My Philosophy 2

My Philosophy 2


1) Aristotle and I are of one mind separated only by Millennia. I can only hope that my words are as widely respected and remain relevant after so much time.

2) If it is within one's power to stop a wrong from being committed, and they chose to do nothing, then they are also a villain

3) Being lost in deep thought is often times the only way one truly finds oneself.

4) When you need to teach those who refuse to learn, it helps to fool them into thinking about something else, then gradually incorporating your lesson into the topic.

5) I agree with Aristotle that the wise man is melancholy in nature and would avoid confrontation more often than not, unless the prize is something they hold dear, then none will fight more fiercely than the wise man...laying even his life on the line if need be. This is why a wise man confronts his enemies first with his mind, second with his words, third with his heart, then finally, if all else fails, with his fists. A preemptive strike, verbal or otherwise, is not out of the question however, especially if prior knowledge suggests that reason would fall on deaf ears.

6) Never act on an assumption. Think, question, listen and learn...then act.

7) The art of philosophy is not only a method of sharing knowledge and experience but also a tool meant to promote creative thought and sound reasoning.

8) One of life's greatest lessons can be found in the game of poker: we may not always like the cards we're dealt, as some hands are better than others, but there is comfort in remembering that every hand can potentially win or lose depending on how we chose to play it.

9) When in a debate, it is wise to speak as you would play chess, anticipating your opponent's words before they have a chance to say them.

10) Striving to answer someone else’s question is sometimes more beneficial than asking the question yourself, as this tends to lead you to new areas of thought that you may not have explored otherwise.

11) Subtlety and sarcasm are both an art form and of the same family, yet require very different techniques to master.

12) They say that there is one intelligent person for every hundred, and one intellectual person for every thousand. The person Possessing both virtues is even rarer still...because not all who have knowledge take the time to reflect on it, and not all deep thinkers are sufficiently educated.

13) The ultimate irony today is how modern technology is born from the brilliant minds of some, yet contributes to bad habits and lazy thinking in others.

14) Never be offensive to those who provide you a service, as the quality of that service will reflect their resentment to the offense.

15) People are remembered based not on their wealth or belongings, but instead on their actions and influence.

16) While I am not openly opposed to socializing, solitude does offer grand rewards as well.

17) One is at peace when they find the balance between joy and distress.

18) The betterment of oneself should be paramount to all other endeavors.

19) Respect is earned, not given.

20) A good leader credits his subordinates with a victory, and blames himself for a defeat.

21) While it's good to set an example for passiveness, few respect those who are always submissive.

22) An acquaintance is someone who is not a relative of yours but who's company you enjoy; A friend is someone who has your best interests at heart, even if doing so goes against their own; Your best friend is the one who does this most often.

23) The eyes don't lie anywhere near as often as the people they are attached to.

24) While there is strength in numbers, it's hardly safe as this makes for a larger target and, when challenged, results in a war of attrition.

25) Stand up for the things you hold dear, as none can be expected to do the task for you with the same level of motivation.

My Philosophy

I started taking an interest in philosophy a few months back, and find that I really enjoy it! Reading the works of Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Rene Descartes, and even the writings of Einstein, have not only kept my mind busy, but have also helped to make me see the world through new eyes. I've come to enjoy this quest for understanding so much, that I've even started writing my own philosophy. Below you will find what I have been working on so far. Feedback is welcome. Enjoy!

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1) It's good to forgive, but foolish to forget.

2) The thirst for knowledge can be temporarily satisfied, but never quenched.

3) If you must compromise who you are and pacify your desires to meet the approval of someone else, then their opinion of you does not matter, for if it did they would want you to be happy, and you can't be happy while being something you are not.

4) It's the little things in life that bring us joy, yet we often sacrifice those tiny things in order to gain larger rewards, who's novelty wears off far too quickly.

5) Most can learn information and repeat it on command, but to truly know something, one must first understand it. For all the wise learn, they find themselves asking more questions, and are left feeling humbled by the vast amount of knowledge that they still have yet to learn. There for: True Knowledge is understanding, and true wisdom is humbling.

6) If the wise understand that they still have a lot to learn, then only a fool would project himself as a 'know-it-all'

7) Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? For while true wisdom is humbling, the art of discovery offers instant and lasting gratification.

(7A: Is ignorance truly bliss, or does it merely offer us the illusion of happiness in it's simplicity? I personally feel that it's better to be blissful about the things you know to be good, rather than to be "happy" going through life with your eyes closed. If you no longer find ignorance blissful, then that's a good thing. )

8) Faith should never be blindly followed. The faithful owe it to themselves to seek out knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the given topic, be it religion, science, politics, love or what have you, before they can truly accept the unknown.

9) The price one pays for thinking outside the box, is the initial awkwardness they feel relating with those still living inside it.

10) Being right or wrong, in the long run, isn't nearly as important as initially contemplating the outcome.

11) No one finds the answer without first asking the question.

12) Friendships are like houses. Not only do they need to be carefully selected and periodically maintained, but when one is demolished, you can't just lean boards against what remains and expect it to be as structurally sound as it once was. You must first make sure the foundation is still strong, then start relaying the bricks...one by one.

13) A smart man will learn from his own mistakes; a wise man will learn from the mistakes others make as well as his own.

14) Which is the greater evil: those who act out of malice, or the inaction of the righteous?

15) Life is full of both pleasure and pain, and while we may wish for more of one and less of the other, it's the combination of both that defines who we are. You would find yourself a much different person without one or the other.

16) Not all battles can be won and not all victories are deserved..

17) In order to be taught, one must first be willing to learn.

18) What better place to discuss philosophy than at the bar, where the consumption of alcohol makes everyone a philosopher.

19) Knowledge can be found everywhere, is often free, and is offered by all in one form or another...all one needs to do is look.

20) The only time drama has a positive outcome, is when it is applied to ones entertainment.

21) None are more wronged than the repeatedly offended, however when the situation is avoidable, the offended share part of the blame.

22) While your friends often mingle among your acquaintances, not all of your acquaintances are your friends.

23) The day I found philosophy was the day I realized I wasn't alone in my thoughts.

24) Vacations are meant as an escape from stress and obligation. It's best to not plan it's every detail, as this leads to the very things you are trying to escape from.

25) Stubborn, opinionated, and misinformed: Avoid debating with those who have all three of these traits, as even your victory will prove fruitless.