the wise man doesn’t need to say, “I am wise.”
he doesn’t need attention
in fact, he is so subtle
other people think, they came up with his ideas, on their own.
So, where is the motivation in being wise?
Perhaps, wisdom is a way to accomplish what you want
without getting in your own way.
This applies to accumulating wealth
friends
and avoiding bad decisions.
The wise person never says, “Look at all the good decisions I have made.”
It doesn’t enhance his position to talk about it
and those who claim self-promotion as a necessary evil
don’t understand the power of
getting others to talk about you,
instead of you, talking about yourself.
This is your reputation,
whether good or bad.
Your character
plants the seeds
in your precarious garden.
The need to feel superior, is different than being superior.
One, comes from arrogance, and the other, comes from humility.
In a sense…
the virtuous man doesn’t know he is virtuous
and the wise man doesn’t know he is wise.
These are not constant thoughts in his head.
He doesn’t worry about false humility.
He doesn’t worry about how people perceive him.
He acts from virtue
and not from attention, escape, or aggression.
It’s true
we are not angelic beings
we all have an ego
and those who claim otherwise
are the most dangerous.
Some would say, striving for a moral ideal
is a waste of time.
We should embrace
our human nature
but I believe
our human nature
can rise above
our animal nature
in the form of
unexpressed philosophy
like I am NOT doing here
and that is why
I say,
“These words might not be wise.”
On the other hand they might be the wisest of words
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🙂
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Wisdom and folly. Sometimes, perhaps often, the difference is undetectable. Maybe that is why I so often accuse myself of being a fool – I do not know what wisdom is.
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Yes–we have to laugh at ourselves! 🙂
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This line has a strong kernel of insight. “The need to feel superior, is different than being superior.”
Makes me think of a person that feels the need to let others know about his wonderful accomplishments. Sneak it into the conversation even if it’s an awkward segue.
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Yes, that’s a perfect example.
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My ego says.”I know the bullshit in me, that’s what you understand and see. But when i see the bullshit in you, you don’t know what i mean”.
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Very good project33!!! 🙂
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I’ve been experiencing that with an older person who is a fellow volunteer. In the end makes me realize he’s experienced trauma but not willing to face it.
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