Super powerful stuff here, Jeff - I assume lots of these are original! I love a good aphorism roundup.
Particularly:
"Anything other than your health being your top priority is idiocy."
and
"The mistake is thinking people care what you do. You are free."
I've been thinking about these 2 things for a really long time, and basically came to the conclusion that "nobody will pay you to do the most important things in your life: fulfil your purpose, have a calm mind, a healthy body, and meaningful relationships"
“The tragedy is when people value being perceived as smart more than they value actual learning.”
This one works if you swap out “smart” with almost any other positive trait (cultured, wealthy, virtuous, etc.) It speaks to what is actually valued: status.
"The social pressure to conform is a persistent tyranny, but one that fails to oppress he who reads deeply and writes honestly in solitude."
This one reminds me of Ernst Junger's comment: "The sociological definition of elite is already an indication of the corruption of the concept. A warning, for me, to no longer trust even the elites, but now only the great loners." From here: https://juengertranslationproject.substack.com/p/the-coming-titans-ernst-junger
Super powerful stuff here, Jeff - I assume lots of these are original! I love a good aphorism roundup.
Particularly:
"Anything other than your health being your top priority is idiocy."
and
"The mistake is thinking people care what you do. You are free."
I've been thinking about these 2 things for a really long time, and basically came to the conclusion that "nobody will pay you to do the most important things in your life: fulfil your purpose, have a calm mind, a healthy body, and meaningful relationships"
Thank you Zan! Appreciate that. I think the conclusion you came to is wise and absolutely correct.
These are all great! I especially like:
“The tragedy is when people value being perceived as smart more than they value actual learning.”
This one works if you swap out “smart” with almost any other positive trait (cultured, wealthy, virtuous, etc.) It speaks to what is actually valued: status.
Thank you! And yes I hadn’t even thought of that, that is a good point
"The social pressure to conform is a persistent tyranny, but one that fails to oppress he who reads deeply and writes honestly in solitude."
This one reminds me of Ernst Junger's comment: "The sociological definition of elite is already an indication of the corruption of the concept. A warning, for me, to no longer trust even the elites, but now only the great loners." From here: https://juengertranslationproject.substack.com/p/the-coming-titans-ernst-junger