{"id":44841,"date":"2017-03-27T20:37:02","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T03:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=44841"},"modified":"2017-03-27T20:37:02","modified_gmt":"2017-03-28T03:37:02","slug":"22-life-lessons-from-thucydides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/27\/22-life-lessons-from-thucydides\/","title":{"rendered":"24 Life Lessons From Thucydides"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Thucydides-red\"<\/p>\n

Life lessons from the Greek Historian, Thucydides \u00e2\u20ac\u201d who actually fought in the Peloponesian war (between the Athenians and Spartans) then wrote a history on it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here are some personal notes and lessons I’ve learned for myself, which I hope also help you:<\/p>\n

Why study Thucydides?<\/h2>\n

I feel I can learn more from history than present-day examples. Thucydides wrote his history over 2,500 years ago. If his words have existed until\u00c2\u00a0today; there must be great wisdom within.<\/p>\n

Also admirable– he actually fought in the war. He had skin in the game.<\/p>\n

Nice quote from Nietzsche on Thucydides:<\/p>\n

“Plato is a coward in the face of reality \u00e2\u20ac\u201c consequently he takes refuge in the ideal: Thucydides is a master of himself \u00e2\u20ac\u201c consequently he is able to master life.” – Nietzsche<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I like that idea– I want to become a master of myself.<\/p>\n

1. History is philosophy teaching by examples<\/h2>\n

\"Pericles'
Pericles<\/a>‘ Funeral Oration (Perikles h\u00c3\u00a4lt die Leichenrede) by Philipp Foltz (1852)<\/figcaption><\/figure>The big takeaway from Thucydides \u00e2\u20ac\u201d history isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just remembering facts from the past. Rather, to study philosophy\u00e2\u20ac\u201d via real-world examples<\/p>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153History is philosophy teaching by examples.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n \u00ef\u00bf\u00bc
\n Takeaway: What examples can I learn from the past, and remember them\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to change my future behavior?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Write for future generations<\/h2>\n

\n I have written my work not as an essay to win the applause of the moment; but as a possession for all time.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To write for the applause for the moment, and today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s generation is short-lived. Rather, seek to create works for future generations\u00e2\u20ac\u201d for humanity to possess your ideas \u00e2\u20ac\u0153for all time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Keep up the hustle for future humanity.<\/p>\n

3. Tyrannies are born from love of wealth<\/h2>\n

\n As the power of Hellas grew; and the acquisition of wealth become more an objective; the revenues of the state increasing; tyrannies were established almost everywhere.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As our power grows, we want to acquire more wealth. And as we increase our revenues, we establish more tyrannies.<\/p>\n

4. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do injustice to those who are weaker to you<\/h2>\n

Abstain from doing injustice to those weaker than you. It will show your true power:<\/p>\n

\n Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquility for an apparent temporary advantage.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Never sacrifice your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpermanent tranquility\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in life, for a short-lived advantage.<\/p>\n

5. Self-control<\/h2>\n

How do we learn to control ourselves?<\/p>\n

The first step is to be brave. Bravery leads to honor. Then honor leads to self-control:<\/p>\n

\n Self control contains honor as a chief constituent; and honor \u00e2\u20ac\u201d bravery.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If we want to control our actions in life, we must live an honorable life. To live a life full of virtue, not vice.<\/p>\n

And in order to be honorable in life, we need to disregard what others think \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and follow our own conscience. Having bravery and courage will help us pursue our honor.<\/p>\n

So to recap, the intended outcome is for us to learn more self-control and self-restraint. And the first step is bravery.<\/p>\n

Bravery -> Self-control<\/p>\n

6. The past will help us today<\/h2>\n

The point of studying history is to study the past, in order to help our present lives:<\/p>\n

\n There is no advantage in reflections on the past further than (what) may be of service to the present.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t study history or the past for the sake of it. Learn valuable lessons from the past in history, and learn how not<\/em> to make the same mistakes today.<\/p>\n

For example, what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned:<\/p>\n