Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth, is unhappy.
— Seneca the younger, quoting Epicurus
Good afternoon comrades, I’m just finishing up a long-form biography of my go-to Stoic Philosopher, Epictetus. It’ll be available to read on my medium account this week. There was an anecdote which I left out that had captured my attention, it has a valuable lesson for us to think about.
Arrian, his student and the writer of the Discourses and Enchiridion tells the story in the Discourses that Epictetus clearly talked about during his lectures.
Something similar happened to me also the other day. I keep an iron lamp by the side of my household gods, and, on hearing a noise at the window, I ran down. I found that the lamp had been stolen. I reflected that the man who stole it was moved by no unreasonable motive. What then? To morrow, I say, you will find one of earthenware.
His iron lamp, which would have been quite expensive was taken from under his nose. As opposed to playing the victim, which he could have rightly done. He suggested getting an earthenware lamp, which is coarser than stoneware and porcelain (think of terracotta). For he felt for the thief’s motives, and not for his loss. Later Arrian writes;
That is why I lost my lamp, because in the matter of keeping awake the thief was better than I was. However, he bought a lamp for a very high price; for a lamp he became a thief, for a lamp he became faithless, for a lamp he became beast-like. This seemed to him to be profitable…
Epictetus shifts his perspective to what the thief gave up, all for a window side lamp. Something greater was a risk. To Epictetus the thief’s morals, principles and self worth was lost to this action.
After the death of Epictetus in around 135 A.D, the author and satirist Lucian gives an account that someone bought a lamp belonging to Epictetus worth 3000 Drachmas.
In The Ignorant Book Collector referring to Lucian;
I believe the man is still alive who paid 3000 drachmas for the earthenware lamp of Epictetus the Stoic. I suppose he thought he had only to read by the light of that lamp, and the wisdom of Epictetus would be communicated to him in his dreams, and he himself assume the likeness of that venerable sage.
Think of your Character
The question I pose to all of us is; what are we giving up in the pursuit of unnecessary pleasures, monetary gains, and selfish acts? We might not be thieves in the traditional meaning of the word, but what are robbing ourselves of? When I meet anyone, regardless of their social status or wealth, or how rich they appear. I take them at face value only on their character. How they react to the world around them, and treat others is far more significant than what they’ve been able to collate. It’s a notion that will balance the books of my life, and influence who I spend my time with.
The pre-socratic philosopher Heraclitus tell us that - our character will ultimately determine our fate. Let that sink in.
The thief in Epictetus’ lecture was envious of the lamp, perhaps keeping it for himself, or perhaps unfortunately desperate to make some money. Either way, he lost part of himself for a lamp and as Epictetus makes a mention of, his trust. Some of us in this world have to do what we must to survive and make ends meet.
There’s no shame in this, however, speaking mainly within the bounds of our western society which is too heavily focused on consumerism and materialistic attitudes. We should all consider the means of which we go about being thrown about by every little impulse and remember that a good character will ultimately determine our own fate in life.
The lamp, or lack thereof, offers us a timely, but cruel lesson. The old saying ‘you can’t take it with you’ comes to mind. From Stoic teachings the things you can afford and ultimately want, whilst nice to have or acquire, are only really borrowed (even if you own them) and are never truly yours. We learn to practice indifference to these trinkets in the long term. No, it’s not easy to grasp this concept. And yes, it’ll take some practice.
I’ll leave you with one of my favourite passages from the Enchiridion of Epictetus to ponder over, the quote goes further in talking about death, however we’ll leave that subject for another day.
With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed…
Memento mori,
Enda
Such awesome thinking, writing, teaching, yet again, Edna! Thank you!
Do you believe in giving people the respect of their position or station as a baseline?
Not looking for reasons to downgrade them, but rather letting their character speak for themselves.