Required Reading: Letter 31: On Siren Songs
“Work is not a good. Then what is a good? I say, the scorning of work. That is why I should rebuke men who toil to no purpose.“
Of all the letters I have read so far, none is more touching of spirit; none has brought me so much emotion, tears, excitement, as this one! It is deeply spiritual! And touches the very depth of my soul!
If I must re-read any letter, it must be this one! For I am moved to strike pen to pad; going through the very state of mind of endless toil as it relates to work in “Caesar’s world”, truly contemplating walking away! For work has not being purposeful thus far and this sort of craziness must stop!
The only work that Seneca chided, and truly what I feel the soul is elated about, is one that is in pursuit of an honourable cause; and one must find such a work! And the earliest the better. Now, the dilemma faced by majority of “freedman’s sons”, is that living one paycheck away from destitution! Now, to curb such a state, one must embrace the soul; connect so dearly to be happy, even in such a state—POVERTY!
Happiness is found in such a place that regardless of the lack thereof of “extras”, one need find contentment in what lies in one’s hands—whether it’s plain water or bread crumbs. Now, who can follow such a teaching? Who can willingly accept such philosophy? You are quite right; only a few—those who can, will stare Fortune dead in its face—turn away “Thanks but no thanks!”.
Those are the chosen ones; for “What else could you call such a soul than a god dwelling as a guest in a human body?” This is the soul we seek; a “soul that is upright, good and great”! And to paraphrase the teacher, “A soul like this may descend into a Roman knight just as well as into a freedman’s son or a slave!” Farewell!
Quotations:
“Be deaf to those who love you most of all; they pray for bad things with good intentions.”
“And, if you would be happy, entreat the gods that none of their fond desires for you may be brought to pass.”
“…there is only one good, the cause and support of a happy life—trust in oneself.”
“What then is good? The knowledge of things. What is evil? the lack of knowledge of things.”
“…the journey for which nature has equipped you is safe and pleasant. she has given you such gifts that you may, if you do not prove false to them, rise level with God.”
“Your money, however, will not place you on a level with God; for God has no property…”
“…for this God of whom I speak, though the highest and most powerful of beings, carries all things on his own shoulders.”
“Neither can beauty or strength make you blesses, for none of these qualities can withstand old age.”
Questions:
1) Are you truly working to a purpose? Is there a reason why you work so hard?
2) Do you scorn work? Is it just to pay the bills? Or is there a passion in it?
3) Answer the million dollar question—’If you suddenly had a million dollars, would you do the work you now do?’ If yes, you are toiling to a purpose—struggling towards an honourable thing; and you must be applauded. If not, “make yourself happy through your own efforts.”
Activities:
1) Write down THE PURPOSE for working in your life—what are you aiming to achieve with work?
2) Search and find your Honourable things for which you must now work towards.
3) Begin to scorn work! Set a date to FIRE work! Become Financially Independent Retire Early!
