Not death or hardship

| Quotations | 6 Comments

"For it is not death or hardship that is a fearful thing, but the fear of death and hardship."

- Epictetus.

6 Comments

This is exactly why it is so easy to control the masses. You would think with government policies benefiting so few and devastating so many that in a democracy the people would rise up and elect a government that served its best interests. I think the main reason it doesn't happen is that the powers that be have been able to manipulate people with fear. People don't realize that things are already worse than what they're being threatened with.

Yes that is a very good point, Indigo. However, a mass of people who are not easily influenced because they are not afraid of anything is perhaps also not the most optimal situation for running a government.

As in most issues, the golden mean is what we seek. Balance is actually the most difficult thing, to respond appropriately to whatever situation presents itself. That is the risky way because you can't forsee your next moves. There is not even the illusion of the ability to predict and thereby control the future. But in exchange for the illusion of control you get the genuine hope of creating optimal outcomes that exceed our limited human ability to plan systemwide social evolution.

You know, alot of so-called philosophers in the past have claimed that the middle path is the best one to follow. But is it really? Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if we just put all our faith in some chosen leader and do what we are told to do. That way you would not have to worry all the time and wonder if you were in fact still smack dab in the middle of the road or not.

You are kidding, right?

Would I ever kid anyone?

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This personal weblog was started way back on July 21, 2001 which means that it is 7-21-2001 old.

So far this blog contains no less than 2518 entries and as many as 1877 comments.

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Graduated from Stanford 6-5-1979 ago.

Kiffin Rockwell was shot down and killed 9-23-1916 ago.

Believe it or not but I am 10-11-1957 young.

First met Thea in Balestrand, Norway 6-14-1980 ago.

Began well-balanced and healthy life style 1-8-2013 ago.

My father passed away 10-20-2000 ago.

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Started Gishtech 04-25-2016 ago.