💀 Dying Every Day
The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt. These meditations are designed to help us reflect on what it means to live a good life.
Words Are Like Seeds
“That’s why the philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning but to add practice and then training. For as time passes, we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we should.” — Epictetus, Discourses
Selected Passage
In this week’s meditation, we explore the power of conversations through a selected passage from Seneca.
You are right when you urge us to increase our mutual traffic in letters. But the greatest benefit is to be derived from conversation because it creeps by degrees into the soul. … Of course, we must sometimes also make use of these lengthy speeches, if I may so call them, when a doubting member needs to be spurred on; but when the aim is to make a man learn and not merely to make him wish to learn, we must have recourse to the low-toned words of conversation. They enter more easily, and stick in the memory; for we do not need many words, but, rather, effective words.
Words should be scattered like seeds; no matter how small the seed may be, if it has once found favorable ground, it unfolds its strength and, from an insignificant thing, spreads to its greatest growth. Reason grows in the same way; it is not large to the outward view, but increases as it does its work. Few words are spoken, but if the mind has genuinely caught them, they come into their strength and spring up. Yes, precepts and seeds have the same quality; they produce much, and yet they are slight things. Only, as I said, let a favorable mind receive and assimilate them. … Farewell.
+ Adapted from On Quiet Conversation
Reflection Exercise
If words are like seeds, as Seneca suggested, it’s worth reflecting on our conversations (with ourselves and others). Seneca observes that conversations more easily ‘stick’ in our memory than lengthy lectures. Therefore, we should consider whether our conversations include things like gossip, judgments, unkind words, etc. If words are ‘scattered like seeds,’ as Seneca stressed, then it’s worth considering the types of seeds we are planting.
Journaling Prompt
Consider noticing or journaling on the topics of your conversations over the next few weeks. After you’ve had time to reflect, ask yourself, “Are my conversations (with myself and others) aligned with my philosophy of life?”
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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!