Gaius Musonius Rufus Quotes Page 2

“Thus it appears that exile helps, rather than hinders body and spirit, by treating them better than they treat themselves.”

“To accept injury without a spirit of savage resentment-to show ourselves merciful toward those who wrong us-being a source of good hope to them-is characteristic of a benevolent and civilized way of life.”

“To help us to cheerfully endure those hardships which we may expect to suffer because of virtue and goodness, it is useful to recall what hardships people will endure for immoral reasons.
Consider what lustful lovers undergo for the sake of evil desires-and how much exertion others expend for the sake of profit – how much suffering pursuing fame - bear in mind that they all submit to all kinds of toil and hardship voluntarily.
It’s monstrous that they endure such things for no honourable reward, yet for the sake of the good (not only the avoidance of evil that wrecks our lives-also the gain of virtue) we're not ready to bear the slightest hardship.”

“To many people, even to most, despite living safely in their home city, fear of what seem to them the dire consequences of free speech is present.
The courageous, in exile or at home, is fearless in the face of all such threats; for that reason they've the courage to say what they think equally at home or in exile.”

“To relax the mind is to lose it.”

“We begin to lose our hesitation to do immoral things when we lose our hesitation to speak of them.”

“Wealth is able to buy the pleasures of eating, drinking and other sensual pursuits-yet can never afford a cheerful spirit or freedom from sorrow.”

“What good are gilded rooms or precious stones-fitted on the floor, inlaid in the walls, carried from great distances at the greatest expense? These things are pointless and unnecessary-without them isn’t it possible to live healthy? Aren’t they the source of constant trouble? Don’t they cost vast sums of money that, through public and private charity, may have benefited many?”

“Whoever destroys human marriage destroys the home, the city – the whole human race.”

“Why do we criticize tyrants, when in fact we are much worse than they are? We have the same inclinations as they do; we just lack opportunities to act on them.”

“Humanity must seek what is not simple and obvious using the simple and obvious.”

“Most of all, teachers shouldn't only be speakers of helpful words, but their actions should be consistent with them. The pupil's duty is to attend pro-actively to what is said, and to be on guard in case they accept something false without thinking.”

“You will earn the respect of all if you begin by earning the respect of yourself. Don't expect to encourage good deeds in people conscious of your own misdeeds.”

“Indeed, how could exile be an obstacle to person’s own cultivation, or to attaining virtue when no one has ever been cut off from learning or practicing what is needed by exile?”

“Only by exhibiting actions in harmony with the sound words which he has received will anyone be helped by philosophy.”

“Virtue is not simply theoretical knowledge, but it is practical application as well. So a man who wishes to become good not only must be thoroughly familiar with the precepts which are conducive to virtue but must also be earnest and zealous in applying these principles.”