S

June    3rd

IT  IS  WELL    TO  BE  FLEXIBLE

“He can’t   serve   in  the military?   Let him seek    public  office. Must    he  live    in  the private sector? Let

him be  a   spokesperson.   Is  he  condemned   to  silence?    Let him aid his fellow  citizens    by  silent

public  witness.    Is  it  dangerous   to  enter   the Forum?  Let him display himself,    in  private homes,  at

public  events  and gatherings, as  a   good    associate,  faithful    friend, and moderate    tablemate.  Has

he  lost    the duties  of  a   citizen?    Let him exercise    those   of  a   human   being.”

—SENECA,    ON  TRANQUILITY OF  MIND,   4.3

hortly before his death, as victory in the Civil War was finally within his grasp, Lincoln told a story
to an audience of generals and admirals about a man who had approached him for a high-ranking
government appointment. First, the man asked if he might be made a foreign minister. Upon being turned
down, the man asked for a more modest position. Upon being turned down again, he asked for a job as a
low-level customs officer. Finding he could not get even that, he finally just asked Lincoln for an old pair
of trousers. “Ah,” Lincoln laughed as he concluded the story, “it is well to be humble.”
This story embodies the flexibility and determination of Stoicism. If we can’t do this, then perhaps we
can try that. And if we can’t do that, then perhaps we can try some other thing. And if that thing is
impossible, there is always another. Even if that final thing is just being a good human being—we always
have some opportunity to practice our philosophy, to make some contribution.