Always The Same

[OldBillParticipant]

With all the sound and fury surrounding the election results, I thought I’d do my part to lessen the tumult. While I’m as happy as anyone here about Trump’s victory, I just want to put the happy shouting and wailing cries in perspective.

It’s moments like these that I look to Stoicism.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.32

“Think by way of example on the times of Vespasian, and you’ll see all these things: marrying, raising children, falling ill, dying, wars, holiday feasts, commerce, farming, flattering, pretending, suspecting, scheming, praying that others die, grumbling over one’s lot, falling in love, amassing fortunes, lusting after office and power. Now that life of theirs is dead and gone . . . the times of Trajan, again the same . . .”

As another author explains:

Hemingway opens his book “The Sun Also Rises” with a Bible verse: “One generation passeth, and another generation cometh; but the Earth abideth forever. The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and resteth to the place where he arose.” It was this passage, his editor would say, that “contained all the wisdom of the ancient world.”

And what wisdom is that? One of the most striking things about history is just how long human beings have been doing what they do. Though certain attitudes and practices have come and gone, what’s left are people – living, dying, loving, fighting, crying, laughing.

Breathless media reports or popular books often perpetuate the belief that we’ve reached the apex of humanity, or that this time, things “really are different”. The irony is that people have believed that for centuries.

Strong people resist this notion. They know that with few exceptions, things are the same they’ve always been and always will be. You’re just like the people who came before you, and you’re but a brief stopover until the people just like you who will come after. The Earth abides forever, but we will come and go.

Do not date. Do not impregnate. Do not co-habitate. Above all, do not marry. Reclaim and never again surrender your personal sovereignty.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

OldBill wrote:

It’s moments like these that I look to Stoicism.

Applying it starting tomorrow. For today, the last 24 hours have been hella good times.

I did arrive at a similar thought recently (as yours above) when I was looking at the chaos of the 1960s and 70s with Vietnam and Watergate….. the cold war & space race etc.

Anyone who thinks “those were the good ole days” when politicians were noble, prices were reasonable, and children respected their elders…. well, it has always been as it is today.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[sidecarParticipant 35862]

Keymaster wrote:

well, it has always been as it is today.

Except the cars were much cooler then.

Now:

Then:

Now:

Then:

Now:

Then:

I think that while we’re making America great again, we should also take some time to make cars great again.

[Greg HondaParticipant 6406]

Too true Sidecar.

I drive a Honda Jazz /Fitt because in these days of computer controlled everything I trust the Japanese to get the electrics right. But, home maintenence is a pain. I used to do all my own mechanical work on vehicles, and still do up to the point a laptop is needed, but it took me a whole hour just to change 4 plags on the Jazz. Should have been 15 minutes. If a sensor goes down I’m screwed as I don’t have the diagnostic software to locate the fault. I’m actually looking to get an older car next time. Something from the 90’s before Air Bags and sophisticated electrics. Some guys restore these old cars to better than new. Then I can drive happy knowing that I’m in controll and can fix everything.

Self Reliance is key.

It's Time to get Wise

[Maraudrz1Participant 2250]

I agree with you OldBill, but I wouldn’t trade today for 50 years ago. An observation I had was when hearing about the riots going on yesterday was that 4 and 8 years ago there was no rioting. Conservatives went on about their lives because they know everything you said in their hearts.

Women's brains and vagina have one thing in common. There is nothing in there until a man puts something in there.

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