211029 What I learned in my studies this morning

Underlying facts,

Unmoving as solid rock.

Reality waits.
 
Daily Stoic:

I should not care about someone's title or position or family or other accidentals.  I should care about what kind of person they are . . . or who they may become.

In other places, Seneca tells us not to associate with those of unworthy character.  There is no contradiction here because there is a difference between (a) those who have had the chance to become better and steadfastly chosen to remain upon the path to personal prickdom and (b) those who are either too young or too inexperienced to know better or those who have made mistakes but want to learn from them and be a better person.

If someone is less than perfect, inviting them to my table can be a good thing in many ways.

At the very least, I should be able to set a good example for them.  (If I'm practicing my Stoicism properly, how could I not?)  By asking them to join me, I am giving them a chance to explore better options, giving myself a chance to practice what I preach, and doing what I can to serve the community by reducing, even if just slightly, the amount of assholishness in the neighborhood.

I also get the chance to compare their behavior to my own, looking for ways in which I might also be acting unvirtuously.

I must choose my companions wisely.  That includes giving those who deserve it a second chance and helping as best I can their journey to becoming a better person.

Today's Meditation:

Today's Meditation II:

Today's Mediation III:

Robert M. Pirsig, ZAAM, Ch. 5