【每日斯多葛】7月28日

July 28th

CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE

“Some people are sharp and others dull; some are raised in a better environment, others in worse, the latter, having inferior habits and nurture, will require more by way of proof and careful instruction to master these teachings and to be formed by them—in the same way that bodies in a bad state must be given a great deal of care when perfect health is sought.”

—MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 1.1.33–1.3.1–3

At the end of a frustrating exchange, you might find yourself thinking, Ugh, this person is such an idiot. Or asking, Why can’t they just do things right?

But not everyone has had the advantages that you’ve had. That’s not to say that your own life has been easy—you just had a head start over some people. That’s why it is our duty to understand and be patient with others.

Philosophy is spiritual formation, care of the soul. Some need more care than others, just as some have a better metabolism or were born taller than others. The more forgiving and tolerant you can be of others—the more you can be aware of your various privileges and advantages—the more helpful and patient you will be.

7月28日

审视你的特权

“有些人聪慧，有些人迟钝；有些人在较好的环境中长大，有些人则在较差的环境中成长。后者由于养成了较差的习惯，也没有得到良好的教养，需要更多的论证和细致的指导，才能掌握这些教诲，并由这些教诲塑造成形——就像身体状况不佳的人，在追求完全健康时，必须得到大量照料一样。”

——穆索尼乌斯·鲁弗斯，《讲演录》，1.1.33–1.3.1–3

在一次令人沮丧的交流结束时，你可能会忍不住想：唉，这个人真是个白痴。或者问：他们为什么就不能把事情做好呢？

但并不是每个人都拥有过你所拥有的那些有利条件。这并不是说你自己的人生一直很容易——只不过与某些人相比，你起步更早、条件更好。正因为如此，理解他人并对他们保持耐心，是我们的职责。

哲学是对精神的塑造，是对灵魂的照料。有些人需要比其他人更多的照料，就像有些人的新陈代谢更好，或者天生比其他人更高一样。你越能宽恕和包容他人，越能意识到自己所拥有的各种特权和优势，就会越乐于帮助别人，也越有耐心。