A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
SocratesRead
I call myself a Peaceful Warrior... because the battles we fight are on the inside.
Interpretation
The true struggles in life are often internal rather than external.
This quote by Socrates emphasizes that most significant battles occur within ourselves, relating to our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. It suggests that personal growth and inner peace come from confronting and understanding these internal struggles, rather than external conflicts or challenges.
In practice
During a meditation workshop, I shared a quote about being a Peaceful Warrior to highlight the importance of inner peace.
A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true.
The poets are only the interpreters of the gods.
I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
When I was young, I believed that life might unfold in an orderly way, according to my hopes and expectations. But now I understand that the Way winds like a river, always changing, ever onward.. My journeys revealed that the Way itself creates the warrior; that every path leads to peace, every choice to wisdom. And that life has always been, and will always be, arising in Mystery.
Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued." "It is not living that matters, but living rightly. The unexamined life is not worth living.
In April 1917 the illusion of isolation was destroyed, America came to the end of innocence, and of the exuberant freedom of bachelor independence. That the responsibilities of world power have not made us happier is no surprise. To help ourselves manage them, we have replaced the illusion of isolation with a new illusion of omnipotence.
The 'working poor,' as they are approvingly termed, are in fact the major philanthropists of our society.
If you believe in God, work with Him. If you do not, become one.
It is only by doing good to others that one attains to one's own good
When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy prescribed was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job. Nothing has worked. I fear the disease is incurable.
It is the end. But of what? The end of France? No. The end of kings? Yes.
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