Finding wisdom in a chaotic world
Universal truths are now more important than ever.
“Wisdom is the apex of intellectual and moral judgment, experienced in emotions, desires, and life experience. It calls us to a higher self and a more noble way of existing in the world, and if there has ever been a time where we need higher selves, it is now.”
— Paul McLaughlin and Mark McMinn (“A Time for Wisdom”)
With so many people looking for meaning and truth amid global chaos, moral confusion and growing technological dominance, does ancient wisdom still have a place in the modern world? Do universal truths still apply?
Put another way — do Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, and Confucius translate to the 21st century? My answer is an emphatic “yes” as you’ll see below.
Over two millennia, timeless principles and universal truths enriched humankind with the knowledge of how to lead meaningful, happy lives. The ancients gave us purpose and moral clarity. They illuminated the value of resilience and temperance, and how to balance personal needs and boundaries with those of the community.
But in recent times we have lost our way. Intelligence — even the much-ballyhooed artificial kind — is not the same thing as wisdom. While technology makes the improbable possible and connects the world with a simple tap of a finger, universal truth and personal connections are slowly fading away.
It seems the more reliant we’ve become on electronic devices, the farther we’ve drifted apart. Relationships are less personal and human … they’ve migrated to screens and are brokered through banks of networked servers. How much meaning is lost in translation?
It’s strange. One can sit in a room full of people and still feel isolated and alone while the surrounding faces blankly stare and scroll away.
Ancient Wisdom
Knowledge, insights, and teachings that have been passed down through generations from ancient cultures and civilizations.
We’re at a turning point. Everyone was once communally connected, regardless of cultural and ancestral lineage.
But as each generation grew old and produced the next, much of our collective wisdom was lost to time. Over time, the foundations of fellowship and community faded and were replaced by today’s techno-culture that thrives on instant gratification and fosters divisiveness and isolation.
So where do the Masters fit in? How can their teachings provide clarity and guidance in an increasingly turbulent world?
These are not just dusky old quotes found in the tattered pages of philosophy textbooks. They’ve lasted thousands of years because of their relevant meaning and truth.
Take a moment. Go back in time. Here are a few ancient gems that still shine true today …
Seneca: “Remorse”
“There is no person so severely punished as those who subject themselves to the whip of their own remorse.” — Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Choose your regrets. Great advice, especially if the regrets are attached to circumstances that were beyond your control. It’s too late now. There’s no going back.
So as I edge gently toward my “good night” I carry very few regrets. **
And I am much more at peace for it.
** “Good night” was Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’ metaphor for death in his iconic poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” (1947)
Cicero: “Youth”
“As I approve of a youth who has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man who has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero
The duality of the Roman statesman’s message is striking.
He admires the young man who has “something of the old man in him,” assuming character traits such as maturity and equanimity. But he also suggests that older men (like me) should always think young.
Meaning: Think young, stay young, enjoy life, live longer. A highly appealing precept to live by.
Buddha: “Anger”
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die" – Gautama Buddha
This is brilliant.
Long-term resentment has hugely negative effects on the mind and body. Retaining anger strains the immune and endocrine systems. It also causes the body to increase the production of stress hormones called catecholamines, which elevate blood pressure.
An angry man hurts nobody but himself.
Socrates: “Wonderment”
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
Curiosity is a vastly underappreciated trait. It shows in the innocent child’s “wow eyes” as well as the scientist who relentlessly questions his/her hypotheses in the lab. Curiosity leads to discovery, and discovery leads to wisdom.
Carry it further — imagine being inquisitive rather than dismissive in a personal disagreement. Might it lead to a better conversation? Might you learn something?
Aristotle: “Excellence”
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny". – Aristotle
The pursuit of excellence provides purpose and meaning, no matter where you find yourself. And this is exactly what a fulfilling and satisfying life needs: purpose.
Settling for mediocrity in any life pursuit is the product of a lazy mind and passive will. As Aristotle rightly says, excellence is a choice.
Be mindful: Excellence is not necessarily synonymous with success. Success is winning medals, getting a promotion, and awarding gold stars. Success can come by chance, by accident, or just by dumb luck … somebody else dropped the ball.
On the other hand, excellence is the organization and execution of a plan to become as good as you individually can be in any life pursuit.
Gospel of Matthew: “Love thy neighbor”
Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
We’re not very good at “love thy neighbor,” are we? That’s because it is really hard to do — some might say impossible, given our own faults and the neighbor’s sometimes hidden intentions.
You may or may not be a Christian. But of all of Jesus’ teachings, this may be the most important … to become the Better Angels of our Nature. After all, we’re all in this together.
Look at it this way … the survival of our species may depend on it.
Marcus Aurelius: “The Good Man”
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius (Meditations)
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to find what a good man should be … as a son .... a brother … a boyfriend … a husband … a father .... a grandfather … and a member of the community. Much of that effort has been measured against what nature gave me (DNA), what I’ve learned, and how society sees my value.
I can’t do much about biology and evolution (DNA). Society? Well, society seems to always move the goalposts. Can’t do much about that, either. I can, however, actuate the wisdom acquired over 68 years and what I can do with it — my principles, morals, attitudes and behaviors.
I turned to the Roman emperor (161-180 A.D.) and Stoic philosopher, who spelled out what it means to be a good man in his Meditations. Without going into detail, Meditations’ most important tenets include personal virtue, integrity, mindfulness, equanimity, and honesty.
In trying to become a “good man” I have failed many times over. And I have succeeded in some.
Bottom line: I’m a work in progress. But I’m trying.
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Jim Geschke was inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Registry in 2021.
I enjoyed these quotes JIm. They seem quite relevant today.
These could be a series every few months, with different themed quotes. Like some from the Stoics, then some from more modern leaders - JFK, MLK, and the like. And so on.
When we really think about the meaning of these quotes, then try to apply the wisdom to our everyday. lives, how can we not be better at being humans? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ .
Excellent collection of wisdoms here, Jim! These quotes from long ago remind me of the French expression "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." Or, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."