(A certain Dilemma concerning the Art of Pleasure)
There is a named Objection, o my Son, to our Thesis concerning Will that it should flow freely in its Way: vide licet, that for such as I am it is well, because I am endowed by Nature with a Lust insatiable in every Kind, so that the Universe itself seemeth incapable to appease it. For I have poured myself out unceasingly, in Bodily Passion, and in Battles with Men, and with Wild Beasts, and with Mountains and Deserts, and in Poetry and other Writings of the Musick of mine Imagination, and in Books of our own Mysteries, and in Works Magical, and so forth, so that in Mine Age I am become verily a Slave to mine own Genius; and my Law is that unless I sleep or create, my Soul is sick, and fain to claim the Reward and the Recreation of my Death. But (I hear thee say it) this is not the Case of All, or even of many, Men; but their Act of Will is satisfied easily at its first Guerdon. Should not then their Wisdom be to resist themselves for a Space, as Water heaped up by a Dam gathereth Force, and Hunger feedeth upon Abstinence? Also, there is that which I have written in a former Chapter of the right Use of Discipline; and thirdly, this free Flowing is without Subtility of Art, as it were an Harlot that plucketh Men by the Sleeve.
Restraint of Discipline is a Fortification of the Will by Repose and by Preparation, as a Conqueror resteth his Armies, and feedeth them, and looketh to their Furniture and to their Spirit, before he joineth the Battle. Also, there is the Restraint of Art, which includeth that other of Discipline, and its Nature is to adorn the Will and to admire its Strength and its Beauty, and to enjoy its Victory by Anticipation in full Confidence, not fearful of Time that robbeth them that are ignorant concerning him, how he is but Mirage and Illusion, incapable to besiege the Fortress of the Soul.
Work thou thy Will, as I said aforetime by the Mouth of Eliphas Levi Zahed, knowing thyself Omnipotent, and thine Habitation Eternity. O my Son, attend well this Word, for it is an Heirloom, and a Ring of Ruby and Emerald in thine Inheritance.
So complete determinism would be accept everything because god is in control, I like god is in control but I think there’s also freewill, I’m gonna try to tackle the qeustion again, I commented on your twitter about opposites again on the kissing tweet
93. Your timing with this piece is strangely prescient with regards to my current situation...I did a double take reading the title. I have been spiritually (and by extension physically) sickened leaving a career I know i do not want anymore (despite a decent income), and have struggled against my True Will to just end it. The change must be made, and the release must occur as the Gods will it...and I know this! Thank you again for this essay, excellent writing and much needed push to action (for me that is)🪄
This is awesome!
DE ARTE VOLUPTATE DILEMMA QUAEDAM
(A certain Dilemma concerning the Art of Pleasure)
There is a named Objection, o my Son, to our Thesis concerning Will that it should flow freely in its Way: vide licet, that for such as I am it is well, because I am endowed by Nature with a Lust insatiable in every Kind, so that the Universe itself seemeth incapable to appease it. For I have poured myself out unceasingly, in Bodily Passion, and in Battles with Men, and with Wild Beasts, and with Mountains and Deserts, and in Poetry and other Writings of the Musick of mine Imagination, and in Books of our own Mysteries, and in Works Magical, and so forth, so that in Mine Age I am become verily a Slave to mine own Genius; and my Law is that unless I sleep or create, my Soul is sick, and fain to claim the Reward and the Recreation of my Death. But (I hear thee say it) this is not the Case of All, or even of many, Men; but their Act of Will is satisfied easily at its first Guerdon. Should not then their Wisdom be to resist themselves for a Space, as Water heaped up by a Dam gathereth Force, and Hunger feedeth upon Abstinence? Also, there is that which I have written in a former Chapter of the right Use of Discipline; and thirdly, this free Flowing is without Subtility of Art, as it were an Harlot that plucketh Men by the Sleeve.
Restraint of Discipline is a Fortification of the Will by Repose and by Preparation, as a Conqueror resteth his Armies, and feedeth them, and looketh to their Furniture and to their Spirit, before he joineth the Battle. Also, there is the Restraint of Art, which includeth that other of Discipline, and its Nature is to adorn the Will and to admire its Strength and its Beauty, and to enjoy its Victory by Anticipation in full Confidence, not fearful of Time that robbeth them that are ignorant concerning him, how he is but Mirage and Illusion, incapable to besiege the Fortress of the Soul.
Work thou thy Will, as I said aforetime by the Mouth of Eliphas Levi Zahed, knowing thyself Omnipotent, and thine Habitation Eternity. O my Son, attend well this Word, for it is an Heirloom, and a Ring of Ruby and Emerald in thine Inheritance.
So complete determinism would be accept everything because god is in control, I like god is in control but I think there’s also freewill, I’m gonna try to tackle the qeustion again, I commented on your twitter about opposites again on the kissing tweet
93. Your timing with this piece is strangely prescient with regards to my current situation...I did a double take reading the title. I have been spiritually (and by extension physically) sickened leaving a career I know i do not want anymore (despite a decent income), and have struggled against my True Will to just end it. The change must be made, and the release must occur as the Gods will it...and I know this! Thank you again for this essay, excellent writing and much needed push to action (for me that is)🪄