“But what is philosophy? Doesn’t it simply mean preparing ourselves for what may come? Don’t you understand that really amounts to saying that if I would so prepare myself to endure, then let anything happen that will? Otherwise, it would be like the boxer exiting the ring because he took some punches. Actually, you can leave the boxing ring without consequence, but what advantage would come from abandoning the pursuit of wisdom? So, what should each of us say to every trial we face? This is what I’ve trained for, for this is my discipline!”
EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.10.6-7
Shit is going to get real. Life is hard, and you’re going to have to take your lumps.
But that’s what you’ve been training for, isn’t it? You didn’t just decide to read The Daily Stoic for fun — you’re reading it because you want to get stronger, wiser, more knowledgeable. Why would you study the philosophers of old only to give up when the going gets tough? Of course it’s going to get tough — this is the fight of your life, after all.
You could give up, but then what was the point of all that training? Why would you strive so hard to gain wisdom only to abandon it when you need it most?
When life gets hard, you get harder! Take your lumps, and apply what you’ve learned. Use the wisdom you’ve gained and put it into action. Take those punches — and punch back harder.
