Are there things you’re doing just for the achievement of fame and the approval of others? Are there things you want to do but are worried about what others will say? According to Montaigne, the best way to achieve peace of mind, tranquility and happiness is to shake off the desire for glory and approval from others. Live a life in accordance with your own dreams, goals and moral compass within the confines of society. Aim for peace of mind, not fame and glory.
Tag Archives: History
Do Not Seek Praise
Marcus Aurelius, the stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, used to regularly remind himself to never seek praise. He should simply complete a job, because it was his duty to do so, and that was enough. If, like Marcus says, we aim never to seek praise in all that we do, could we end up living a happier life?
You Are a Human Being – Do Your Job
What’s the job of a human being? Is it a life of leisure or a life of achievement? The great Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius can help remind us of our job as a human being, just as he reminded himself daily.
Know When to Stop
Is victory always worth it? Are there situations where you should stop, even though you’re actually winning? To help answer these questions we can look to the meaning of the phrase: a ‘Pyrrhic victory’ that was named after the Ancient Greek king Pyrrhus of Epirus.
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition.
The achievers throughout history have had a higher tolerance for mastering repetitive tasks. This has allowed them to excel in their field and master their chosen craft. This often comes from seeing the tangible results that come from patience, discipline, and sustained effort. This is perfectly witnessed in the story of Sir Isaac Newton.
Crossing The Rubicon
Crossing the Rubicon is a phrase that has been used throughout history. It means to take a bold course of action and cross a point of no return. But where does it come from and how could it be useful?
Learn to Hold Your Tongue
An important skill in life is learning how to hold your tongue. It’s a key skill that if ignored will bring many a misfortune. The more you say, the more you are at risk of saying something stupid or even dangerous.
Peace Comes From Within. Do Not Seek It Without.
Our culture has programmed us to believe that to be happy you need some-thing to make you happy: a big house, a large bank balance, a fancy job title. So we often spend our lives toiling away for material possessions and power, hoping that when we attain them they’ll make us happy.
Take Your Time: Darwin
Most people over-estimate what they can achieve in a year and under-estimate what they can achieve in a decade. If you want to get good, great or amazing at something then you have to give it time. Do not rush your journey to mastery.
Everything Is Always In a State Of Flux: Heraclitus
The world and everything in it is always changing, nothing ever stays the same. This idea was first proposed by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus (535-475 BC) who believed that everything is always in a state of “flux”, constantly changing.
Ben Caufield 