Wisdom from Epictetus, worries in Ukraine and an intense election cycle ahead
Weekly Ink #1
A new weekly newsletter with findings, practical wisdom, and interesting conversations from across the web, curated by yours truly.
Insights
Curated stories and ideas that shape our world and expand our understanding.
Ukraine Enters New Phase of War With Russia: Dig, Dig, Dig: Sobering reporting from the WSJ on the situation in Ukraine. Seemingly running out of ammunition and manpower, I can’t help but think that the tide is turning against Ukraine in Russia’s favor. While I am not sure what a victory in Ukraine for Ukraine can look like, allowing Russia to steamroll the country and its people and dictate the terms should be a no-go for every American and supporter of liberty. I remain hopeful that some form of aid package will get through Congress soon.
How I Learned to Concentrate: This is a blatant promo for Cal Newport's new book, Slow Productivity, but I liked it all the same. We often mistake busyness for productivity. Thinking takes focus, effort, and a certain amount of idleness that does not occur when jumping from one Zoom meeting to another. I will have to pick up a copy.
Contemplations
Meditations, practical philosophy, and the occasional restless thought.
One of my favorite highlighted passages from the Enchiridion:
“If someone has been placed ahead of you at a banquet or in a reception line or in being called on as a consultant, you should be pleased that he has got these things, if they are good. But if they are bad, don’t be upset because you didn’t get them. Keep in mind that you cannot expect to get an equal share of the things that are not up to us without doing the same things others have done. If you don’t hang out at someone’s door or go around with him or flatter him, how can you have the same share of his regard as the person who does these things? If you don’t pay the price these things are sold at, and want to get them for free, you would be unfair and greedy. What’s the cost of lettuces? An *obol maybe. If someone pays an obol and gets the lettuces, while you don't pay and don't get them don’t think you have less than he has. While he has the lettuces, you have the unspent obol. It’s just the same in the cases we are considering. You were not invited to someone’s dinner party. That’s because you didn’t pay the host the price of the dinner. He sells it for flattery, for getting attention. Pay the price it’s sold for, then, if you think it’s worth it. But if you want to get it without paying up, you are being greedy and stupid. Do you have nothing instead of the dinner? Of course you do. You don’t have to flatter the man you didn’t want to flatter or to deal with the crowd around his door.”
— How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life (Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers) by Epictetus
I really like this passage, there’s a lot going on (as he is tying together several themes from the Enchiridion here). But, the key insight to me, is that Epictetus seems to call on his pupils to understand that everything has a price and that some prices are not worth paying. We are often incentivized to compromise our integrity for personal, financial, or political gain. Don’t. Once you give it away, you don’t get it back, and every time we compromise our values for gain, it becomes easier to justify doing it again next time.
Dialogue
Voices, perspectives, and conversations from our community and across the web.
In this conversation at the New Yorkers' “Political Scene,” Evan Osnos discusses his experience interviewing Biden, his take on Trump, and the 2024 election. I found it to be a fair-minded analysis of Biden, the race, and the challenges ahead.
Full Podcast episode here. Twenty minutes, well worth a listen.
What did you think of the passage from Epictetus? Are you good at long stretches of focus? Have feedback? Hit that reply button and let me know! ✍️