Good day, Stoics.
Musonius Rufus was one of the great Stoic teachers and the mentor of Epictetus.
Unlike many philosophers of his day, he wasn’t interested in sounding impressive. He believed philosophy should change the way a person actually lives.
After being exiled by Emperor Nero, Musonius didn’t spend his time complaining about his circumstances.
Instead, he worked the land.
He farmed.
He taught.
He lived simply.
When people came to hear him speak, they didn’t just hear lectures about virtue. They saw someone living it. His life and his philosophy matched.
That’s one of the reasons he became so respected. Musonius believed philosophy wasn’t meant to make us sound wise. It was meant to make us live wisely.
It’s a good reminder that people are influenced far more by what we consistently do than by what we consistently say.
Stay steady.