THAT THOU SHALL DISDAIN HARDSHIPS | Rufus, Musonius, Yale University Press, p124.
This is a handy reprint of the teachings of Gaius Musonius Rufus, a late-period Stoic philosopher known mostly for being Epictetus’ teacher. His renown for right action even drew accolades from early Christian writers like Origen.
Some of his appeals are easy to dismiss with our modern sensibilities as excessive Puritanism (not cutting beards, avoiding spices, preferring the hard bed to the soft); yet, in total, reading his defense of a more Spartan lifestyle is compelling for its assistance in leading a life free of wantonness.
Regardless of the practicality of his specifics, reading Musonius, it is easier to see modern life with a better understanding of the corruption and decay wrought by our lavish decadence. This is not the theme nor aim of his teachings, just an all too obvious recognition. His lessons also taught the equality in spirit and purpose of both men and women, an uncommon outlook for his time.
Musonius preached the four cardinal Stoic virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. He notes, “Philosophy is nothing else than to search out by reason what is right and proper and by deeds put them into action.”
He addressed marriage, family, and child-rearing in a fashion unique amongst his contemporaries. He did not find the necessity of such bonds in their utility to the common good; although he acknowledged this, Musonius found merit inherent in their purpose. He spoke against abortion, practiced as a luxury of convenience.
His writings conclude with two dozen “fragments” that read as maximums. Such as: “It is not possible to live well today unless one thinks of it as his last.” Or, “One begins to lose his hesitation to do unseemly things when one loses his hesitation to speak of them.”
Musonius asks, “Shall we not be ready to endure hardship for the sake of complete happiness?” In his world - as in ours - hardship was the requisite sacrifice of good character.