Welcome to the Tuesday Coffee Hour here on Street Prophets. This is an open thread where we can hang out and talk about what’s going on in our worlds. There’s been some occasional discussion here on Daily Kos about the etiquette of posting dairies (okay, I don’t think anybody actually used the term “etiquette”, but that’s my interpretation of what they were talking about). Seeking some insights into the etiquette of posting diaries, I turned to the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus who never really posted a diary on Street Prophets, but would have if he had known about the internet.
The Greek philosopher Epictetus was born a slave in Hierapolis in 55 CE. He was sent to Rome to study with the Stoic teacher Gaius Musonius Rufus and became his most acclaimed student. Sometime after the year 68, Epictetus obtained his freedom. He taught in Rome until 94 CE when he was banished by the emperor Domitian. He died about 135 in northern Greece.
His student, Arian, who had studied with him about 108 CE, wrote down his Discourses from his lecture notes.
To obtain happiness and peace of mind, Epictetus taught, it is was our duty to care for our fellow humans. Trying to control what is uncontrollable or neglecting that which is within our power leads to suffering. He also felt that only the ignorant person finds fault with another.
In The Art of Living, interpreted by Sharon Lebell, Epictetus writes:
“First and foremost, think before you speak to make sure you are speaking with good purpose. Glib talk disrespects others. Breezy self-disclosure disrespects yourself. So many people feel compelled to give voice to any passing feeling, thought, or impression they have. They randomly dump the contents of their minds without regard to the consequences. This is practically and morally dangerous. If we babble about every idea that occurs to us—big and small—we can easily fritter away in the trivial currents of mindless talk[,] ideas that have true merit. Unchecked speech is like a vehicle wildly lurching out of control and destined for a ditch.”
This is an open thread. Feel free to discuss any topic.