Simple Stoic Advice
Pursuit of Wisdom
Pursuit of Wisdom
The beautiful thing about Stoic philosophy is the advice contained within it is just as applicable today as it was when it was first written all those many years ago. We can learn a great deal from interpreting the advice provided and using it to our advantage as we go throughout our own lives.
Today’s quote comes to us courtesy of Seneca and his essay, On the Shortness of Life:
Quote
“Aren’t you ashamed to keep for yourself just the remnants of your life, and to devote to wisdom only that time which cannot be spent on any business? How late it is to begin really to live just when life must end!”
Advice
In Seneca’s essay, On the Shortness of Life, he speaks to the fact that the majority of people live their lives without ever realizing they will die. Seneca argues that, if these individuals admitted to themselves that they too will die, and that they realize the “when” is unknown, then they would, and should, turn their attention to the present moment and make the most of their time.
If one is looking to gain wisdom, they cannot just study when they feel like it, or when there is 10 or 20 minutes here or there. To gain wisdom, one must be devoted to gaining that wisdom, carving out the time for study. But unfortunately, the majority of people come to this realization once it is too late and they see the end of their lives approaching.
Waste no more time putting off the desire to be wise. Go after it and devote time daily to gaining it.
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