71–80 of 118 posts
“35) Give no second chances to anyone who shows disrespect“ This is one of the worst rules I have ever read. Taken literally it can squander a life otherwise well lived.
I was treated disrespectfully at a restaurant recently.
I do not plan on returning there ever.
I've narrowed my algorithm to three (not so simple) rules: 1. Know yourself. 2. Work hard. 3. Serve others. I think 90% of unhappiness comes from violating at least one of these rules. Conversely, of course, following these rules doesn't guarantee happiness, but (I think) it increases your chances.
>1) Do your work—do it on time and fully, if not early and overabundantly. I cannot overstate how absolutely hollow it must be that work is your #1 rule of living The next saddest thing is that the only mention of love is a fucking Machiavelli quote
Obviously, being buried under an avalanche of thankless work is just as bad.
My ideal life would be some sprints of large effort (maybe pulling the occasional all-nighter once in a while), followed by rest / low work times.
A constant amount of work, all the same, blurs the days together. Too little, and you start feeling useless. Too much (consistently) and you're overwhelmed.
“35) Give no second chances to anyone who shows disrespect“ This is one of the worst rules I have ever read. Taken literally it can squander a life otherwise well lived.
This bit me.
I work for a disrespectful person.
It is awful.
I've always like Ben Franklin's 13 virtues. It's a short list. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to…
The rest is noise in an expanding universe
If you wish to train your mind with such aphorisms and craft your own, I recommend reading Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, or more modern thinkers like Heidegger and Adorno. Each of them has collections of aphorisms, akin to an elevated 'Farmer's Almanac'.
I often wonder if there's any real benefit in reading things like this. Philosophising (and meditating) without putting it into practice in your life is largely worthless, but I tend to think with ideas like this you only learn them through experience.
Be kind as in be like thyself as in see thyself in others as in don't be unkind as in be kind The rest is noise in an expanding universe