Required Reading: Letter 29: On The Critical condition Of Marcellinus
“He seldom comes to see me, for no other reason than that he is afraid to hear the truth…for one must not talk to a man unless he is willing to listen.”
Do you know a Marcellinus? It is certainly possible that as you journey on towards wisdom you will meet him. Perhaps he is a family member, a friend, an associate who you try to convert over to philosophy; I am certain that you are one of those in the class of giving advice when it is not asked — really you can’t help it; understood.
Yet, it goes without saying that many times you are left hurt, discouraged; that those you deary love aren’t treating your advice with gratitude. You have a Marcellinus in your clan; one who is bold enough to sometimes question you every thought; your way of life; one so gifted with wit and charm that he or she seems to be succeeding in the ways of the world; while you seemingly live in voluntary humility — two some degree an undesired lifestyle according to the populace.
Well, it is in your best interest to challenge; to persist in such a mode; to sharpen your wisdom against such a character; for he is present to help rather than to hinder you; for you learn a skill not from being dormant rather from its active use; and such is philosophy!
Nonetheless, your philosophy is a private affair; it is not to be sown hitter and thither, at random; aim to speak only to those in need of your service not to any and everyone. A doctor does not go out standing by the roadside looking for every walking being to cure. Naturally everyone is not in need of health; hence, you must be discriminate in your pursuit of dispensing such prescription called philosophy. As stated by Seneca “Now wisdom is an art; it should have a definite aim; choosing only those who will make progress but withdrawing from those whom it has come to regard as hopeless – yet not abandoning them too soon and just when the case is becoming hopeless trying drastic remedies.”
So it is in the case of Marcellinus; wisdom must do all it can to save such a soul; for many times it is such a soul that ends up being more beneficial to mankind! Farewell.
Word of the day:
Dole (noun): unemployment benefits; charitable distributions (The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus 2nd Edition).
Quotations:
“The archer ought not to hit the mark only sometimes; he ought to miss it only sometimes.”
“That wish takes effect by chance is not an art.”
“…regulate your character, rouse your courage, and stand firm in the face of things which have terrified you. Do not count the number of those who inspire fear in you.”
“I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know, they do not approve, and what they approve, I do not know.” -Epicurus
“For who that is pleased by virtue can please the crowd? It takes trickery to win popular approval.”
“However, what you think of yourself is much more to the point than what others think of you.”
Questions:
1) Do you give unwarranted advice? In the habit of preaching; talking too much?
2) Has anyone confronted you; made fun of you; scorn your beliefs? How did it make you feel?
3) Do you feel you are doing the work of God if you try to convert too many people to your belief?
4) Do you believe those you are trying to convert have no belief of their own? Perhaps are private about it?
Activities:
1) Go today without talking to anyone about philosophy. Then, try it for a week; a month; and journal the effect on you, your family, friends, and associates.
2) Think about — survey your relationships and stand apart a Marcellinus. There aren’t many of these so be very discriminate.
3) Make it your plan to prescribe philosophy to him or her anytime they act, speak or do what seems counter to philosophy. This is who needs it most; not every and anybody else.
