"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

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

"The good person is invincible because he never engages in any contest in which he is not superior. ‘If you want my land, take it; take my servants, take my public position, take my poor body. But you won’t cause my desires to fail to attain their end, or my aversions to fall into what they want to avoid.’ This is the only contest that he enters into, the one that is concerned with things that lie within the sphere of choice; so how can he be anything other than invincible?"

- Epictetus, Discourses

Epictetus, one of the most influential Stoic philosophers, presents us with a profound yet deeply paradoxical notion of invincibility in the aforementioned quote. The invincibility he describes doesn't stem from amassing worldly wealth, achieving power, or commanding respect from others. Rather, it is obtained through a deep understanding of one's desires and aversions, the mastery over our reactions, and the acknowledgment of our limitations in terms of what we can truly control.

Epictetus's invincible person is someone who is invulnerable because he only competes where he holds an unbeatable advantage - within his sphere of choice. This sphere comprises our thoughts, intentions, and reactions, over which we hold exclusive control. It doesn't matter if one loses their land, position, or even physical health; these losses do not impact their essential self, because they lie outside this sphere of choice.

This stoic teaching beckons us to challenge societal conventions and question our attachments to material possessions and status symbols. It reminds us that the pursuit of external wealth often comes at the cost of inner peace and self-sovereignty. In Epictetus's view, the true victor is not the one with the most resources, but the one with the fewest needs. He or she is one who has tamed their desires, managed their aversions, and located their happiness in their moral purpose and virtue.

As we step into another day, let's be reminded of Epictetus's invincible person. Let us strive to place our happiness and peace in things we can control, cultivating independence from fleeting external conditions.

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

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

"The fact is that the greatest crimes are caused by excess and not by necessity. Men do not become tyrants in order that they may not suffer cold." - Aristotle, Politics

In this profound excerpt from Aristotle's Politics, we glimpse an enduring truth about human nature and power dynamics. Aristotle poignantly posits that the most egregious transgressions spring not from necessity – from the fundamental struggle to survive – but from excess. In essence, it's the unchecked pursuit of more, the insatiable lust for power and wealth that distorts morality and gives birth to tyranny.

Drawing upon this wisdom, it's worth considering the value of living with less, a notion that seems to run counter to our culture's ceaseless drive for wealth accumulation. A meager income, often seen as a limitation, can in fact be a catalyst for creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience. It prompts us to appreciate the simple things in life and can lead to a more profound and enriching connection with the world around us.

It is important to consider that wealth, in excess, can sometimes cloud the clear-minded judgment that is required for ethical conduct. Throughout history, we've seen instances where individuals, blessed with an abundance of material riches, have strayed from the path of moral rectitude. The siren call of money and power often foster actions that compromise ethical conduct.

In an era where ostentatious wealth is often paraded without restraint, we should heed Aristotle's counsel about the perils of unbridled ambition and the ceaseless quest for material surplus. Choosing a more modest lifestyle often leads to a richer, more fulfilling existence – one that embraces humility, gratitude, and a spirit of service.

Stay poor, friends. This has been your daily reminder to embrace poverty. Rather than striving for excess, let's strive for contentment and find wealth in our relationships, our passions, and our shared humanity.

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

"Some one was praising luxury in Antisthenes's hearing, and he said, 'May the children of my enemies be luxurious.'"
- Diogenes Laertius, The Lives & Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, The Life of Antisthenes

Here, Antisthenes is challenging the common perception that luxury brings happiness. Instead, he implies that luxury is a curse, an enemy to a contented life. It reminds us to be cautious of falling into the trap of material want, to look beyond the lure of the material world, and to focus more on our internal and spiritual well-being.

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

I've Got the Simple Things iii

I hope my enemies' children eat luxurious soup:

Luxury soup

Chicken thighs are the poor man's chicken. Sauce is a hollandaise

Mathetes on Christians in ancient Greece