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📿 What Philosophy Promises
This week’s Saturday meditation comes from the Discourses of Epictetus (c. 50 — c. 135 AD). Epictetus taught his students,
When a man was consulting him how he should persuade his brother to cease being angry with him, Epictetus replied: Philosophy does not propose to secure for a man any external thing. If it did (or if it were not, as I say), philosophy would be allowing something that is not within its province. For as the carpenter’s material is wood, and that of the statuary is copper, so the matter of the art of living is each man’s life.
Epictetus believed that nothing significant is produced suddenly. “If you say to me now that you want a fig,” explained Epictetus, “I will answer to you that it requires time: let it flower first, then put forth fruit, and then ripen.”
Contemplation Questions (Pick one or create your own!):
What type of life are you crafting?
In what areas of life do you have room for patience?
This Week’s Meditations…
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Thank you for reading this week; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W.
P.S. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or make suggestions!