I delight to lodge in such temples as are not regularly kept closed. None of the gods reject me; they make me partner of their roof.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
If any man has left us for fear of Nero, I shall not account him a coward; but I shall hail as a philosopher any man who has been superior to this fear, and I shall teach him all I know.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.
In this quote, Apollonius of Tyana highlights the distinction between those who flee from fear and those who confront it. He argues that while escaping danger may not be seen as cowardice, true merit lies in the individual who rises above their fears, earning respect and wisdom in the process. This perspective sheds light on the essence of courage and philosophical thought.
Themes
CourageFearPhilosophyOvercomingStrength
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about resilience and facing adversity.
More from Apollonius Of Tyana
All quotes →Just as an individual of pre-eminent worth transforms democracy into a monarchy of the best man, even so the rule of one man, if in all things it has an eye to the common welfare, is democracy.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
A man must fortify himself and understand that a wise man who yields to laziness or anger or passion or love of drink, or who commits any other action prompted by impulse and inopportune, will probably find his fault condoned; but if he stoops to greed, he will not be pardoned, but render himself odious as a combination of all vices at once.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
Never may a man prone to believe scandal be a despot or a popular leader! Under his guidance, democracy itself will be despotism.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
If you have problems of conduct that are difficult and hard to settle, I will furnish you with solutions, for I not only know matters of practice and duty, but I even know them beforehand.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
O ye gods, grant unto me to have little and to want nothing.
Apollonius Of TyanaRead
Similar quotes
Being "fearless" isn't about being unafraid, it's about being TERRIFIED and still going for it.
Taylor SwiftRead
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Everything that scares you is an opportunity to know your best self better.
Robin SharmaRead
I was first imprisoned in Pretoria, and then, thereafter, I was taken to Robben Island. I stayed there for a couple of weeks. I was taken back to Pretoria when I was charged in the Rivonia trial, when I was then sent to Robben Island for life.
Nelson MandelaRead
I'm not proud of killing, of being responsible for the death of a single person. I never will be.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it's worth making the attempt. That's why courage is important.
Dalai LamaRead