Not even contempt,
nor even a compliment.
~
“Therefore, a wise person can't be harmed.
And don't be surprised that nobody can injure him; equally, no one can truly benefit him either.
A wise person needs nothing that could be given as a gift, and a malicious person has nothing valuable to offer; for they must own it to give it, and they own nothing a wise person would be happy to receive.
Consequently, nobody can harm or benefit a wise person because divine beings neither need assistance nor can be harmed; and a wise person is almost like a deity, just mortal. As they strive towards a higher, orderly life, without fear, in harmony, and aimed at benefiting humanity, they desire nor mourn nothing petty. Relying on logic, navigating life with a divine mindset, they're invulnerable. This isn't just about people; not even fate can touch them, for whenever it clashes with virtue, it's always virtue that prevails. Accepting life's ultimate challenge with calm, beyond which no threat or tyranny can reach, understanding that death isn't bad, and thus, not a harm, makes it easier to face losses, pain, disgrace, relocations, or separations. These don't overwhelm a wise person, let alone upset them individually. And if they can handle fortune's blows, the actions of powerful people, merely fortune's instruments, are even less significant.”
The Stoic is a being of such inner strength they seem untouchable, an almost divine figure, not because of their power over the world, but because of their unshakeable composure in the face of anything the world can throw at them. They need nothing that could be offered by another's hands. Whether it's help or harm, nothing from the outside can really touch them.
And why is that?
Because the wise covet nothing that can be given or taken away from them.
Their treasure,
is their inner peace,
their freedom,
their virtue
– things that no one can either gift or steal.
When you have reached a certain level of wisdom, you live almost like the gods. Imagine that: You go through life with such confidence and calm that neither desires nor worries or even slights can reach you. It's not about living without emotions, but about not letting these emotions overwhelm or control you.
The storms of life, the injustices, are just waves crashing against the solid rock of stoic wisdom.
They may make noise,
they may ripple a little,
but they cannot shake you.