Required Reading: Letter 7: On Crowds
“I write this not for the many, but for you; each of us is enough of an audience for the other.” -Epicurus.
This letter is a tricky one; for within Seneca states the importance of staying away from crowds; keeping your own company. Now, this business of staying away from crowds could resonate as staying away from people in general; and herein lies the thin line; for one must find that happy medium in knowing when to be around people (lots of people) and when to be around just one or a few or plain just be alone and yet, still be at peace!
As a philosopher (simply, “a lover of wisdom”), I find myself many days alone; by myself; not that I do not have or want to be around “friends” but I am just happier nowadays being alone; I am more in control of myself. I find myself less a victim to what Seneca states “Much harm’s done by a single case of indulgence or greed; the familiar friend, if he be luxurious, weakens and softens us imperceptibly…”
And boy! I can attest to that! For when I spend time with some of my “luxurious friends”, I do things not by volition but by just following the crowd; peer-pressure takes over; and just to be a team-player; “not wanting to hurt their feelings”, I am corrupted! And not the man I knew prior to.
Perhaps, some of you have more tolerance with the above; but I am lacking in that capacity hence, I find it best to stay away from the crowd. I must always be in full control of myself every waking second of the day!
So, the crowd he speaks of can be likened to going to a major; sometimes minor sports event, a concert; a bar, some places of worship, or just hanging out with a friend who has some sort of subjective negative influence over you. The admonition, “Withdraw into yourself, as far as you can. Associate with those who will make a better man of you.”
On a journey as such, you’ll find that there will be few and far between; people you can share such knowledge with; quite frankly, it goes against the majority; so don’t hurt your head trying to “preach wisdom”. For as Seneca states “…as it is, there is not a man of them who can understand you.”
This course is for you! You are learning all of this first for yourself! For you can never stop improving; but, just in case you are fortunate to have a follower, help him “…for men learn while they teach..” You are not at this to have a lot of people adore you or aim to get their applause or approval. This is all about you! SELF HELP U! Farewell.
Word of the day:
Imperceptibly (adverb): indiscernible, unnoticeable, invisible (The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus 2nd Edition).
Quotations:
“Do you ask me what you should regard as especially to be avoided? I say, crowds…”
“To consort with the crowds is harmful…”
“But nothing is so damaging to good character as the habit of lounging at the games; for then it is that vice steals subtly upon one through the avenue of pleasure.”
“It is too easy to side with the majority.”
“Welcome those whom you yourself can improve.”
“There is no reason why pride in advertising your abilities should lure you into publicity, so that you should desire to recite or harangue before the general public.”
“One man means as much to me as a multitude, and a multitude only as much as one man.” – Democritus.
“Many men praise you; but have you any reason for being pleased with yourself, if you are a person whom the many can understand?”
Questions:
1) What sports game do you enjoy? Concerts? Any? Why?
2) Do you attend church, synagogue, mosque religiously? How is the presentation? Calm or excitable? Why do you attend?
3) Do you work in a big corporation or a smaller firm? Work remote; alone? By choice?
4) Do you attend social events or concerts regularly? Is this a habit?
Activity:
1) Limit your sports, concert, excited-church going events. Begin to go once a month if you go once a week; wean yourself off eventually.
2) Find a sport, game, or activity you can only do by yourself; for example: swim, run, fish, chess, puzzle, pray-meditate.
3) Start being your own “MVP”; your own “Celebrity”, your own “Priest”.
