“Zeno would also say that nothing is more hostile to a firm grasp on knowledge than self-deception.” Diogenes Laertius Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, 7.23

The trump’s self-deception is now going to be practiced for an entire country, hence starting with “alternative facts”.

“Whenever you find yourself blaming providence, turn it around in your mind and you will see that what has happened is in keeping with reason” Epictetus, Discourses, 3.17.1

The trump  and his presidency is keeping with reason. The universe has a vicious sense of humor.

“Whenever someone has done wrong by you, immediately consider what notion of good or evil they had in doing it. For when you see that, you’ll feel compassion, instead of astonishment or rage. For you may yourself have some notions of good and evil, or similar ones, in which case you’ll make an allowance for what they’ve done. But if you no longer hold the same notions, you’ll be more readily gracious for their error.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.26

The trumps ban on Muslims entering the USA from 7 countries. He thinks he is doing the right thing even though this country was founded for one of the  reasons being freedom of religion. The people that want to buy into this bullshit are welcome to it. Sorry Marcus I choose not to be gracious and will call bullshit when I see bullshit.

“The unrestricted person, who has in hand what they will in all events, is free. But anyone who can be restricted, coerced, or pushed into something against what they will is a slave.” Epictetus, Discourses, 4.1.128b-129a

Hence “The Women’s March” 1-21-2017

“We can remove most sins if we have a witness standing by as we are about to go wrong. The soul should have someone it can respect, by whose example it can make its inner sanctum more inviolable. Happy is the person who can improve others, not only when present, but even when in their thoughts!” Seneca, Moral Letters,11.9

Who is the trump’s witness to correct him when he is wrong? I think no one!

“If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled–have you no shame in that?” Epictetus, Enchiridion,28

Control your mind from the onslaught of lies coming from the trump.

“Heraclitus called self-deception an awful disease and eyesight a lying sense” Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, 9.7

TRUTH versus the trump

“In public avoid talking often and excessively about your accomplishments and dangers, for however much you enjoy recounting your dangers, it’s not so pleasant for others to hear about your affairs.” Epictetus, Enchiridion, 33.14

First day in office two outright lies that can be proven without a doubt as what they are,lies. So how are countries going to feel about dealing with the trump in negotiations? The size of the crowd at his inauguration are his number one priority the day after being sworn in. All the problems we are facing and this is what he rants about. We are in fucking trouble.

“So, concerning the things we pursue, and for which we vigorously exert ourselves, we owe this consideration–either there is nothing useful in them, or most aren’t useful. Some of them are superfluous, while others aren’t worth that much. But we don’t discern this and see them as free, when they cost us dearly.” Seneca, Moral Letters, 42.6

What cost us dearly today is the United States of America.

“The person is free who lives as they wish, neither compelled, not hindered, nor limited–whose choices aren’t hampered, whose desires succeed, and who don’t fall into what repels them. Who wishes to live in deception–tripped up, mistaken, undisciplined, complaining, in a rut? No one. These are base people who don’t live as they wish, and so, no base person is free.” Epictetus, Discourses, 4.1.1-3a

Who wishes to live in deception, the trump is that base person. That is what we are getting tomorrow. The bile in my stomach is churning, time to get in the stoic training.