Aga Aquino

I would like a longer title, but this should suffice. Because the point is aretḗ, as the ancient people say, but is roughly translated to the expression of excellence.

I have been contemplating this idea for years, ever since my studies on Stoicism began. But I have never really practiced it completely. I would like to believe that I attempted to seek it, applying virtue as the stoics say, and what this blog is all about, not just describing what a good man, but rather being it.

But what is excellence? And how is it expressed?

In the years, I have tried to practice what the stoics considered virtuous. As such, I try not to be quick to anger, to seek simple pleasures, to know what is enough and avoid excess. There would be a lot more to this, but as I think about who I am and what I have done, I have to consider: what have I truly accomplished?

Am I what I would consider a good man?

The standards for excellence are sometimes hard to define, as in the context of certain situations, I could not possibly know what is best, nor how to achieve the best result.

Consider how one should help others.

If a friend needs help, the good man would help without expecting anything in return.

But is this true in all cases? I would argue no, there are nuances to also consider. Magnanimity is often abused, offer a finger, but an arm is taken. To what extent then should a good man help? How much help is enough for one to consider themselves a good man?

I look back to my past, and have found myself abused by those needing help and when I set my boundaries, I would be discarded as no longer useful. So what is the value of being a good man?

Offering kindness is reciprocated with abuse, generosity drained by avarice, patience with intractability.

We live in a world where people simply take advantage of those seeking to make it better, and there is no incentive to pursuing excellence?

But is that the point?

Should I pursue being a good man regardless of how the world is? Ghandi did say, be the change you want to see in the world.

I wonder if the pursuit of excellence is not for my benefit but the benefit of other people? I am kind so that others learn to be kind. Likewise, I am generous so that others learn to be generous. I am patient so that others learn to be patient.

I have been looking at the Stoic goal of aretḗ in the wrong way for so long, that I have forgotten that I am not seeking excellence for any reward, as being a good man is the point. How the world reacts to it is out of my control.

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