A life of leisure
In times of the ancient Greeks some of the literate class would like to gather to feast and discuss great ponderous things, like: why is it smoke leaves wood when it burns, how do the smoke get in the wood, where does the smoke go now it’s left the wood, why it it the rivers flow into the oceans – but the oceans never fill up, what is it to be happy. These were the philosophers, those who love wisdom. These philosophers were engaging in a life of leisure – a life dedicated to self improvement. Now just pondering the metaphysical nature of Truth. But geometry and anatomy and things that matter. Also exercising, eating healthy and practicing temperance.
It was not the exclusive realm of the wealthy. Dioginies was a homeless bum who lived in a washtub begging to feed himself. But he was a highly respected philosopher.
Alexander the Great came to visit him:
“Standaside you’re blocking my sun.” Diogenes told Alexander
Alexander laughed and replied “If I were not Alexander I would want to be Diogenes.”
“If I were not Diogenes I too would want to be Diogenes.” Diogenes retorted cheekily.
It was restricted to the smart “Let no man ignorant of geometry enter here.” Plato dreamed of a world where the philosophers were in charge. Today our politicians, public servants and academics are all well versed in the Western Cannon. The philosopher is in powerful places keeping the ignorant in touch with reality.
But politics and academia are hardly leisurely pursuits, dam hard work in fact. But I had retirement thrust on me at thirty. I had much bigger plans for my life than to be on the pension at thirty I tell you! But I was told to treat it as a grant and I have done that and gone in the pursuit of self improvement; and I have improved.
My life of leisure is not a life of ease and luxury. I want for things working people take for granted. But I am in the top five percent of people in the world and I make good use of what I have been entrusted with. My life of measure serves me well.
Clown Artist Philosopher 