"Decency" has become a cover story for cowardice, an excuse for those who wanted to do what they knew to be right but didn't. Few things are as irritating as a coward posturing as the adult in the room and pretending it's "only decent."
It's also awesome when someone still gets it. A friend of mine from my old Muay Thai gym dropped some guy at a football game for mouthing off to my friend's girlfriend at the time. My friend is 5'6" and the other guy was around 6'. When they went into the courtroom, the judge looked at the other guy and in a sarcastic, poor-baby voice said, "Oh, are you the victim?"
There is much truth here, and it speaks to how the meaning of words bends over time based on ideology. To your second point, I am stunned a judge at present still holds old school values like this. It is epic to hear.
I think we have now a Commander in Chief who does what is right even if it’s devious. President Trump Delivered Commencement Speech At West Point: "Fight, Fight, Fight And Win, Win, Win" but lead with peace.
It is in positions of power that the most damage is done when the world inverts right and wrong. Having seen much of America's foreign policy and attempts at "nation building" as opposed to winning wars, I will support anyone vying for peace while at the same time holding a very heavy hammer.
Well Sam that certainly is one way to follow up Memorial Day!!! I rose this am with an aching body and a full heart to greet the day, and read your essay. Wow, you hit deep with that one. Great start to a day in eastern MA. Let’s go! Tim
" ... those who start wars for the wrong reasons; who start them and do not fight in them; who start them and do not allow the warfighters to win them; and we can also include those who refuse to start wars only for millions more to die than would have died otherwise."
The paragraph poured out of me and it was twice the size it currently is—I had to take a hammer to it in order to slim it down, otherwise the rant would have dominated the essay. Thank you, Kyle.
Courage exists but it’s doing its dirty work on the down low. I saw and see too many good young men and yes young women in the service and in real life all around.
This is so timely for me Sam. A good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with a turbo-cancer, her whole life is turned sideways yet she soldiers on.
We were discussing Epictetus’ teaching “Keep death and exile before your eyes each day, along with everything that seems terrible – by doing so, you´ll never have a base thought nor will have excessive desire.”
Staring at death brings perfect clarity of purpose, as does helplessly watching someone deal with the unexpected possibility of imminent mortality. Everything else becomes trivial.
I am sorry, Asperges. That is rough, and yet at the same time you're finding the depth of meaning only these sorts of events can bring. I wish and your friend all the best.
Thanks Sam. Rough yes, but the tangible Joy and Humility, and complete appreciation for Life during those moments we confront the veil between now and hereafter; for me, it is a feeling of resonance with God, a reminder of our formation in the image and likeness, a calling to supersede our human bindings and embrace our potential to Love as God loves. 💗
The introspection of Stoicism illuminates and amplifies the infinite knowledge of God placed within my soul.
I’m wondering, how do you practically relate to the laws of the gods? To me it relates closely to Plato’s perception and participation in the Forms through noetic contemplation. That practice seems to be largely lost on the west though. Curious how you see this
I try to simplify. "A life in accordance with nature" is vague, but I attempted in this piece to tie it back to brotherly love, to acting as a member of society in some positive way, to questioning the assumptions of culture, government, and so on. This could be a good conversation but over a message it might require much more than a comment.
Agreed. I think it’s one of the most important and difficult problems of philosophy.
I’m hosting a guided study group on this starting mid June, focusing on the often overlooked practical aspects of Neoplatonism, correlated to other authentic systems.
It’s a space designed for that conversation, especially regarding finding and navigating reference points in this meaning-making that often becomes quite arbitrary. Realise it’s a sudden thing to invite to like this, but you’re warmly welcome to join if you’re interested.
"Decency" has become a cover story for cowardice, an excuse for those who wanted to do what they knew to be right but didn't. Few things are as irritating as a coward posturing as the adult in the room and pretending it's "only decent."
It's also awesome when someone still gets it. A friend of mine from my old Muay Thai gym dropped some guy at a football game for mouthing off to my friend's girlfriend at the time. My friend is 5'6" and the other guy was around 6'. When they went into the courtroom, the judge looked at the other guy and in a sarcastic, poor-baby voice said, "Oh, are you the victim?"
There is much truth here, and it speaks to how the meaning of words bends over time based on ideology. To your second point, I am stunned a judge at present still holds old school values like this. It is epic to hear.
I think we have now a Commander in Chief who does what is right even if it’s devious. President Trump Delivered Commencement Speech At West Point: "Fight, Fight, Fight And Win, Win, Win" but lead with peace.
It is in positions of power that the most damage is done when the world inverts right and wrong. Having seen much of America's foreign policy and attempts at "nation building" as opposed to winning wars, I will support anyone vying for peace while at the same time holding a very heavy hammer.
Well Sam that certainly is one way to follow up Memorial Day!!! I rose this am with an aching body and a full heart to greet the day, and read your essay. Wow, you hit deep with that one. Great start to a day in eastern MA. Let’s go! Tim
I am much obliged, Tim. I'm grateful this struck home.
" ... those who start wars for the wrong reasons; who start them and do not fight in them; who start them and do not allow the warfighters to win them; and we can also include those who refuse to start wars only for millions more to die than would have died otherwise."
👏
Thank you Baird.
Your list of devious shit is epic. I have no doubt you could add in 500 more examples.
Also, love your point on pulling quotes from the depths of these ancient texts that are often underused.
Excellent read as always and I look forward to now listening to it on the way into work.
The paragraph poured out of me and it was twice the size it currently is—I had to take a hammer to it in order to slim it down, otherwise the rant would have dominated the essay. Thank you, Kyle.
What a true essay. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome, Betsy. Thank you for the comment and I am grateful you enjoyed it.
Fucking A Sam! 💥💪🏻
I love the way your framed this. Is courage dead? No but it’s on life support with the masses and our leaders.
This quote really got me fired up: “it is devious to prevent a violent assault and respectable to film it with a smart phone”
I have grown so weary of seeing people’s first response be to raise their stupid phones.
Carry on my friend. You’re circling a lot of truth here—and also a lot of bullshit—and sticking a devious and deadly knife in its eye.
This is probably one of my favorite comments of all time. I appreciate your thoughts as always, dee.
💪🏻
Courage exists but it’s doing its dirty work on the down low. I saw and see too many good young men and yes young women in the service and in real life all around.
Is it Approved by Official Culture ®️ yet?
Who. Cares.
Well said.
This is so timely for me Sam. A good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with a turbo-cancer, her whole life is turned sideways yet she soldiers on.
We were discussing Epictetus’ teaching “Keep death and exile before your eyes each day, along with everything that seems terrible – by doing so, you´ll never have a base thought nor will have excessive desire.”
Staring at death brings perfect clarity of purpose, as does helplessly watching someone deal with the unexpected possibility of imminent mortality. Everything else becomes trivial.
Stunning piece my friend. Thank you!
I am sorry, Asperges. That is rough, and yet at the same time you're finding the depth of meaning only these sorts of events can bring. I wish and your friend all the best.
Thanks Sam. Rough yes, but the tangible Joy and Humility, and complete appreciation for Life during those moments we confront the veil between now and hereafter; for me, it is a feeling of resonance with God, a reminder of our formation in the image and likeness, a calling to supersede our human bindings and embrace our potential to Love as God loves. 💗
The introspection of Stoicism illuminates and amplifies the infinite knowledge of God placed within my soul.
Beautifully, epically said. Thank you Asperges.
Epictetus came in handy in the Hanoi Hilton too, at least for Admiral Stockdale.
Indeed he did. For those who know him, he always seems to pop up when needed the most.
His story was when I learned the power of stoicism and a disciplined mind.
Well done Sir.
I am much obliged. Thank you for the note.
Bravo.
I’m wondering, how do you practically relate to the laws of the gods? To me it relates closely to Plato’s perception and participation in the Forms through noetic contemplation. That practice seems to be largely lost on the west though. Curious how you see this
I try to simplify. "A life in accordance with nature" is vague, but I attempted in this piece to tie it back to brotherly love, to acting as a member of society in some positive way, to questioning the assumptions of culture, government, and so on. This could be a good conversation but over a message it might require much more than a comment.
Agreed. I think it’s one of the most important and difficult problems of philosophy.
I’m hosting a guided study group on this starting mid June, focusing on the often overlooked practical aspects of Neoplatonism, correlated to other authentic systems.
It’s a space designed for that conversation, especially regarding finding and navigating reference points in this meaning-making that often becomes quite arbitrary. Realise it’s a sudden thing to invite to like this, but you’re warmly welcome to join if you’re interested.
This sounds fascinating. I appreciate the invite and I will see if I can make it.