Without music, life would be a mistake.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900), Twilight of the Idols (Maxims and Arrows, 33)
Tag: Inspiration
“‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’“
Steve Layman brings us sound advice from another place and time. He also suggests a few simple rules for everyday life.
Michael Wade shares a moment of tranquillity…
…along with style, beauty, art and advice.
Nicholas Bate provides pithy advice for better living (always) …
How to get better at anything, 22
1. Read the best book on the subject by the best expert.
2, Practise the skill daily.
3. Fill a notebook with key points, learnings and tips on the subject.
4. Read that notebook (3) daily.
5. Create a plan of incremental improvement.
6. …
I am in awe of those who produce thoughtful, thought-provoking and inspiring material with such relentless regularity.
More inspiration to be found at Cultural Offering, and with Patrick Rhone, and with Seth Godin (this particularly caught my eye) and many, many other places. Follow the links, hat-tips and references and let your mind wander. Even if your body can’t.
Photo by Martin Schachinger on Unsplash
Why make ourselves worse than little children? When they are left alone, what do they do? They gather up shards and dust and build something or other, then tear it down and build something else again; and so they are never at a loss as to how to spend their time. Am I, then, if you set sail, to sit down and cry because I am left alone and forlorn in that fashion? Shan’t I have shards, shan’t I have dust?
Epictetus (c.50 – 135), Handbook (3.13)
Note: the above translation comes from the very fine Daily Stoic newsletter.
Well, possibly not. But here, at least, is Professor Peterson’s Essay Writing Guide (via his newsletter).
I haven’t yet read it fully, but as you’d expect, it is thorough and drily humorous.
You can also find it directly on jordanbpeterson.com, here.
Worth a read.
We find ourselves in vexed and vexatious times. Let it go.
Stop fretting and stressing over things you can’t control.
It isn’t the things themselves that disturb people, but the judgements that they form about them.
Epictetus (c.50 – 135), Handbook (5)
So…
Continue reading “Let it go – ancient advice for modern times”
Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors’, but is an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit. Neither is poverty an obstacle, but a man may benefit his country whatever the obscurity of his condition. There is no exclusiveness in our public life, and in our private business we are not suspicious of one another, nor angry with our neighbor if he does what he likes; we do not put on sour looks at him which, though harmless, are not pleasant. While we are thus unconstrained in our private business, a spirit of reverence pervades our public acts; we are prevented from doing wrong by respect for the authorities and for the laws, having a particular regard to those which are ordained for the protection of the injured as well as those unwritten laws which bring upon the transgressor of them the reprobation of the general sentiment.
Thucydides 460 – 400 BC), Pericles’ Funeral Oration
Execupundit’s Michael Wade shares some wise words:
You may not have the control to lengthen your life, but you can do much to deepen it.
Frank Sonnenberg
Photo by Marie Bellando-Mitjans on Unsplash
He who dies merely because of pain is weak and lazy; he who lives merely for pain is a fool.
Seneca (4 BC – AD 65), Moral Letters to Lucilius (58.36)
Execupundit’s Michael Wade points to a forthcoming series on General Grant — US Civil War general and, later, 18th president of the United States.
It was Michael who first sparked my interest in Grant. It’s on the History channel. I hope it’s available in the UK.
Here’s the trailer:
Lay down from this moment a certain character and pattern of behaviour for yourself, which you are to preserve both when you’re alone and when you’re with others.
Epictetus (c.50 – 135), Handbook (33.1)