💀 Dying Every Day
The Dying Every Day series delivers guided Stoic meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage, and a journaling prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a ‘good’ life.
‘Let Silence Be the General Rule’
“I pray that you may get such control over yourself that your mind, now shaken by wandering thoughts, may finally come to rest and be steadfast…”
— Seneca, On Progress
Selected Passage
In this week’s Dying Every Day meditation, we’re exploring the art of saying what is necessary — through a selected passage from Epictetus.
Immediately prescribe some character and form to yourself, which you shall observe when you are alone and meet with others.
And let silence be the general rule, or let only what is necessary be said, and in few words. And rarely, and when the occasion calls, we shall say something, but about none of the common subjects, not about gladiators, nor horse races, nor athletes, nor about eating or drinking, which are the usual subjects; and especially not about men, as blaming them or praising them, or comparing them. If then you can bring over by your conversation, the conversation of your associates, to that which is proper, but if you should be confined to the company of strangers, be silent. …
If someone has reported to you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make any defense (answer) to what has been told you but reply, They did not know the rest of my faults, for they would not have mentioned these only. […]
+ Adapted from The Enchiridion (or Handbook)
Reflection Exercise
What does it mean to get control over oneself? Or, put another way, How do you define (or think about) self-discipline? It’s a consistent theme in Stoic philosophy. In today’s passage, Epictetus calls us to ‘let silence be the general rule.’ It sounds easy and relatively straightforward, but you may find it more challenging to implement than you think.
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Journaling Prompt
As a journaling prompt, consider reflecting on what it means to be self-disciplined. You might explore the role self-discipline plays in your philosophy of life. Ask yourself, “How would ‘letting silence be the general rule’ help me cultivate control over myself and my mind?”
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Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W.
P.S. New here? Catch up on previous volumes in the archive!