Epicurus and Elections
If I let electoral results upset me, I would be miserable all the time. No matter who wins, I lose, because I am light-years away from the views of virtually all electable politicians.
Fortunately, I long ago achieved philosophical detachment. I always expect to lose, so continued defeat does not disappoint me. Indeed, every election reminds me of the wisdom of Epicurus:
He who desires to live in tranquility with nothing to fear from other men ought to make friends. Those of whom he cannot make friends, he should at least avoid rendering enemies; and if that is not in his power, he should, as much as possible, avoid all dealings with them, and keep them aloof, insofar as it is in his interest to do so.
And this election, I’m even inclined to tempt fate and ask “How could things possibly get any worse?” But though I’m open to bets, I’ll resist this temptation – and keep tending my garden.
The post appeared first on Econlib.
If you had to "hold your nose while voting," DON'T LET GO of your nose just because you finished voting.
Good you align with Epicurus, Bryan; and as a Voluntaryist I consider him to be Free Friend of mine too.
Some quotes to add to yours:
“Most men are in a coma when they are at rest and mad when they act.”
“I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.”
“Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship.” Epicurus
Oh yes, there is good old P.J. O’Rouke “Don't Vote, it Just Encourages the Bastards”
And I would add a favorite Voluntaryist scholar Robert Higgs on the whole notion of government from dictatorships (caged chickens) to democracies (free range), the answer is to Leave The Farm (pace, Stefan Molyneux):
“If anarchists are idealists, they may simply be likened to someone who finds himself swimming in the cesspool and, rather than paddling about looking for the area with the least amount of floating feces, seeks to climb out of the pool completely. When you are presented with a choice between two evils, do not choose the lesser. Choose the exit.”
Btw, etymology shows “friend” and “free” to have the same PIE root which means “to love”—the development being only free persons can choose those to love outside of the evolutionary authoritarian structure of the collective family/clan one is born into.
Get free, then stay free with friends.