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Roman generals used slaves for this purpose. Parrots are more socially acceptable, and better able to accompany us through life, especially in these troubled times. To avoid the clamour of many birds, large offices may wish to employ a Shakespearean actor for the same purpose. However, the actor would
require a parrot of his own lest the importance of his position should go to his head. A raven would also be fitting.
Handbook of Epictetus (Enchiridion)
http://classics.mit...tetus/epicench.html
Considered by many to be the best document of stoicism. [quarterbaker, Nov 21 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
[link]
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Mine would have to do that Caesar thing and remind me that I'm only human... |
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speaking as one of lifes professional grumps, why on earth would I want a disease-ridden old bird sitting on my shoulder reminding me of my impending doom.
This is the silliest idea I have come across, its worse than some of my own. I'd like a fiery dragon sitting on my shoulder breathing fire and whispering how good life is, a world with UnaBubba's, Dr Bobs', AfroAssualts, Bristolz', Bliss's, Peter Sealeys, and all my fans who without whom I would still be logging onto www.Geocities/madbirds/no brains/no life........ |
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you'd be more than welcome, bliss but not the black hole that is No 1 son's bedroom! |
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Just to make sure we all understand what we're talking about, I've posted a link to the Handbook of Epictetus.
Contrary to popular views, stoicism is not a dark, dreary, morbid view. Nor is it ascetic. Certainly not nihilistic. If anything, it is just a view that says, "hey, the world works in certain ways, get used to it." |
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I want mine to sing the following, whilst sitting on my shoulder, |
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O fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
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Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis,
obumbrata
et velata
michi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
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Sors salutis
et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!
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... don't want no freaks! |
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I know a few too many chirpy, happy morning types who need such a pet. It should also never be toilet trained, to keep things in perspective even when they learn to tune it out. |
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'"hey, the world works in certain ways, get used to it." ([B/4]). That sounds like cat philosophy. |
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pottedstu — Morituri Te Salutant. |
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UnaBubba: Would you alternate that with a moaning swan? |
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"Yeah, and your day is going to be real soon if you crap on my shoulder again." |
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I could live with having a cat attached to my shoulder. It's just that cats tend to get bored quicker and go off elsewhere. Plus not many of them can talk. |
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//I could live with having a cat attached to my shoulder// Not for long |
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[UB]: Would the parrot be required to sing O Fortuna in the typical high pitched, Omen-style or would you be just as happy if it sang it in the style of Bob Marley? |
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And what, in turn, will check -the parrot's- hubris?
I used to have a cat who enjoyed leaping onto a parakeet's
ceiling-hung cage and careening back and forth. A bit big,
though -- perhaps chicken nugget epaulets would do. |
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In most cases this would not work, If I were a big shot Roman general - especially after Caligula era- I would reply "better others before me than, kill those rebellians!". arabic or turkic rules had a slave to remind them " there is god greater than you", but those guys acted as if the "only" person greater than them was the god. When something becomes affiliated with office or state, it loses its effectiveness. |
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Nah! What you need is an elderly relative snoozing away in the big armchair in the corner and waking up occasionally to announce that "we did it better in my day and without all this technology rubbish. Things used to be built to last and now they fall to bits five minutes after you get them home. I didn't fight in two World Wars..." |
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When my old grey cat landed on a colleague's shoulder, he growled, "Arrrgh! Damn cat ate m'bird!" |
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Fortunae plango vulnera stillantibus ocellis,
quod sua mihi munera subtrahit rebellis. |
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... and the parrot never even warned me! |
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A good parrot is still cheaper than a segway. |
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