A Friend or My Shadow
I am always willing to point out my faults, my shortcomings and my failures. But when someone else points out my faults, my shortcomings and my failures – well, that is a different matter altogether.
Friendship is about candid and open debate. That’s what makes it exciting and moving forward….
“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”
Plutarch
The things one wants to know…
“I wish life was not so short, he thought. Languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about.”
J. R. R. Tolkien
Knowledge is increasing exponentially – everyone agrees. Whether wisdom is growing at the same rate, is another matter altogether.
We have so much to learn in so little time. It makes life both exciting and frustrating. Perhaps this dynamic duo may be what keeps us moving forward. We have no time for regrets….
Freedom
Epictetus: Born a slave – passionate about philosophy – died a free man. He lived life simply, yet his words were sought after by eminent figures including the Emperor Hadrian, who was best known for building a wall in which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain.
I was born free…
May I seek out knowledge with the same passion as Epictetus…
“Only the educated are free.”
Epictetus (AD 55 – AD 135)
Alexander’s Curriculum Vitae
Today marks the birthday of Alexander III of Macedon (AKA Alexander the Great)
At 30, Alexander’s Curriculum Vitae would read:
Marital Status: Three Wives (Roxane, Statiera and Parysatis)
Education: Studied under Aristotle, who studied under Plato
Address: Numerous domiciles ranging between the Mediterranean to Himalaya
Current Occupation: King, Conqueror, Empire Builder
Prior positions:
- Commander – Undefeated in Battle
- Horse tamer of wild horses – i.e. Bucephalus
The Parthenon, Athens, Greece
”There is nothing impossible to him who will try.”
Alexander the Great
