Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c206IR // #c206Synthesis

This is the carcass of a fish; this of a bird; and this of a hog. And again more generally; This phalernum, this excellent highly commended wine, is but the bare juice of an ordinary grape. This purple robe, but sheep's hairs, dyed with the blood of a shellfish.

— In our words · Source: Meditations (Marcus Aurelius)

[Use when]

When luxury or status is doing your thinking for you.

[Why it matters]

The Stoic stripping exercise: name things by what they physically are and the added glamour falls off.

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