Speaking as an old Stoic, I am impressed that a young woman (Emily Brontë only lived 30 years) can meaningfully write on this topic. I used to have a copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius in my back pocket. He was the most powerful man in his world, but he scorned pleasure and comfort, taking joy in virtue and fortitude. He helped me through some hard times. Now I’m long past retirement, I find my joy in philosophical reading and thinking, and a simple life.
Many years ago a close friend I valued less than I should have sent me a quotation from Wordsworth as a goodbye:
“What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.”
How true. Even an old Stoic has regrets, but not for the loss of pleasures.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful Wordsworth passage. And thank you for sharing how Stoicism has helped you over the years. I'm no Stoic but there are aspects of the philosophy that speak to me. I thought Brontë captured its essence well. There's a beautiful, universal aspect to the poem as well, which I love.
Speaking as an old Stoic, I am impressed that a young woman (Emily Brontë only lived 30 years) can meaningfully write on this topic. I used to have a copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius in my back pocket. He was the most powerful man in his world, but he scorned pleasure and comfort, taking joy in virtue and fortitude. He helped me through some hard times. Now I’m long past retirement, I find my joy in philosophical reading and thinking, and a simple life.
Many years ago a close friend I valued less than I should have sent me a quotation from Wordsworth as a goodbye:
“What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.”
How true. Even an old Stoic has regrets, but not for the loss of pleasures.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful Wordsworth passage. And thank you for sharing how Stoicism has helped you over the years. I'm no Stoic but there are aspects of the philosophy that speak to me. I thought Brontë captured its essence well. There's a beautiful, universal aspect to the poem as well, which I love.
The poem reminds me of "Invictus," although briefer and less histrionic. Thank you for introducing it to me!
Invictus is one of my all time favorites! I definitely got that vibe from this poem as well ☺️
Loved this article. And the poem!
Such a good poem ☺️☺️☺️