Greek Wisdom
Greek Wisdom
You may wonder why there is mention of a philosopher who lived 300 years before Christianity became a religion. Truth is truth whoever says it. In addition, psychology existed only in the 20th Century and yet the mind was explored. You can see where some ideas influenced Ben Franklin saying and his Richards Almanac.
PLATO (Ἀριστοκλῆς; c. 427 – 348 BC)
He was an aristocrat in Greek society. His philosophy survived centuries. The Allegorical of the Cave still is relevant and puzzling today as it was then. His philosophy influenced Christianity. Plato studied under Socrates and taught Aristotle. Aristotle tutored Alexander the Great.
His major writings were: The Republic, The Apologies of Socrates, The Symposium, Dialogues of Plato, and The Allegory of the Cave.
Here are his most important life lessons:
1- Conquer yourself - Conquering self is probably the most difficult thing to do in life. Control your passions! Escape from your temptations! Therefore, stay in control of your actions that could compromise your future. The student was to think whether or not the choices made would be helpful to his future life?
2- “Being angry solves nothing! Avoid anger! There are two opposing areas of anger: they are things you can help and things you cannot help. Another way to look at are problems you can solve and those you cannot. The former requires developing a plan to solve it. Make a plan and follow it through. If the problem cannot be solved. Just accept what you cannot change and adjust your life accordingly. The other problem is what you cannot solve. It wastes your time and energy to be angry over this problem. So accept the situation, move on, and learn from your mistake. By using reason, you evaluate the problem more objectively. You rise up to a superior level, and you come closer to the truth of that situation. Thus, getting angry never solves anything. It is a negative emotion which must be avoided. Approach problems calmly and assiduously.” (Internet)
3- Learn to be a follower first, then a master. A great teacher needs first to be a great student. A great boss needs first to be a great worker. It takes hard work and dedication. Be reliable, fulfill your obligations, be kind to others, and tough at work. This is found throughout Jesus’ teachings.
4- Be content with little and show gratitude. It is counter-intuitive but contentment with little will assure you happiness. Plato gave the example: if you have a roof over your head, food to eat, and can get to work then you are wealthy enough. Any excess of these things will not make you happier. Chasing after material things will never saturate you. It is the proverbial "enough is never enough." Instead, cultivate gratitude, see the blessings in everything you have in life, avoid resentfulness in others because they have money, fame, large houses, etc. Their wealth is only apparent. It is impossible to know how happy they really are. The singer in the movie: “The Greatest Salesman,” sang a song entitled: Enough is Never Enough. A millionaire wants to become a billionaire, etc.
5- Be in charge of your own happiness. You must depend on yourself for your own happiness and not from others. Hedonism and pleasure is not the most important thing in life. Look for the importance of wisdom, moderation, and hard work. If at all possible avoid worrying, harboring fear, or thoughts of “what if.” They only rob you of your happiness.
Quotes from Plato
“Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.” “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.” “There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.” “When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.” “The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” “A house that has a library in it has a soul.” “An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.” “χαλεπὰ τὰ καλά Nothing beautiful without struggle.” Plato, The Republic “Knowledge is the food of the soul.” “Wise men talk because they have something to say; Fools, because they have to say something.” “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” “The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself.” (55 Plato Quotes That Will Inspire Your Life Philosophy - Succeed Feed)
Nostra vita est quod cogitationes nostrae faciunt.
Our life is what our thoughts make it . Marcus Aurelius
Timendi causa est nescire -
Ignorance is the cause of fear. ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca
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Roman Wisdom
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and “a Stoic philosopher. He … was the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good
Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace, calm, and stability for the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.”(en.Wikipedi a.org/wiki/Marcus Aurelius)
He was a stoic philosopher who was best known for writing his Meditations. Some things Stoics passed on to us today is much of what happens is beyond our control and, as Epictetus put it, is not up to us, No Man Is an Island: The Stoic Golden Rule, Our Personal Development is Bound Up in Cooperation with Others, Eliminate Toxic Emotions like Hope, Fear, and Anger.
“The Stoics outlined that our own actions, thoughts, and reactions are within our control.: Some things in the world are up to us, while others are not.“ “Stoicism's primary aspect involves improving the individual's ethical and moral well-being: Virtue consists in a will that is in agreement with Nature. This principle also applies to the realm of interpersonal relationships; to be free from anger, envy, and jealousy."
I read once that the average Roman lived to be 35 years of age. The aristocrats would live mush longer. Day to day life was dangerous and unpredictable. One never knew when or how one would die. Would it be through disease, sickness, robber killing, or a soldier? Stoic philosophy taught mostly through the teaching of Epictetus believes that “it is merely a separation of our soul from our physical form. Death is inevitable, meaning that one simply must accept this reality as an external force that cannot be changed.”
“What is death? A scary mask. Take it off – see, it doesn’t bite. Eventually, body and soul will have to separate, just as they existed separately before we were born. So why be upset if it happens now? If it isn’t now, it’s later.” (https://stoicquotes.com/epictetus)
Epictetus, a Greek Philosopher, taught stoic principles. “In this quote, Epictetus likens death to a frightening mask that you can choose to remove. … Epictetus believes that it is merely a separation of our soul from our physical form. … Death is inevitable, meaning that one simply must accept this reality as an external force that cannot be changed. What is in your control, as outlined in the previous quote, is the way that you view death. If you can adjust your expectation that death is scary, and instead understand it as a neutral, unchangeable occurrence, you might find you make decisions that further enhance your ability to be happy and virtuous today.” (https://stoicquotes.com/epictetus)
As Christian we live on the average to 79 years of age. It is much longer than the average Roman. We have the redemption of Christ which the Romans never had until Christianity made its footprint on the ancient world. Plus, we have more knowledge about sickness, disease, water, sanitation, and medicines. We also know that we escape the sting of death as passing from a difficult and sinful world to one of eternal paradise, a life with our lord.
Quotes from Marcus Aurelius: Meditations
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. The best way of avenging yourself is not to become like the wrong doer. I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others. You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.( https://www.azquotes.com/author/666-Marcus_Aurelius )