My Favorite Philosopher

[Wandering MGTOWParticipant 34]

My current go-to guy for philosophy is Epictetus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus

Subject to change without notice, of course. Moreover, I am not a strict follower of anybody. I do swap in thinking from other schools as it suits me.

[VileNordParticipant 766]

Thanks for the name, I had never heard of him. So many philosophers, so little time!

Lust for comfort suffocates the soul

[Wandering MGTOWParticipant 34]

I like the philosophers who use philosophy to live better lives. I avoid like doo-doo those who are all theory or word games.

[Wandering MGTOWParticipant 34]

I think my go-to guy Epictetus would approve of these (he has said something similar).

For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none;
If there be one, try to find it;
If there be none, never mind it.
–W.W. Bartley, American philosopher (1934 – 1990)

If there’s a remedy when trouble strikes,
What reason is there for dejection?
And if there is no help for it,
What use is there in being glum?
–Shantideva, Indian Buddhist scholar (8th-century)

[VileNordParticipant 766]

Reminds me of one of my favorites:

Lust for comfort suffocates the soul

[Wandering MGTOWParticipant 34]

Right back atcha! Here’s one of mine:

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll be happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. ~Socrates

[HeckleHawkParticipant 2]

Yeah, Epictetus is great. So are all the Stoic philosophers: Marcus Aurelius and Seneca are particularly notable.

I think Stoicism in its proper form is the most fundamentally male philosophy, seeing as it puts reason and nature over frivolous and unhelpful emotional concerns. It has specific practical applications, unlike other philosophies where people spend their time pondering idle theories. It’s something which can be used in everyday scenarios, even something as simple as waiting in line at the bank (If I feel bored at having to wait, I remind myself that I have no control over the situation, and that the line will move when it’s ready, completely independent of my feelings. Therefore, it’s pointless to feel bored or frustrated, because those feelings will have no affect on the outcome, so I might as well discard those emotions and stop letting the situation annoy me).

It is not the situation itself which bugs you, it is your reaction to the situation; a reaction which you can change. It sounds crazy at first, but you really can stop feeling a certain way – at will – given enough practice.

Everyone man should read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Seneca’s letters, and Epictetus’ Enchiridion, even people who usually have no time for philosophy.

[Anonymous 0]

Hi Brothers,

my favorite Philosopher from the ancient times is Seneca.
He did impress me since I heard about him at School, because I didn’t like School and an excerpt of Seneca was :

Non vitae, sed scholae discimus – We are learning for School, not for Life.
He said this because he was annoyed about the way how philosophy was teached in roman schools.

Me teachers always told us kids this excerpt but they invertet the sense and it became to a misquotation.

Non scholae, sed vitae discimus – We are learning for Life, not for School. I always had the feeling that Seneca is right not my teachers. Just one more reason not to like School, lol.

Seneca also wrote a book called On the shortness of Life , which I found will saying that life is long enough when you are doing the things you like and do it in a proper way, just like going your own way.

Another favorite Philosopher of mine from the newer age is Balthasar Gracia´n. He wrote amongst other things a Pocket-Oracle and art of Prudence. In this book are 300 short recommendations which i randomly reading. It is really Prudence.
CHEERS!!!

[John DoeParticipant 743]

“Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”

-Diogenes

[NewFunnyMoneyParticipant 54]

+ 1 for Socrates the father of antiestablishmentarianism.

+ 1 for Sun Tzu the original philoshical warrior.

[DeadlyillnessParticipant 1]

I’ve always liked Thoreau.
“the savage owns his shelter because it costs so little, while the civilized man hires his commonly because he cannot afford to own it;”
“Towers and temples are the luxury of princes. A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince. Genius is not a retainer to any emperor, nor its material silver, gold, or marble, except to trifling extent.”
“Many are concerned about the monuments of the West and the East,–to know who built them. For my part, I should like to know who in those days did not build them, –who were above such trifling.”
“I would say to my fellows, once and for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.”

[John DoeParticipant 743]

Diogenes

When scolded for masturbating in public, he said “<b>I wish it were as easy to banish hunger by rubbing my belly.</b>”

[IronSoldierParticipant 55]

Ha!  It seems Diogenes was the very man he spent so much time seeking!

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

I like the philosophy of Alfred E Newman  the goofy snagled toothed freckled faced kid with big ears from mad magazine who simply said “what? me, worry”

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[harpo-my-“SON”Participant 2410]

 

I was bound to be misunderstood, and I laugh at those who misunderstand me. Kind mockery at the well intentioned, but unfettered cruelty towards those would be prison guards of my creative possibilities. This so as to learn as much from misunderstanding as from understanding. Taking pleasure in worthy opponents and making language fluid and flowing like a river yet pointed and precise as a dagger. Contradicts the socialistic purpose of language and makes for a wonderful linguistic dance, A verbal martial art with constant parries that hone the weapon that is the two edged sword of my mouth.

[Author]

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