The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual

by Ward Farnsworth

The Stoic therefore regards widespread approval of something as a bad sign. Human affairs are not so happily ordered that the better things are pleasing to the many; a proof of the worst choice is the crowd. Seneca, On the Happy Life 2.1 The judgments of common and ordinary people rarely hit the mark. And in my own time, I am much mistaken if the worst writings are not those that have won the greatest share of public approval. Montaigne, On Vanity (1580) The same goes for people. Mass popularity suggests a want of quality or integrity in whoever obtains it. It takes trickery to cultivate popular approval. You have to make yourself like them. . . . If I see you much acclaimed by the populace, if your entrances are greeted by the sound of cheers and applause (as we see given to actors), if the whole state, even the women and children, sing your praises – how can I help pitying you? For I know what road one must take to gain such popularity. Seneca, Epistles 29.11–12