Philosophy to Live By... A Personal Journey

"I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul.  I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man, public as well as private.  This is my teaching, and if this is the doctrine which corrupts the youth, I am a mischievous person." ~ Socrates

The preceding quote from Socrates does a fine job of capturing my purpose for The Financial Philosopher.  Today's post, inspired by a reader's email question, is about finding philosophical ideas or quotes that may help shape your value system or even the way you live...

I enjoy responding to reader email when possible but I found this particular request for information to be so challenging that I felt compelled to respond in the form of a post.  Here's the request:

I know you dislike lists but, in your opinion, what would be your 10 best philosophies you try to live your life by?

This challenge inspires a few preliminary thoughts: 

• I believe lists can be quite useful if they are created and used by (and for) the same person (i.e. A self-generated list to organize your daily activities). 
• If you are interested, here are my 10 Reasons to Avoid Lists.
• Creating a list of "10 best philosophies" is impossible for someone like me.
• Philosophy is an enormously broad subject with dozens of sub-sections and branches as there are also thousands of notable "philosophers." 
• Each individual should seek out wisdom that best suits their personal needs and value system.
• I suggest buying a book that introduces philosophy at the beginner's level and go from there.  I like The Complete Idiot's Guide To Philosophy: The Third Edition

With that, I will provide some of my favorite philosophical quotes that embody most of the ideas and virtues I have found to be useful thus far in my life.  Hopefully, you will find some of them useful in your own life or, at least, inspiring enough to look elsewhere for more "wisdom."  By the way, I have listed more than 10 "philosophies" but I am still leaving out many of my favorites... Also, I will not add my own thoughts to any of these words, primarily for the reason summarized in the first quote by von Goethe...

"All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience."  ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Man acts as though he were the shaper and master of language, while  in fact language remains the master of man." ~ Martin Heidegger

"History does not repeat itself but it does rhyme." ~ Mark Twain

"True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way.  It can't be gained by interfering."  Lau-tzu

"He who knows, does not speak.  He who speaks, does not know."  Lau-tzu

"Health is the greatest possession.  Contentment is the greatest treasure.  Confidence is the greatest friend.  Non-being is the greatest joy." ~ Lau-tzu

"There is no calamity greater than lavish desires.  There is no greater guilt than discontent.  And there is no greater disaster than greed."  Lau-tzu

"Money often costs too much." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires." ~ Epicurus

"Have more than thou showest.  Speak less than thou knowest." ~ Shakespeare

"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." ~ Plutarch

"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us." ~ Socrates

"The unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates

"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If I were forced to choose one philosophical quote to lead my life, this would be it:

"Moderation, which consists in indifference about little things, and in a prudent and well-proportioned zeal about things of importance, can proceed from nothing but true knowledge, which has its foundation in self-acquaintance." ~ Plato

I enjoy "discovering" new pieces of wisdom I have not seen before and would love to hear some of your favorites...

TFPAuthor, Kent N. Thune, QPFC, is the President and founder of Atlantic Capital Investments, LLC (ACI), a 'fee-only' Registered Investment Advisory firm located in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Comments

[Ron]

Some of my favorites? Like these few?

"Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak." --Unknown
"A can of worms won't open itself." --Unknown
"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." --Ancient Indian Proverb

[arif]

there is one philosopher who said these:

“Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people.”

“No man is true in the truest sense of the word but he who is true in work, in deed, and in thought.”

“Riches are not from and abundance of wordly goods but from a contented mind.”

“The son of Man groweth and with him grow two things - the love of wealth and love of long life.”

do you know who that is?

answer
Muhammad

[The Financial Philosopher]

Ron:

I have not heard those. I especially like the one referring to light and sound.

Arif:

I have not exposed myself enough to words from Muhammad. Thanks for the inspiration! I must say that I enjoy eastern philosophy and would argue that, like Jesus, Muhammad is not only a "prophet" but a masterful philosopher...

Thanks to all for your comments...

[Ron]

See, for example, the book "Desert Wisdom: Sacred Middle Eastern Writings From The Goddess Through The Sufis" by Neil Douglas-Klotz, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995, isbn 0-06-061996-1 for more Judeo/Christian/Islamic sayings.

[The Financial Philosopher]

Thanks Ron...

As a "student" of philosophy, it helps to learn of new sources from people like you.

Thanks again...

[Don]

Interesting site, nice list.

"Where can I find a man who has forgotten words?"