"You can gain an idea of the nature of the things that pass for good amongst the mass of people from the following observations. If a person were to conceive the existence of genuine goods, like wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage, he would not be able, with the idea of these in his mind, to listen any longer to the old verses about the man who is ‘so well endowed with good things’; for it would be quite inappropriate. But if, on the contrary, he first pictures in his mind the things that appear good to the mass of people, he will lend a willing ear to the saying from the comic poets and readily accept it as a fitting remark. In this way we see that even the average person feels the difference, otherwise the joke would not cause offence and be repudiated in the first case, and yet, when applied to wealth and the blessings associated with luxury and fame, be accepted as a telling and witty observation. Go on, then, and ask whether we should prize and accept as good those things with regard to which, when we have formed an idea of them in our mind, we could fittingly remark of their possessor that because he is so richly endowed with them, ‘he has nowhere left to him where he can shit.'"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book V

Marcus Aurelius, in his poignant observations, confronts us with a stark critique of our societal norms. He calls into question our constant pursuit of what is conventionally perceived as 'good', such as wealth and fame, highlighting their potential to crowd and complicate our lives to the point of absurdity, as depicted by his provocative metaphor.

This insightful commentary from one of the most revered Stoic philosophers implores us to recalibrate our value systems. When we accumulate wealth and status, we often realize that these so-called 'goods' don't necessarily bring us the fulfillment or happiness we initially anticipated. It's a sobering realization that what we've strived for might not be what we truly need or even want.

Instead, Aurelius urges us to value virtues like wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage. These are the true goods that don't crowd our lives but enrich them, offering no space for regret, only growth.

In essence, we are called to reorient our focus. We should not strive for wealth and the illusory 'goods' that could leave us metaphorically with "nowhere left to...shit", but instead seek to cultivate and embody virtues. Keep your lives simple, your hearts rich, and your values intact. This is a gentle reminder to embrace a less materialistic existence and to seek true wealth in wisdom and virtue.

For centuries, people have assumed that wealth would be a wonderful cure-all for their unhappiness or problems. Why else would they have worked so hard for it? But when people actually acquired the money and status they craved, they discovered it wasn’t quite what they had hoped. The same is true of so many things we covet without really thinking.

On the other hand, the “good” that the Stoics advocate is simpler and more straightforward: wisdom, self-control, justice, courage. No one who achieves these quiet virtues experiences buyer’s remorse.

Fill your life not with ill-conceived goods like wealth that won't leave you with a place to shit, but with the virtues. Stay poor, friends. This has been your daily reminder to embrace poverty.

Today's post reminds me of one of my favorite Diogenes of Sinope Anecdotes:

"While being received in the house of a man who had devoted considerable care to his many possessions, while leaving only himself in utter neglect, Diogenes cleared his throat and looked around him, but instead of choosing any nearby spot, spat directly at the master of the house. And when the man grew angry and asked why he had done that, he said that he could see nothing in the house that had been so neglected as its owner. For every wall was adorned with wonderful paintings, and there were images of the gods on the floor portrayed in magnificent mosaics, and all the furniture was bright and clean, and the coverings and couches were beautifully adorned, leaving their owner as the sole thing there that could be seen to have been neglected; and it is the universal custom in human society to spit in the worst available place."
- Galen, Protreptic 8

Stay poor, friends. Make sure you don't grow deserving of such an occurrence.

As a nice reprieve from the toxic modern world here is a nice painting of a wholesome heterosexual duck family.

Notice how the drake (male duck) stands tall and proud as a watchful sentry over his family, ever alert for danger, whilst the mother duck tends to her ducklings, confident that their father will neither became lazy in his duties or abandon his post.

"Freedom isn’t secured by filling up on your heart’s desire but by removing your desire."
- Epictetus, Discourses

There are two ways to be truly wealthy: to get everything you want or to limit your want to what you already have. Which is the more reasonable aim?

Stay poor, friends. This has been your daily reminder to embrace poverty

At several points in Discourses, Epictetus goes on about how poverty isn't a bad thing, that you need not be afraid of it, that you might be called on by God to play the role of the sick or the poor and that you ought to embrace that role if called upon to do so:

"I wish to be found practicing these things that I may be able to say to God, 'Have I in any respect transgressed thy commands? have I in any respect wrongly used the powers which Thou gavest me? have I misused my perceptions or my preconceptions? have I ever blamed Thee? have I ever found fault with Thy administration? I have been sick, because it was Thy will, and so have others, but I was content to be sick. I have lived in poverty because it was Thy will, but I was content also. I have not filled a magisterial office, because it was not Thy pleasure that I should: I have never desired it. Hast Thou ever seen me for this reason discontented? have I not always approached Thee with a cheerful countenance, ready to do Thy commands and to obey Thy signals? Is it now Thy will that I should depart from the assemblage of men? I depart. I give Thee all thanks that Thou hast allowed me to join in this Thy assemblage of men and to see Thy works, and to comprehend this Thy administration.'"

Breathe in simplicity, breathe out excess, and delve into today's The Daily Poor.

Today's quotation comes from Seneca's Consolation to Helvia.

“Nothing can satisfy greed, but even a small measure satisfies nature. So it is that the poverty of an exile brings no misfortune, for no place of exile is so barren as not to produce ample support for a person.”

This wise quotation urges us to reconsider our understanding of poverty, framing it not as a condition of destitution, but as an invitation to embrace a simpler, more natural way of living.

Greed, a bottomless pit, often leaves us in a state of eternal dissatisfaction, relentlessly craving more. Conversely, nature thrives on balance, teaching us that even modest measures can suffice. In shedding our obsession with excess, we may find a surprising level of fulfilment and contentment.

In reframing poverty as living simply and within our means, this perspective disentangles poverty from misfortune. Even in the seemingly barren places of life, nature provides ample support. Here, the focus shifts from lack to abundance, recognizing the richness found in simple necessities.

Embracing poverty allows us to shed the unnecessary complexities and embrace a lifestyle more attuned to our fundamental needs. This is a call to find fulfilment not in more, but in less.

Stay poor, friends. This has been your daily reminder to embrace poverty.

I'm thinking maybe this guy might value money just a bit too much.

"Remember that I have given you poverty as the principle that should govern your entire life, and therefore endeavour neither to lay that principle aside of your own accord, nor to allow it to be taken away from you by anyone else. For it is not improbable that the Thebans will surround you again and accuse you of being unhappy. But you for your part should regard your rough cloak as a lion’s skin, and your stick as a club, and your knapsack as being the land and sea from which you gain your sustenance; for in that way the spirit of Heracles should rise up within you, giving you the power to rise above every adversity. Now if you have any lupin seeds or dried figs left over, be sure to send some to me."

- Diogenes of Sinope, Letter to Crates

Stay poor, friends. This has been your daily reminder to embrace poverty

"These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraph and kerosene and coal stoves—they're good things to have but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em." – said by Pa in Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter

Remember the time Pa Ingalls from the Little House series complained people are too dependent on modern technology and it’s making them weak? 😂

I've Got the Simple Things ii

Reason to follow The Daily Poor: so this technique won't work on you.

Stay poor, bröthers