wisdom literature

Is That a Dagger I See Before Me?

I certainly should like to see Peisander the demagogos learning to turn somersaults among the knives; for, as it is now, his inability to look spears in the face makes him shrink even from soldiering. – Xenophon, Symposium, 2.14 (tr. Loeb, slightly edited) Concerning the dagger, that which is to bee done therewith, it is... Continue reading: Is That a Dagger I See Before Me?

Life as a Play

A flyer for a business in Innsbruck: "NABU RECORDS: Schallplattn An- und Verkauf. Exotica - Reggae - Dub - Hiphop - Austro Funk - Soul - Jazz - Rock - Metal - Pop - African - Arabic - Electro - Turntables - Poster" — Deliberate allusion or accidental choice of a name? Just like the river shrine to a certain Lady, parallels with ancient motifs are all around you in Innsbruck!

Epictetus, Enchiridion 17 tr. Manning

Remember that you are an actor in a play, in whatever kind the producer chooses: if short, then short, if long, then long. If he wants you to play a pauper, or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen, you should play it the best that you can. For this is your job, to play the part that is given to you well, but to chose it belongs to another.