Cigars
“Tobacco is the plant that converts thoughts into dreams.” – Victor Hugo Stoicism tells us pleasure is fine, providing it is virtuous. One of the stoic virtues is temperance. Self-control. Discipline. Buddhism tells us not to crave material pleasures. Thích Nhất Hạnh teaches that all material desires bring no pleasure, only sadness. I am neither a stoic nor a Buddhist, even though I enjoy reading their philosophy and try to live a virtuous life. There is nothing virtuous in the pleasure of a cigar. I lack discipline. I indulge. Occasionally I drink alcohol. Sometimes I smoke a cigar. Occasionally I… never mind. They give me great pleasure. I feel no guilt in having them. They bring no sadness. Maybe they do? Outside these occasional indulgences, I lead a disciplined life. Mostly. Virtuous. Who can say? We are taught to partake. Everything in moderation is ok. Just a tiny amount won’t hurt. You deserve it. You have ear...