If you haven’t looked at previous parts in this series, here are the links: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. I suggest starting from the Part 1.
In this last part, I will share my favourite passages from Book 8 to Book 12, along with some of my explanations/thoughts about them. I hope you find them thought-provoking.
[…] For nothing should be done without a purpose. (Book 8–17)
Can’t remind myself of this enough. Do not do anything without a purpose. Ask yourself why you are doing something if you find yourself doing something instinctively.
Receive [wealth or prosperity] without arrogance, and be ready to let it go. (Book 8–33)
Receive and enjoy the wealth/prosperity when you get it. Do not be arrogant that you have it. Do not flaunt it over those who do not. At the same time do not start to love it so much that you become enslaved by it. Be prepared and ready to let it go, if you need to. Do not love your wealth so much that you’d trade your freedom for it.
[…] What then do you think of him who [avoids or] seeks the praise of those who applaud, of men who know not either where they are or who they are? (Book 8–52)
Do you really wish to get praised or avoid criticism from those who don’t even know about themselves and have spent no time thinking about their lives? If they don’t even know about themselves, what makes you think their opinions are worth anything?
He who fears death either fears the loss of sensation or a different kind of sensation. But if you shall have no sensation, neither will you feel any harm and if you shalt acquire another kind of sensation, you will be a different kind of living being and you will not cease to live. (Book 8–58)
Death is nothing to fear about. It is one of the few guarantees on this earth and the great equalizer. Why do you fear it? There are only two possibilities. Either you will no longer exist in any form and would thus be free of sensation and if so, you won’t feel any harmful sensation either. Or you still feel something but then it means you will still exist but in a different form.
He often acts unjustly who does not do a certain thing, not only he who does a certain thing. (Book 9–5)
Inaction can be unjust. Just because you choose inaction when you should have acted, doesn’t mean your hands are clean or that you have chosen a good path.
Today I have got out of all trouble, or rather I have cast out all trouble, for it was not outside, but within and in my opinions. (Book 9–13)
It’s your opinion and mindset that is the cause of all the strife and agitation. Expel these troubles from your mind. Your life is short, avoid getting troubled by trivial matters in particular.
Penetrate inwards into men’s leading principles, and you will see of what judges you are afraid, and what kind of judges they are of themselves. (Book 9–18)
Understand what others value. What are their guiding principles? Then think about if those principles are worth it, do they even have guiding principles? Are you afraid of the opinions of these people? Do not pay any attention to judgments and opinions of people who don’t have any guiding principles themselves. Opinions are a dime a dozen.
It is your duty to leave another man’s wrongful act there where it is. (Book 9–20)
Has anyone done an undesirable act against you? Leave it where it happened. There is nothing you can do about the actions of other people. The best you can do is to help them see the right path but if you can’t do that then do not hold a grudge. Unburden yourself from the weight of this wrongful act.
[…] if there is a god, all is well; and if chance rules, do not also be governed by it yourself. (Book 9–28)
If there is God then everything has a purpose and a reason. Everything is then governed by a divine purpose so there is no reason to be troubled. But if there is no God and things happen by chance then at least do not let your thoughts be whipped around by random things. Be steady in a world ruled by randomness.
[…] When they think that they do harm by their blame or good by their praise what a ridiculous idea! (Book 9–34)
What a ridiculous idea indeed to let someone else's words be good or harmful to you. You can’t control these things they why let them have impact on you?
[…] But if they (Gods) have power, why do you not pray for them to give you the faculty of not fearing any of the things which you fear, or of not desiring any of the things which you desire, or not being pained at anything, rather than pray that any of these things should or should not happen? (Book 9–40)
If you do believe in God then why do you pray to get the things that you desire instead of praying not to have desire for those trivial things? For if God had plans for you to get it, you will get it anyway.
Instead, pray to be free of fear and desires so you can have freedom.
When you are offended with any man’s shameless conduct, immediately ask yourself, Is it possible, then, that shameless men should not be in the world? It is not possible. Do not, then, require what is impossible. […] (Book 9–42)
Why do you wish for the impossible? Can you control other people’s words or actions? No, you can not.
Why do you wish to be praised, to have fame, and to have money? All of these require actions and words of others.
[…] For what more do you want when you have done a man a service? Are you not content that you have done something conformable to your nature, and do you seek to be paid for it? It is just as if the eye demanded a recompense for seeing, or the feet for walking. […] (Book 9–42)
Do good but without the expectation to have something back in return. Good in itself should be sufficient. Do not seek more than that because you are fulfilling your purpose.
If a man is mistaken, instruct him kindly and show him his error. But if you are not able, blame yourself, or do not blame even yourself. (Book 10–4)
[…] consider that you also do many things wrong, and that you are a man like others. And even if you do abstain from certain faults, still you have the disposition to commit them, even if through cowardice, or concern about reputation, or some such mean motive, you do abstain from such faults. […] (Book 10–18)
Do not be angry at someone’s mistake. Be kind and gentle. Help that person. You have made many mistakes yourself and you will continue to make more. Do not forget that.
[…] consider that you do not even understand whether men are doing wrong or not, for many things are done with a certain reference to circumstances. And in short, a man must learn a great deal to enable him to pass a correct judgment on another man’s acts. […] (Book 10–18)
To even judge that someone has made a mistake or done a wrong act, requires you know to the context and the circumstances. Avoid passing judgment on another person’s act too hastily.
[…] consider how much more pain is brought on us by the anger and frustration caused by such acts than by the acts themselves, at which we are angry and frustrated. […] (Book 10–18)
Opinion is the cause of most frustration and anger and this causes pain. If you change your opinion, the pain will go away as well.
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others. […] (Book 12–4)
If you love yourself more than others then why do you have less value in your own opinions? Why are you worried about the opinions of others when they are different than yourself? They are also entitled to their opinions just like you are entitled to yours.
Are you on the path dictated by your guiding principles? Then stay at it regardless of what other’s opinion is.
How ridiculous and what a stranger he is who is surprised at anything which happens in life. (Book 12–13)
Do not be surprised or caught off-guard and mourn something that is going to happen in this life. Do not engage in what-ifs, you are only wasting the present to think about things that can’t happen anymore.
Cast away opinion: you are saved. […] (Book 12–25)
You will be saved from a lot of anger, anguish, anxiousness, nervousness, frustration, and unhappiness. Choose to have a content life. Has something bad happened to you, reflect on how you can make the best out of your current circumstance? It is easier said than done but what other choice do you have?
What is your favourite passage or part of Stoic Philosophy?
