Chinese Curses And Happiness

brunians at brunians.org · 13 Apr 2007, 18:59 · from 2007-April.txt.gz

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From: brunians at brunians.org (brunians at brunians.org)
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:59:07 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: (urth) Chinese Curses And Happiness
In-Reply-To: <38319.62844.qm at web32402.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
References: <38319.62844.qm at web32402.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <15938.67.142.130.11.1176490747.squirrel at brunians.org>

Don writes:
> --- brunians at brunians.org wrote:

>> The full curse is 'May you live in interesting times
>> and come to the attention of influential people.'

> Ah. Thank you, Josh. That's a nasty curse in any
> culture.

>> The Stoic philosophy (and also Buddhism,
>> coincidentally or not) both teach how to
>> be happy no matter how interesting your times
>> or personal situation.

> I was under the impression that happiness was
> inconsequential to both philosophies. Rather they
> teach one to endure such times and situations with
> equanimity.

Stoicism definitely claims to teach happiness, and also freedom.

Buddhism, well, the Dalai Lama has gone on record as saying that the goal
of Buddhism is to be happy. I suppose I shall take his word for it.

> But I digress as well.

At the risk of an overwhelming chorus of 'Amens', I pray: May the hour of
my silence return!




















But not too soon, please God.







.

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