A quote I'm Thankful for - How to say thanksgiving in Latin - Los Angeles event
On the power of associations
Here's a passage from Plutarch I've been thankful for this week. I think it sums up why it's amazing to produce a show like the Cost of Glory for you, and to listen to other shows like it:
"I began the writing of my "Lives" for the sake of others, but I find that I am continuing the work and delighting in it now for my own sake also, using history as a mirror and endeavouring in a manner to fashion and adorn my life in conformity with the virtues therein depicted. For the result is like nothing else than daily living and associating together, when I receive and welcome each subject of my history in turn as my guest, so to speak, and observe carefully "how large he was and of what mien," and select from his career what is most important and most beautiful to know. "And oh! what greater joy than this canst thou obtain," and more efficacious for moral improvement?
...In my own case, the study of history and the familiarity with it which my writing produces enables me, since I always cherish in my soul the records of the noblest and most estimable characters, to repel and put far from me whatever base, malicious, or ignoble suggestion my enforced associations may intrude upon me, calmly and dispassionately turning my thoughts away from them to the fairest of my examples."
-Plutarch, Life of Timoleon
We often find it difficult to connect with people around us on a deeper level, and this is in part because it's hard to physically surround yourself with people you aspire to be like.
It's an ancient problem, and one Plutarch set out to solve with his Parallel Lives: great associations (even across time and the great barrier of death) balance out the negative toll taken on us by our "enforced associations" (read: people who are a net drain).
It's the old saying, you're the average of the 5 people you associate with the most. What if one of those is Sertorius? Agesilaus? Julius Caesar?
Speaking of associating with great people...
***ATTENTION***
If any of you great people live in or near the LA area, I'm going to be in town this coming week for an event. Justin Murphy of Other Life and I will be getting together on Friday Dec 1st in the afternoon for an informal meet up.
Let me know via email, alex@ancientlifecoach.com.
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Thanksgiving in Latin: supplicatio.
It's a day of thanksgiving to the Gods which the senate formally votes to a citizen for noble deeds on behalf of the state. Cicero got one voted to him on Dec 3, 63 BC after saving the Roman People from the Catilinarian conspiracy.
Stay Ancient,
Alex