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.