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Comment by factsaresacred | Hacker News Reader

‘For such a small price, I buy tranquillity.’ Beautifully put.

The Penguin edition of fellow stoic Marcus Aurelius' Meditations is free on Amazon kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius-Wisehouse...

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You buy a piece of mind for yourself, but what about the rest of society? Would you let injustice be, or would you do something about it, not for a personal revenge, but as a mindful action?

Actually, that quote was the one sentence I didn't understand. Who's spilling the wine? And why does that buy tranquility? If you could help me that would be great :)

I read it as "instead of getting angry for losing a 20$ note, consider it the price you pay for tranquility".

Which maybe works for yourself, but most of my significant others of the past would just start complaining that I lost a 20$ bill.

Another Stoic tip:

Most people are annoying: educate them or just put up with them, there is no third option. Also, always remember you are equally annoying to at least some of them.

I prefer to consider the joy of finding money; when you lose it you've almost certainly given someone else that joy.

Better hope the finders don't apply the same logic, or they'll just feel your pain all over again.

Just like when things get stolen from my car, they're inevitably things that the thief might have needed more than me.

Don't cry over spilled milk (or oil). If someone steals your wine, get over it and continue with your life.

The one argument against is of course justice, that is, punishing cheaters in prisoner dilemmas, special and general prevention, etc.

However, the Stoic would advise to do the punishment (where appropriate and possible) without anger, but rather as one would punish a child that has transgressed - for the benefits arising from it.

Adversity provides the opportunity to practice tranquility. If you let go of the wine, you gain peace of mind in return.

I think the premise leading to the sentence is absurd: "And, if I pretended not to notice these slights, wasn’t I proving that I really was a disengaged, privileged oppressor?".

But the author is trying to reason with her anger in the face of perceived slights - verbalise it or hold it inside?

Epictetus suggests that small losses (of wine or of 'face') should simply be forgotten. They are sunk-costs whose expense has been incurred.

One need not pay more - in the form of one's tranquility or contentment - by dwelling on them.

I wish all the drivers of the world would take this philosophy to heart :)

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