Evolved Inspired

Evolved Inspired

Ancient advice for improving Bloggers

Reading How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson and came across this advice from Diogenes which resonated with me as I continue on my journey to become a better writer. You can also check my fuller review of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor Correct grammar and good vocabulary Clarity of expression, making ideas easily understood Conciseness, employing no more words than necessary Appropriateness of style, suited to the subject matter and apparently also to the audience Distinction, or artistic excellence, and the avoidance of vulgarity How to Think like a Roman Emperor, Donald Robertson

Listening

A reminder that often listening, observing and contemplating is the correct action. How are we to learn if we always speak. When situations arise, often the ‘season for silence’ allows us to gather the right amount of knowledge and take stock of our emotive responses to respond with wisdom. It is a great thing to know the season for speech and the season for silence – Seneca We have been given two ears and but a single mouth in order that we may hear more and talk less.

How to Think like a Roman Emperor

Donald Robertson’s latest book How to Think like a Roman Emperor is an exciting and unique mix. We have many books on the life of Marcus Aurelius and separately his Stoicism mainly from Meditations. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, Donald combines both to give context as well as guidance. Robertson starts with an introduction to Marcus Aurelius, his birth in 121 A.

Ego

Does ego work with us or against us? Friend or foe on our journey through life? Ego or something else? Being egotistical is often thrown outwards towards others. Often ego in that context is mistaken for outwards selfishness rather than being about true ego. Equally if someone goes about their business with certainty or confidence they can be mistaken for being ego-driven. It seems easy to wrongly categorise externals with the ego label.

Who founded Stoicism?

Who founded Stoicism, a philosophy that along with Buddhism provides much common sense in today’s world? Founding a philosophy is no mean feat. Zeno of Citium is regarded as the founder of Stoicism. Zeno was born in Crete around 300 BC and found his way to Athens by way of being shipwrecked, losing all his possessions in the process. Stoicism was founded in Athens, Greece, and derives its name from the word Stoa, a public covered walkway or porch where early Stoics would meet.

Worse than anger?

Anger hurts, and anger hurts us back. What could possibly be a worse sentiment to carry than anger? You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger – Buddha Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned – Buddha Anger hurts, there are few arguments to the contrary in either ancient or modern philosophy.

What about love?

Is love the most sought after and most misunderstood of human connection? Since the earliest of written word, poets, philosophers and writers have entangled themselves in the quest to capture the essence of love. Love has a wide range of interpretation and regard, from the true single purpose of life to the silly pastime of the young or weak-minded. Love has provoked the most horrific of revenge and the most endearing of self-sacrifice.