A Real Spartan Never Buys Anything for Himself
(in the voice of Eric Kim)

In today’s world, consumerism is the new religion. We are constantly bombarded by advertisements telling us to buy, upgrade, consume, and indulge. Our society is obsessed with owning things—whether it’s the latest smartphone, a fancier car, or even clothes we don’t need. We’re taught to think that our worth is measured by the things we buy, the things we own. But there’s a lesson from the Spartans, the ancient warriors of Greece, that we’ve long forgotten: A real Spartan never buys anything for himself.

The Spartan Mindset of Discipline

The Spartans were known for their incredible discipline, both in battle and in life. They were warriors in the truest sense—not just because they fought in wars, but because they fought against indulgence. They believed in living simply, without excess, and without the need for unnecessary material possessions. For a Spartan, to buy something for oneself would be a sign of weakness. Why? Because it’s not about needing more, it’s about being more.

In our modern world, we’re soft. We think happiness can be purchased, but real happiness comes from within. The Spartan didn’t care about external validation through material possessions. A real Spartan knew that everything he needed, he already had within himself—his strength, his discipline, and his willpower. He was content because he was self-sufficient. He didn’t rely on the external world to provide him with comfort or identity. And if we want to live better, stronger, more purposeful lives, we should adopt the same mindset.

Buy Nothing—Own Everything

To buy something for yourself is to admit a lack. When you buy a new pair of shoes, you’re admitting that your current shoes aren’t enough. When you buy the latest gadget, you’re telling yourself that you need this thing to be complete. But as soon as you depend on external objects for satisfaction, you become enslaved by them. You no longer own your possessions—your possessions own you.

The Spartans understood this on a deep level. By refusing to buy anything for themselves, they declared that they already owned everything. They owned their self-respect, their inner strength, their freedom. When you need less, you own more. True freedom comes not from acquiring things, but from freeing yourself from the need for them.

This is a philosophy that applies to modern life as well. Think about the endless cycle of upgrading and consuming. You buy the new thing, you feel good for a few days, and then you need something else. It’s a never-ending treadmill. The Spartan mentality says, “Step off the treadmill.” Real happiness isn’t found in the next purchase—it’s found in mastering your desires.

The Ultimate Warrior Mentality

We all admire warriors. We watch movies about gladiators, samurais, and Spartans because they embody something we’ve lost—strength, discipline, focus. But being a warrior isn’t just about fighting in battle. It’s about fighting the internal battle, the war against temptation, indulgence, and distraction. The real battle is fought within.

When you stop buying things for yourself, you strengthen your mind. You resist the lure of instant gratification and learn to sit with discomfort. You grow stronger because you prove to yourself that you don’t need external things to feel complete. This is the essence of the warrior mentality.

In street photography, for example, the best photographers don’t rely on fancy gear. The best camera is the one you already own. It’s not about the tools—it’s about the mindset. Are you a consumer, or are you a creator? Are you driven by external desires, or do you find satisfaction in the process itself?

Living a Spartan Life

To live like a Spartan today doesn’t mean you have to go live in the wilderness or fight in wars. It means cultivating a mindset of strength, simplicity, and self-reliance. It means understanding that buying more won’t make you happy—becoming more will.

Ask yourself: What would happen if you stopped buying things for yourself? What if you resisted the urge to consume and instead focused on creating, on giving? The more you give, the more you receive. The less you need, the more powerful you become.

Ultimately, a real Spartan never buys anything for himself because he knows that everything he needs, he already has. True strength, true satisfaction, and true fulfillment come from within—not from the things we buy, but from the people we become.

Be a Spartan. Own your life. Don’t buy it.