Tag: A Philosophy of Life

Happiness is the proper goal for people on their first mountain. And happiness is great. But we only get one life, so we might as well use it hunting for big game: to enjoy happiness, but to surpass happiness toward joy…

Happiness is the proper goal for people on their first mountain. And happiness is great. But we only get one life, so we might as well use it hunting for big game: to enjoy happiness, but to surpass happiness toward joy…

… Happiness tends to be individual; we measure it by asking, “Are you happy?” Joy tends to be self-transcending. Happiness is something you pursue; joy is something that rises up unexpectedly and sweeps over you. Happiness comes from accomplishments; joy comes from offering gifts. Happiness fades; we get used to the things that used to make us happy. Joy doesn’t fade. To live with joy is to live with wonder, gratitude, and hope. People who are on the second mountain have been transformed. They are deeply committed. The outpouring of love has become a steady force.

The people who radiate a permanent joy have given themselves over to lives of deep and loving commitment. Giving has become their nature, and little by little they have made their souls incandescent. There’s always something flowing out of the interiority of our spirit. For some people it’s mostly fear or insecurity. For the people we call joyful, it’s mostly gratitude, delight, and kindness.“

— David Brooks From “The Second Mountain: The quest for a moral life”
No person hands out their money to passersby, but to how many do each of us hand out our lives! We’re tightfisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers.

No person hands out their money to passersby, but to how many do each of us hand out our lives! We’re tightfisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers.

— Seneca

Civilization is not about more capital accumulation per se; rather, it is about what capital accumulation allows humans to achieve…

Civilization is not about more capital accumulation per se; rather, it is about what capital accumulation allows humans to achieve…

The security of their basic needs assured, and the dangers of the environment averted, people turn their attention toward more profound aspects of life than material well‐being and the drudgery of work. They cultivate families and social ties; undertake cultural, artistic, and literary projects; and seek to offer lasting contributions to their community and the world. Civilization is not about more capital accumulation per se; rather, it is about what capital accumulation allows humans to achieve, the flourishing and freedom to seek higher meaning in life when their base needs are met and most pressing dangers averted.

From “The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking“ By: Saifedean Ammous”
Each one of us has to start out with developing his or her definition of success. And when we have these specific expectations of ourselves, we are more likely to live up to them. Ultimately it is not what you get or even what you give. It’s what you become

Each one of us has to start out with developing his or her definition of success. And when we have these specific expectations of ourselves, we are more likely to live up to them. Ultimately it is not what you get or even what you give. It’s what you become

— Mary Gates from “Inside Bill’s brain: decoding Bill Gates” episode 3 closing scene