Act with reservation
Sometimes we fail when we try to offer help. This can take a toll on us. Darnell has been politically active, working toward police accountability in his community. If it weren’t for his dedication to the issue, he would have quit by now. He’s talked to local politicians, organized a local activist group, and published a few op-ed pieces on the subject. But he still hasn’t seen significant movement. Though the Stoics realized that much of the world isn’t in our complete control, it didn’t stop them from trying to improve the world. How do Stoics act for the greater good despite setbacks?
"It was, I imagine, following out this principle that Democritus taught that ‘he who would live at peace must not do much business either public or private,’ referring of course to unnecessary business. For if there be any necessity for it, we ought to transact not only much but endless business, both public and private; in cases, however, where no solemn duty invites us to act, we had better keep ourselves quiet, for he who does many things often puts himself in Fortune’s power, and it is safest not to tempt her often, but always to remember her existence, and never to promise oneself anything on her security. I will set sail unless anything happens to prevent me; I shall be praetor [magistrate], if nothing hinders me; my financial operations will succeed, unless anything goes wrong with them. This is why we say that nothing befalls the wise man which he did not expect. We do not make him exempt from the chances of human life, but from its mistakes, nor does everything happen to him as he wished it would, but as he thought it would. Now his first thought was that his purpose might meet with some resistance, and the pain of disappointed wishes must affect a man’s mind less severely if he has not been at all events confident of success.”
Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, 13
Stoic philosophy adds a sense of urgency to our lives, of spending our time and resources on things that are important, because life is finite and we don’t know when it will be over. Seneca introduces the Stoic idea that we should see to be involved with “necessary”
business—that is, with things that matter—that will make this world better for everyone. He advises us to focus on what matters and minimize the number of endeavors we pursue, because Fortuna will sometimes favor us, but at other times go against us. It’s better to focus on a smaller number of pursuits and to do our best with them than to scatter our efforts in many directions, each of which will be more haphazard and subject to chance.
The most important message comes in the central section of the quote, where Seneca gives a number of examples of activities to tackle, each followed by what is sometimes referred to as the “reserve clause,” which even some modern Stoics who are not inclined to a transcendental view of the world like to express as “fate permitting.” “Fate” here is not a divinity, nor the belief in the inevitability of things as we typically understand it in the modern day. The Stoic sense of “fate” is a catchy reminder that we control much less than we think we do. So I will make plans with my friends for dinner, fate permitting. I will go on a trip to Rome, fate permitting. I will volunteer for a political campaign that I hope will succeed, fate permitting.
Even wise people are subject to the vagaries of life. In order to blunt the pain of disappointment, they form reasoned opinions of what might happen and avoid wishful thinking. This ability helps cultivate an attitude of equanimity toward life. Darnell is obligated to do his best to further his political cause, if he truly believes his cause is virtuous. At the same time, he needs to understand the reality of the world and prepare for the most likely outcome. If he is wise and things don’t go his way, he’ll understand that it happens, and he can accept it and begin to think about what else he can do to make a difference.