The compassion of the Stoic
March 6, 2008“The sage will not feel pity, because he cannot feel it without himself being in a pitiful state of mind; but everything else that is done by those who do indulge in that emotion will also be done by him – and this readily and high-mindedly. He will succour a sorrowful neighbour without joining in his grief. He will give a helping hand to the castaway, hospitality to the exile, alms to the destitute. … He will allow a mother’s tears to purchase the freedom of her son, will release the prisoner from his chains and the gladiator from his barracks, and will even give burial to the criminal’s corpse. But he will do all this without any mental agitation or any change of countenance” (Seneca: De Clementia, Book II, chap. 6, §§ 1-2).
Translator not stated; perhaps Toynbee.
A Study of History, Vol VI, OUP, 1939 (footnote)
March 6, 2008 at 2:16 am
A Stoic does not express shock. He avoids expressing opinions.
Toynbee quotes Epictetus in another footnote in this passage: “‘I do not say that it is inadmissible to groan; the point is that the groan must not come from the heart’ (Epictetus: Dissertationes, Book I, chap. 18, § 19).”
This precept is given apropos of physical pain suffered by oneself, but has a wider application.
Taoism is surely close to Stoicism.