Inner Contentment – Selections from “Morals” by Plutarch (vegetarian), Part 1 of 2

We now present selections from “Morals” by Plutarch (vegetarian), on how to deal with life’s challenges through sound reasoning, a positive mindset, and inner contentment.

ON CONTENTEDNESS OF MIND

“For how can riches, or fame, or power at court help us to ease of mind or a calm life, unless we enjoy them when present, but are not forever pining after them when absent? And what else causes this but the long exercise and practice of reason, which, when the unreasoning and emotional part of the soul breaks out of bounds, curbs it quickly, and does not allow it to be carried away headlong from its actual position?

And as Xenophon advised that we should remember and honor the gods most especially in prosperity, that so, when we should be in any strait, we might confidently call upon them as already our well-wishers and friends; so sensible men would do well before trouble comes to meditate on remedies how to bear it, that they may be the more efficacious from being ready for use long before. For as dogs are excited at every sound, and are only soothed by a familiar voice, so also it is not easy to quiet the wild passions of the soul, unless familiar and well-known arguments be at hand to check its excitement. […]”

“Such contentedness and change of view in regard to every kind of life does the infusion of reason bring about. When Alexander heard from Anaxarchus of the infinite number of worlds, he wept, and when his friends asked him what was the matter, he replied, ‘Is it not a matter for tears that, when the number of worlds is infinite, I have not conquered one?’ But Crates, who had only a wallet and threadbare cloak, passed all his life jesting and laughing as if at a festival. […]

And Socrates in prison played the philosopher and discoursed with His friends. But Phaëthon, when he got up to Heaven, wept because nobody gave to him his father’s horses and chariot. As therefore the shoe is shaped by the foot, and not the foot by the shoe, so does the disposition make the life similar to itself. For it is not, as one said, custom that makes the best life seem sweet to those that choose it, but it is sense that makes that very life at once the best and sweetest. Let us cleanse therefore the fountain of contentedness, which is within us, that so external things may turn out for our good, through our putting the best face on them.”