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The Archer
An archer must know what he is to shoot at; then he must aim and guide the weapon with his skill. Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind.
So, first, thanks to the only reader (fellow Stoic philosopher William O. Stephens) who noted that I forgot to attribute Monday’s quote and left the filler text “by so and so!” As you might have guessed, if you noticed the gaff, I have a template prepared so I can take what I write offline and easily copy/paste it into my newsletter platform and not have to design everything from scratch 3x a week. Sorry for the slip. I’m just one simple non-sage. Forgive me.
Now, back to business!
Seneca is borrowing a bit from Cicero here, and both of them are borrowing from a much older idea. The archer image is everywhere in ancient ethics… but why?
The Stoic version goes something like this: We have two jobs when we shoot: (1) aim well and (2) make peace with the outcome of the shot before it is known. A sudden gust, a moving target, an obstacle we couldn't see, none of these are within our realm of choice and can ruin the placement of even the most well-aimed shot.
The novice archer conflates aim with outcome; they measure their skill by whether the arrow hits exactly where they aimed it. The Stoic archer knows better and instead measures their “skill” by the quality of the shot, not the outcome of it.
Applied practically to daily life:
If we work hard on a project, we can’t know whether it will succeed.
If we’re kind to someone, we can’t know whether they'll appreciate it.
If we can make the right calls, we can’t know whether their outcomes will vindicate us.
But by working hard, by being kind, and by endeavouring to make the right calls, we are acting well. It is in the aiming that our moral character resides, for how could it reside anywhere beyond our domain of choice?
Prepare, aim, draw with care, and release with intention. The rest has nothing to do with the quality of our character.
Today's suggestion: Think of something you’re currently anxious about the outcome of. Ask: "Have I done the part that's mine to do?" If yes, release the shot! If not, that's where the attention belongs until you feel that you’ve aimed appropriately.
Stay hungry. Stay wise. Eat brekkie.
