Philosophy - Blythe McGarvie

Philosophies of Blythe

In today's world, it seems easy to vacillate between living a life like the Stoics or the Epicureans. I find myself choosing both philosophies. While it may seem contrary, it actually helps make the right choices for living well and continuing to learn and guide others.

Here are highlights of the core tenets of Epicureanism:

On Death and Fear

“Death is nothing to us, since when we are, death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.”
“The art of living well and the art of dying well are one.”

On Pleasure and Desire

“Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.”
“If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.”
“The summit of pleasure is the elimination of all that gives pain.”
“Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.”

Here are highlights of the core tenets of Stoicism:

Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe. – Mark Twain
Almost nothing material is needed for a happy life for the one who has understood existence. – Marcus Aurelius
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality – Seneca
No man is free who cannot control himself – Pythagoras
True happiness is to enjoy the present without anxious dependence upon the future. – Seneca
It may seem difficult, but all things are difficult at first – Miyamato Musashi
No amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that is going to happen. – Alan Watt
Everyone must choose one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. – Jim Roan.

Let these guide your decisions. Wisdom is useless if you don’t apply it. Each idea can change your life. (from the YouTube site a. Stoic. Life.)

What are your choices?

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Philosophies of Blythe

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