“Cato practiced the kind of public speech capable of moving the masses, believing proper political philosophy takes care like any great city to maintain the warlike element. But he was never seen practicing in front of others, and no one ever heard him rehearse a speech. When he was told the people blamed him for his silence, he replied, “Better they not blame my life. I begin to speak only when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid.” Plutarch, Cato the Younger, 4

Well I believe the trump would end his tweets if he would adhere to this advice.

“Remember that it’s not only the desire for wealth and position that debases and subjugates us, but also the desire for peace, leisure, travel, and learning. It doesn’t matter what the external thing is, the value we place on it subjugates us to another…where our heart is set, there our impediment lie.” Epictetus, Discourses,4.4.1-2-15

We are finding out what subjugates and debases the trump.

“Robbers, perverts , killers, and tyrants–gather for your inspection their so-called pleasures!” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.34

How long will it take the citizens to put up with the trump’s pleasures,  greed and corruption?

“Remember to conduct yourself in life as if at a banquet. As something being passed around comes to you, reach out your hand and take a moderate helping. Does it pass you by? Don’t stop it. It hasn’t yet come? Don’t burn in desire for it, but wait until it arrives in front of you. Act this way with children, a spouse, toward position, with wealth–one day it will make you worthy of a banquet with the gods.” Epictetus, Enchiridion, 15

The trump republicans didn’t wait for it to reach them but reached across the table and grabbed it out of the Office of Congressional Ethics hands, but the people slapped their hands and gave it back. One small victory. Republicans will never be worthy of a banquet with the gods.

“This is the true athlete-the person in rigorous training against false impressions. Remain firm, you who suffer, don’t be kidnapped by your impressions! The struggle is great, the task divine–to gain mastery, freedom, happiness, and tranquility.” Epictetus, Discourses, 2.18.27-28

Prepare for the coming storm, the trump. We have had ample warnings of what is coming.

“It is quite impossible to unite happiness with a yearning for what we don’t have.  Happiness has all that it wants, and resembling the well-fed, there shouldn’t be hunger or thirst.” Epictetus, Discourses, 3.24. 17

Enjoy the happiness today.

“If someone asks you how to write your name, would you bark out each letter? And if they get angry, would you then return the anger? Wouldn’t you rather gently spell out each letter for them? So then, remember in life that your duties are the sum of individual acts. Pay attention to each of these as you do your day…just methodically complete your task.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.26

Step back, breathe,and control your emotions. Pick the battles that are important not small skirmishes that do not effect your ultimate goal. The trump knows how to use smoke screens and misdirection.

“Clear your mind and get a hold on yourself and, as when awakened from sleep and realizing it was only a bad dream upsetting you, wake up and see that what’s there is like those dreams.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.31

Should I “give him a chance” instead of thinking in the future what havoc he will bring on the USA. How about I think of the negative and be prepared for anything.For me that works better.

“For to be wise is only one thing-to fix our attention on our intelligence, which guides all things everywhere.” Heraclitus, Quoted in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, 9.1

How about the trump voters try using their intelligence instead of emotions. Would that make them see exactly what he is? Maybe they are just lacking the intelligence thing.

“Whenever you get an impression of some pleasure, as with any impression, guard yourself from being carried away by it, let it await your action, give yourself a pause. After that, bring to mind both times, first when you have enjoyed the pleasure and later when  you will regret it and hate yourself. , Then compare to those the joy and satisfaction you’d feel for abstaining altogether, However, if a seemingly appropriate time arises to act on it, don’t be overcome by its comfort, pleasantness, and allure-but against all of this, how much better the consciousness of conquering it”Epictetus, Enchiridion,34

I wonder if the trump has much self control. Does he stop and weigh his actions before acting? “Grab them by the pussy” may be one instance where he used self control. Right.