“The proper work of the mind is the exercise of choice, refusal, yearning….What then can pollute and clog the mind’s proper functioning? Nothing but its own corrupt decisions.”
–This quote is from Epictetus, a Greek philosopher who lived in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, in his work Discourses 4.11.6-7.
Let’s unpack some of these. According to Ryan Holiday in his book The Daily Stoic…
- Choice: we choose to do and think what is right.
- Refusal: we reject temptation.
- Yearning: we crave to become better.
These are not just tasks but the very essence of the human mind. We must perform these diligently, for anything less would be a form of ‘pollution or corruption’ to our minds. These principles are not just the fancy statements of a philosopher but a practical guide to a balanced and better life.
* …
Mark
Dr. Mark Edge
Author of Holy Chaos How To Walk with God in a Frenzied World
*Thanks, Grammarly, for your editorial insights