What would the Stoics say about Las Vegas?

In Marguerite Yourcenar’s Memoirs of Hadrian, the emperor Hadrian writes to Marcus Aurelius that “overeating is a Roman vice.” He explains that far too many of his fellow citizens “poison themselves with spice” and drown their plates in rich sauces. The result? They overwhelm their palates—and themselves. By succumbing to excess, they lose the ability to appreciate things and throw themselves off keel.

To Hadrian, simple pleasures were better. He tells Marcus that “moderation has always been my delight.” And not just when it comes to dinner. Fitness, being in good fighting form to face the challenges of each day, was critical, yet working out to the point of fanaticism was a step too far. That means refraining from both indolence and overexertion, cutting the middle course between the two poles to find that Golden Mean where one is neither over nor underprepared, but simply ready.

So today and every day, remember the Stoic admonition to find the middle ground. Do not adhere to one extreme or the other; make temperance your goal in every part of your life, and your future self will thank you for it.

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00:00 intro
01:04 1. Find the right amount
01:52 2. Be prepared
02:48 3. Find peace within
03:53 4. Be tolerant with others
04:47 5. Don’t chase fame
06:16 6. Give yourself freedom
08:33 7. Stop wasting life
09:14 8. Humble yourself
10:15 9. The shame endures
11:09 10. Prepare for big moments
12:01 11. Little choices matter
12:45 12. Don’t take it too far

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