then you will not gain even the latter, because you aim at the former too: but you will absolutely fail of the former, by which alone happiness and freedom are achieved.

Work, therefore to be able to say to every harsh appearance, "You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be." And then examine it by those rules which you have, and first, and chiefly, by this: whether it concerns the things which are in our own control, or those which are not; and, if it concerns anything not in our control, be prepared to say that it is nothing to you.

>>7857189
>>7857225

The 'excellence' in scrolling consists of the same excellence found in everything.

When is a knife 'excellent'? When it cuts well. When is a ship 'excellent'? When it sails well. When is a torch 'excellent'? When it shines well.
When is a road excellent? when it facilitates your travel to a destination well.

'Excellence' itself then is nothing other than when any particular thing performs or fulfils its function exceedingly well. Thus, the 'excellence' of scrolling lies in how well the act fulfils its function.