I

July 21st

MADE FOR WORKING TOGETHER

“Whenever you have trouble getting up in the morning, remind

yourself that you’ve been made by nature for the purpose of

working with others, whereas even unthinking animals share

sleeping. And it’s our own natural purpose that is more fitting and

more satisfying.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.12

f a dog spends all day in bed—your bed, most likely—that’s fine. It’s just
being a dog. It doesn’t have anywhere to be, no other obligation other
than being itself. According to the Stoics, we humans have a higher
obligation—not to the gods but to each other. What gets us out of bed each
morning—even when we fight it like Marcus did—is praxeis koinonikas
apodidonai (to render works held in common). Civilization and country are
great projects we build together and have been building together with our
ancestors for millennia. We are made for cooperation (synergia) with each
other.
So if you need an extra boost to get out of bed this morning, if you need
something more than caffeine can offer, use this. People are depending on
you. Your purpose is to help us render this great work together. And we’re
waiting and excited for you to show up.