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I have a copy on my nightstand that I read semi-frequently. It's interesting to keep in mind that he wrote them as a personal journal and never intended for his

I have a copy on my nightstand that I read semi-frequently. It's interesting to keep in mind that he wrote them as a personal journal and never intended for his writings to be read by a broader audience. He frequently chastises himself and one of my favorite reflections comes from the beginning of Book V. The translation from the OP isn't the best but it's all I have on hand: "In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present- I am rising to the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bed-clothes and keep myself warm?- But this is more pleasant.- Dost thou exist then to take thy pleasure, and not at all for action or exertion? Dost thou not see the little plants, the little birds, the ants, the spiders, the bees working together to put in order their several parts of the universe? And art thou unwilling to do the work of a human being, and dost thou not make haste to do that which is according to thy nature?- But it is necessary to take rest also.- It is necessary: however nature has fixed bounds to this too: she has fixed bounds both to eating and drinking, and yet thou goest beyond these bounds, beyond what is sufficient; yet in thy acts it is not so, but thou stoppest short of what thou canst do. So thou lovest not thyself, for if thou didst, thou wouldst love thy nature and her will."

jonstewart 12y ago
I, too, keep a copy on the nightstand. It's the stoic's bible.
- michaelsbradley 12y ago
  Those interested in Stoicism, and who are curious if and how its ideals might be "baptized" and employed in a Christian philosophy of life, ought to look into the writings of Fr. Alphonsus Rodriguez, who has been described by some as a "Christian Seneca": Practice of Perfection and Christian Virtues https://archive.org/details/PPCV-Manresa https://archive.org/details/PPCV-Manresa
  - Luc 12y ago
    I can see from your profile that it's your thing to pipe up with Christian literature at every occasion. Don't get the impression you are providing a wonderful service here; it's very annoying to see Christianity dragged into otherwise pleasant subjects.
    - michaelsbradley 12y ago
      I try to cheerfully bring Christ and the Christian Faith into every dimension of my life, public and private, because I believe it is a good thing to do, regardless of what others may think of me and my words and actions, or whatever consequences may ensue. Of course, I try to practice good manners in every circumstance and to give due regard to the Savior's words: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) I can hardly imagine a better "place" than HN to share, even in some small way, the light of the Crucified and Risen. Also, I'm passionate about software development and information technology, so the HN scene is a natural place for me to hang out and share my ideas and concerns, on a variety of topics.
      - Luc 12y ago
        Thread-shitting for Christ is not as awesome as you think it is. Doing this as a systematic project is bringing down the value of HN a tiny little bit with every one of your posts.
        michaelsbradley 12y ago
        One of the things people do when discussing HN topics is share other resources that they feel have some bearing on the topic at hand; it also seems to be a common practice to offer alternative perspectives, complementary ideas and criticisms related to the OP or comments on it. I do my best to make sure that all my comments, whatever their nature, follow that pattern. So, no, I'm not trolling, or "thread shitting", or anything along those lines. If I didn't think my comments were relevant in some way, I wouldn't make them -- that's just basic HN etiquette. If you don't like what I have to say or think I am in fact trolling, by all means downvote my comments. Also, if my comments really bother you, feel free to implement a little script that filters them from view. You could even make it general purpose, put it up on GitHub and submit it to HN.
joaorico 12y ago
I recommend Gregory Hays' new translation, without the 'thou's and 'dost's. http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Modern-Library-ebook/dp/B000FC1JAI http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Modern-Lib... "At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work–as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for–the things which I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm? - But it’s nicer here… So you were born to feel “nice?” Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? - But we have to sleep sometime… Agreed. But nature set a limit on that–as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota. You don't love yourself enough. Or you'd love your nature too, and what it demands of you. People who love what they do wear themselves down doing it, they even forget to wash or eat. Do you have less respect for your own nature than the engraver does for engraving, the dancer for the dance, the miser for money or the social climber for status? When they're really possessed by what they do, they'd rather stop eating and sleeping than give up practicing their arts."
- cm2012 12y ago
  I'd rather be comfortable. The life of animals in the wild is generally brutal and short - give me my blankets any day over some sense of duty.
  - aswanson 12y ago
    Staying under the blankets longer than required will shorten the journey even further. Perhaps, it might make it even more brutal.
  - joaorico 12y ago
    Nature and evolution provided us with a whole hierarchy of needs, and some people are no longer surrounded by predators and do have a reasonable social security net. A life under warm blankets? The last paragraph addresses the comfort need. "You don't love yourself enough" is somewhere midway in the hierarchy. Related pseudo-Einstein quote: "“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life. All that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”"

jonstewart 12y ago

I, too, keep a copy on the nightstand. It's the stoic's bible.

michaelsbradley 12y ago
Those interested in Stoicism, and who are curious if and how its ideals might be "baptized" and employed in a Christian philosophy of life, ought to look into the writings of Fr. Alphonsus Rodriguez, who has been described by some as a "Christian Seneca": Practice of Perfection and Christian Virtues https://archive.org/details/PPCV-Manresa https://archive.org/details/PPCV-Manresa
- Luc 12y ago
  I can see from your profile that it's your thing to pipe up with Christian literature at every occasion. Don't get the impression you are providing a wonderful service here; it's very annoying to see Christianity dragged into otherwise pleasant subjects.
  - michaelsbradley 12y ago
    I try to cheerfully bring Christ and the Christian Faith into every dimension of my life, public and private, because I believe it is a good thing to do, regardless of what others may think of me and my words and actions, or whatever consequences may ensue. Of course, I try to practice good manners in every circumstance and to give due regard to the Savior's words: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) I can hardly imagine a better "place" than HN to share, even in some small way, the light of the Crucified and Risen. Also, I'm passionate about software development and information technology, so the HN scene is a natural place for me to hang out and share my ideas and concerns, on a variety of topics.
    - Luc 12y ago
      Thread-shitting for Christ is not as awesome as you think it is. Doing this as a systematic project is bringing down the value of HN a tiny little bit with every one of your posts.
      - michaelsbradley 12y ago
        One of the things people do when discussing HN topics is share other resources that they feel have some bearing on the topic at hand; it also seems to be a common practice to offer alternative perspectives, complementary ideas and criticisms related to the OP or comments on it. I do my best to make sure that all my comments, whatever their nature, follow that pattern. So, no, I'm not trolling, or "thread shitting", or anything along those lines. If I didn't think my comments were relevant in some way, I wouldn't make them -- that's just basic HN etiquette. If you don't like what I have to say or think I am in fact trolling, by all means downvote my comments. Also, if my comments really bother you, feel free to implement a little script that filters them from view. You could even make it general purpose, put it up on GitHub and submit it to HN.

joaorico 12y ago

I recommend Gregory Hays' new translation, without the 'thou's and 'dost's. http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Modern-Library-ebook/dp/B000FC1JAI http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Modern-Lib... "At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work–as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for–the things which I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm? - But it’s nicer here… So you were born to feel “nice?” Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? - But we have to sleep sometime… Agreed. But nature set a limit on that–as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota. You don't love yourself enough. Or you'd love your nature too, and what it demands of you. People who love what they do wear themselves down doing it, they even forget to wash or eat. Do you have less respect for your own nature than the engraver does for engraving, the dancer for the dance, the miser for money or the social climber for status? When they're really possessed by what they do, they'd rather stop eating and sleeping than give up practicing their arts."

cm2012 12y ago
I'd rather be comfortable. The life of animals in the wild is generally brutal and short - give me my blankets any day over some sense of duty.
- aswanson 12y ago
  Staying under the blankets longer than required will shorten the journey even further. Perhaps, it might make it even more brutal.
- joaorico 12y ago
  Nature and evolution provided us with a whole hierarchy of needs, and some people are no longer surrounded by predators and do have a reasonable social security net. A life under warm blankets? The last paragraph addresses the comfort need. "You don't love yourself enough" is somewhere midway in the hierarchy. Related pseudo-Einstein quote: "“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life. All that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”"