The Kind of Opportunity You Should Always Say Yes To
Jan 13, 2020
Explore the Stoic view on travel, where escapism is frowned upon in favor of purposeful exploration. The podcast highlights historical figures like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, emphasizing that true retreats come from introspection, not constant movement. Travel isn’t just about sights; it can be a journey of personal growth and learning. Join in as the discussion unveils how these ancient philosophers balanced their worldly experiences with a commitment to deeper understanding.
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Stoic View on Escapism vs. Purposeful Travel
While Stoics opposed escapism through leisure travel, they valued travel for duty or learning.
True retreat is found by looking inward, not by chasing external distractions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Stoics and Travel
Stoics like Cato, Cicero, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius traveled extensively, often as part of their duties.
Marcus Aurelius, for example, traveled to distant Roman fortresses.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Embrace Travel Opportunities
Embrace travel opportunities to explore new places and perspectives.
Balance this with your responsibilities and avoid using travel as an excuse for bad habits.
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Marcus Aurelius and Seneca both made no secret of their objection to escapism. They both spoke negatively of people who frittered their existence away, chasing one tourist destination after another. Seneca likened these folks to someone tossing and turning in bed, just trying to get comfortable. Meanwhile, they were sleeping their lives away. The only real retreat could be found by looking inward, Marcus said, by escaping into your own soul.
So you might think that the Stoics were homebodies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cato visited countless places across the vast expanse of the Roman empire. So did Panaetius and Cicero and Seneca. Marcus Aurelius traveled as far as Budapest, some 750 miles from Rome. When he said he was a citizen of the world, he meant it—for he had seen large swaths of it. It can hardly be said that he or any of the Stoics were overly inclined to stick close to home.
However, what the travels of all those Stoics tended to have in common is that they were mostly done as part of their official duties. Cato traveled to visit philosophers under whom he wanted to study. Cicero traveled for official postings in distant lands. “Life is warfare and a journey far from home,” Marcus wrote, likely from Carnuntum, a distant Roman fortress near the borders of present-day Austria and Slovakia. Unlike his stepfather Antoninus, who never left Italy, Marcus Aurelius was on the road a lot as Emperor. Although it wasn’t always pleasant, it undoubtedly influenced his philosophy and his world view. He could have sent someone else to inspect the troops on his behalf, but he chose to go. He almost always said “Yes” to the opportunity to explore and see places he hadn’t been to.
And so should you. Even if it’s only a trip to Akron or Tampa. Even if it means a multi-leg flight in coach. There is beauty everywhere. Things to learn everywhere. New perspectives everywhere. History everywhere. If the calls of duty and the road converge, count yourself lucky and go.
Like everything within Stoicism, balance and moderation remain key. Don’t ditch your family for the chance to attend an unnecessary conference in Vegas. Don’t neglect your work just because someone is offering you a companion ticket to who knows where. Don’t use traveling as an excuse to indulge bad habits or disrupt your daily rituals. But the world is an incredible place, and we have only a short term here, so when you get the chance to explore, take it!
The Daily Stoic