I find it really interesting you found Epictetus following your experiences with war just as Epictetus found Musonius after significant experience with slavery. Almost as if the mentor provided powerful language and perspective within the experience already lived.
As I continue to read Discourses again (because of you) it’s wild how similar your writing feels to his in the raw and honest but empowering style for those willing to be uncomfortable with the words and subsequent application.
I deeply appreciate it, Kyle. I feel a bond with the man. I have a similar feeling with Eric Hoffer. It has happened where I will be writing and then realize I wrote a sentence that was actually one of theirs and almost unintentionally plagiarized them. I couldn't be more grateful for Epictetus and I'm stoked you're rereading them — they only get better with time.
Sam this was so timely! Been a bad couple of days, just nonsense stuff, but enough to aggravate an old 0302. Then Sam shows up this morning and reminds…endure…renounce, it’s nuisance stuff that has your ass in a twist. I picked the fig, endured the thistle, tastes very good, the fingers will heal. Hot, cold, thirst, hunger, tired. They all just another feeling. Endure, renounce and carry on? Well now you have something.
Thanks for post and the lift sailor! Semper Fi!
PS Those early SOG guys were truly something, not to take anything away from today’s warriors but when you look at the changes in gear and education and training you really respect what they did, invented and taught.
Aggravating a former infantryman is never a good idea — I'm grateful this was able to put the nuisance stuff back in its place. The SOG were exceptional. Their experimentation, relentless training, possibility of never even having your body returned to the states... theirs was a truly savage war. I admire the hell out of them. Thank you, Charles.
Beautifully written Sam! I find I always learn a lot about stoicism in your posts, and I loved this one. Perspective is everything, no matter what’s going on. Also it reminded me a bit of this quote:
“It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.”
Sam, this is powerful for all the usual reasons your essays are: articulate, relatable, and timely. But this one is also empowering because it shows us that with only our minds we can achieve it all: peace, war, hate, love, confusion, clarity...
The virtues you highlight and which have been articulated and discussed for thousands of years are powerful, yet to some (it seems to me) are threatened by the assertion of such virtues. I'm curious and surprised by this; I think it's mostly because they are afraid. I hope they read your essay.
Epictetus has been on my reading list, and after reading this (and yesterday's convo with Kyle), it's now at the top.
I love it. Thank you Jesse. I recommend the Oldfather translation of Epictetus (Loeb, in two parts). His is the most faithful translation, and he also captured in English his actual voice in Greek, a translational feat that is simply extraordinary. No other translator has come close.
I’d also like to suggest the recent Robin Waterfield translation. It’s very readable from a contemporary reader’s perspective and the footnotes to the text are a gold mine for context and explanation.
Incredible story and commentary. Cuts completely through the noise.
This is not surprising and in many ways reinforces the story, but I believe SOG was all-volunteer(?). Those folks repeatedly chose to go where the shit would rain right on them.
They are 100% volunteer, which might add some confusion to those who picture Vietnam veterans as all victims of the draft. Many who fought believed in the mission and found a home in war. Theirs is a wonderful perspective. Thanks, Dan.
A very unique perspective Sam. Knowing the Stoics like I do and seeing your perspective with the military experience and history added in, is always entertaining to read and listen to.
This is so beautiful and enlightening! The thought of being in the midst of the enemies facing the fears of death, to you and your fellow brothers, is overwhelming. I cannot commend enough to the words of brilliance and to the path of surrendering to God all the obstacles life gives us.
Reading about the visceral realities of war always changes the course of my day. Can’t stop thinking about the SOG guys that called it in on their position.
A litmus test for anyone’s reason to send men and women to war should be to live that experience.
They were legends. I had the pleasure of speaking to a couple of them and they still look back in awe at what they did. And for your second piece about living that experience, I could not agree more.
Also, I shared the piece with my friend and he had a great response that your piece connected with a portion of his recent Bible study:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Thank you for this. It’s a timely reminder to reroute the neural pathway and embrace the daily opportunities to practice patience, stoic acceptance, and gratitude for what is.
Great writing, Sam. 👏 It occurs to me that your average adolescent and young adult has never heard words like endurance and renunciation. They have heard a great deal of therapy and political speak. I fear this ill equips them to deal with life as it comes.
Nailed it, Baird. What a wrong foot they have been forced to start out with. I hope that the stellar writing many here on Substack are putting out can make even the smallest dent possible. I appreciate it.
The battles, both seen and unseen, fought by mankind highlight the complexities of life and death that manifest in wars. Every person deserves protection; all hearts should receive kindness, support, and understanding, free from judgment, deceit, or discrimination.
As I discussed with Kyle yesterday, there is a delicate balance between our professional responsibilities and protecting our families. Trust and clear communication are essential for everyone, as they help us understand the world and safeguard it using the tools we each possess.
We must not be misled by the conflicts among humanity or by our individual desires. Every life warrants protection and the right to feel supported, trusted, and safe. The true wealth of mankind lies in a world where communication fosters trust and nurtures faith.
There exists a spiritual pull to support each soul. We should not let wars define our actions; true love for one another means walking side by side. Trust in the spiritual realm of guidance if you find yourself lacking understanding.
This is very well said: "The true wealth of mankind lies in a world where communication fosters trust and nurtures faith." Thank you for the comment and thoughts, Deborah.
Whew Sam. I sitting here with my heart racing, memories choking my breath. That story is a helicopter pilot’s nightmare. We would do everything to pull troops out of the shit. Everything and anything. I can recall in a couple of situations hovering over troops and doing pedal turns in my gunship laying down rockets and minigun fire. The SOG guys were beyond brave and they are resting in peace. I promise you the pilots in that Shithook never sleep in peace.
I believe it, Marshall. I worked with helicopter pilots who took so many risks for us they only made it home draped in flags. The debt can never be repaid.
Thank you for sharing, and for risking all on behalf of the knuckle-draggers on the ground.
Very powerful and insightful Sam. I appreciate your observation about brothers in belief versus blood and “The dying see what the living ignore.” I didn’t die in combat(duh!), but it taught me to appreciate life and helps me sort the important from the trivial, though I’ll be the first to admit it’s a lesson I’ve imperfectly absorbed.
I was disturbed that the Americans would not go out at night. WTF. My unit wasn’t anything special, but I never recall us refusing a mission to save our buddies. Hell, we even went out on occasion to save jarheads. They were very accomplished at getting deep in the shit.
If I remember correctly, the mission was over the border into Cambodia so there was a bit of rule breaking involved. Agreed — jarheads have a tendency to get after it a little too hard at times, hence my love for them. I've also "imperfectly absorbed" some of these lessons. Writing these pieces is a way to further scope them out, refine them, reassess them, tailor them for this new life. I appreciate the comment and thoughts, Marshall.
I find it really interesting you found Epictetus following your experiences with war just as Epictetus found Musonius after significant experience with slavery. Almost as if the mentor provided powerful language and perspective within the experience already lived.
As I continue to read Discourses again (because of you) it’s wild how similar your writing feels to his in the raw and honest but empowering style for those willing to be uncomfortable with the words and subsequent application.
Just incredible shit brother.
I deeply appreciate it, Kyle. I feel a bond with the man. I have a similar feeling with Eric Hoffer. It has happened where I will be writing and then realize I wrote a sentence that was actually one of theirs and almost unintentionally plagiarized them. I couldn't be more grateful for Epictetus and I'm stoked you're rereading them — they only get better with time.
Sam this was so timely! Been a bad couple of days, just nonsense stuff, but enough to aggravate an old 0302. Then Sam shows up this morning and reminds…endure…renounce, it’s nuisance stuff that has your ass in a twist. I picked the fig, endured the thistle, tastes very good, the fingers will heal. Hot, cold, thirst, hunger, tired. They all just another feeling. Endure, renounce and carry on? Well now you have something.
Thanks for post and the lift sailor! Semper Fi!
PS Those early SOG guys were truly something, not to take anything away from today’s warriors but when you look at the changes in gear and education and training you really respect what they did, invented and taught.
Aggravating a former infantryman is never a good idea — I'm grateful this was able to put the nuisance stuff back in its place. The SOG were exceptional. Their experimentation, relentless training, possibility of never even having your body returned to the states... theirs was a truly savage war. I admire the hell out of them. Thank you, Charles.
Beautifully written Sam! I find I always learn a lot about stoicism in your posts, and I loved this one. Perspective is everything, no matter what’s going on. Also it reminded me a bit of this quote:
“It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.”
Chuck Palahniuk
Thank you Genevieve! I have not heard this quote before but I am a fan of it — it strikes deep. I'm grateful you enjoyed this.
Sam, this is powerful for all the usual reasons your essays are: articulate, relatable, and timely. But this one is also empowering because it shows us that with only our minds we can achieve it all: peace, war, hate, love, confusion, clarity...
The virtues you highlight and which have been articulated and discussed for thousands of years are powerful, yet to some (it seems to me) are threatened by the assertion of such virtues. I'm curious and surprised by this; I think it's mostly because they are afraid. I hope they read your essay.
Epictetus has been on my reading list, and after reading this (and yesterday's convo with Kyle), it's now at the top.
I love it. Thank you Jesse. I recommend the Oldfather translation of Epictetus (Loeb, in two parts). His is the most faithful translation, and he also captured in English his actual voice in Greek, a translational feat that is simply extraordinary. No other translator has come close.
Looking it up now… Thanks
I’d also like to suggest the recent Robin Waterfield translation. It’s very readable from a contemporary reader’s perspective and the footnotes to the text are a gold mine for context and explanation.
Excellent- thanks, Erik. I'll check out that one too.
Incredible story and commentary. Cuts completely through the noise.
This is not surprising and in many ways reinforces the story, but I believe SOG was all-volunteer(?). Those folks repeatedly chose to go where the shit would rain right on them.
Thank you Sam.
They are 100% volunteer, which might add some confusion to those who picture Vietnam veterans as all victims of the draft. Many who fought believed in the mission and found a home in war. Theirs is a wonderful perspective. Thanks, Dan.
A very unique perspective Sam. Knowing the Stoics like I do and seeing your perspective with the military experience and history added in, is always entertaining to read and listen to.
Thank you Enda! I'm stoked you enjoyed it.
This is so beautiful and enlightening! The thought of being in the midst of the enemies facing the fears of death, to you and your fellow brothers, is overwhelming. I cannot commend enough to the words of brilliance and to the path of surrendering to God all the obstacles life gives us.
Thank you, Phillip, I'm grateful you found value in it.
Reading about the visceral realities of war always changes the course of my day. Can’t stop thinking about the SOG guys that called it in on their position.
A litmus test for anyone’s reason to send men and women to war should be to live that experience.
They were legends. I had the pleasure of speaking to a couple of them and they still look back in awe at what they did. And for your second piece about living that experience, I could not agree more.
Well received. Bring it on.
Let's go, Mac.
Dude it’s such a pleasure to be on the reading side of your writing journey. Fwiw this is my favorite of your works so far.
The point of relative vs absolute is a magnificent kernel to ponder.
Bravo
Rock on, Daniel, thank you for the feedback and I'm stoked it struck you.
Also, I shared the piece with my friend and he had a great response that your piece connected with a portion of his recent Bible study:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
If Epictetus were to use this preacher voice, he could have said it no better than this. This dials it in perfectly.
Thank you for this. It’s a timely reminder to reroute the neural pathway and embrace the daily opportunities to practice patience, stoic acceptance, and gratitude for what is.
This is well said, Tim. You are more than welcome. Let's pave those pathways with something granite and ancient.
This is some of your finest work, Sam.
It is deeply appreciated, Sarah. Thank you.
Great writing, Sam. 👏 It occurs to me that your average adolescent and young adult has never heard words like endurance and renunciation. They have heard a great deal of therapy and political speak. I fear this ill equips them to deal with life as it comes.
Nailed it, Baird. What a wrong foot they have been forced to start out with. I hope that the stellar writing many here on Substack are putting out can make even the smallest dent possible. I appreciate it.
The battles, both seen and unseen, fought by mankind highlight the complexities of life and death that manifest in wars. Every person deserves protection; all hearts should receive kindness, support, and understanding, free from judgment, deceit, or discrimination.
As I discussed with Kyle yesterday, there is a delicate balance between our professional responsibilities and protecting our families. Trust and clear communication are essential for everyone, as they help us understand the world and safeguard it using the tools we each possess.
We must not be misled by the conflicts among humanity or by our individual desires. Every life warrants protection and the right to feel supported, trusted, and safe. The true wealth of mankind lies in a world where communication fosters trust and nurtures faith.
There exists a spiritual pull to support each soul. We should not let wars define our actions; true love for one another means walking side by side. Trust in the spiritual realm of guidance if you find yourself lacking understanding.
This is very well said: "The true wealth of mankind lies in a world where communication fosters trust and nurtures faith." Thank you for the comment and thoughts, Deborah.
Whew Sam. I sitting here with my heart racing, memories choking my breath. That story is a helicopter pilot’s nightmare. We would do everything to pull troops out of the shit. Everything and anything. I can recall in a couple of situations hovering over troops and doing pedal turns in my gunship laying down rockets and minigun fire. The SOG guys were beyond brave and they are resting in peace. I promise you the pilots in that Shithook never sleep in peace.
I believe it, Marshall. I worked with helicopter pilots who took so many risks for us they only made it home draped in flags. The debt can never be repaid.
Thank you for sharing, and for risking all on behalf of the knuckle-draggers on the ground.
I wrote this piece a few months ago about a helo pilot supporting the SOG in Vietnam, maybe you will find value in it. https://www.whatthen.org/p/lessons-written-in-blood-wisdom-written
Very powerful and insightful Sam. I appreciate your observation about brothers in belief versus blood and “The dying see what the living ignore.” I didn’t die in combat(duh!), but it taught me to appreciate life and helps me sort the important from the trivial, though I’ll be the first to admit it’s a lesson I’ve imperfectly absorbed.
I was disturbed that the Americans would not go out at night. WTF. My unit wasn’t anything special, but I never recall us refusing a mission to save our buddies. Hell, we even went out on occasion to save jarheads. They were very accomplished at getting deep in the shit.
If I remember correctly, the mission was over the border into Cambodia so there was a bit of rule breaking involved. Agreed — jarheads have a tendency to get after it a little too hard at times, hence my love for them. I've also "imperfectly absorbed" some of these lessons. Writing these pieces is a way to further scope them out, refine them, reassess them, tailor them for this new life. I appreciate the comment and thoughts, Marshall.
Yes, a”little too hard” is a great way to put it. ROTFL.
There is somthing about the snap and crack of the other side's bullets that shifts perspective.
It is stunning. Wretched, but stunning.
I prefer them to shift their perspective based on my aimed fire first :)