Today’s wisdom is from Marcus Aurelius and Meditations. I’ve been delving into this book lately, and it’s been delivering in spades: the advice a sage, transported to the postmodern world. The following quote is relevant to all of us:
The art of true living is more like a wrestler’s, than a dancer’s practice.
So very true.
You’re fighting a war. The sooner you realize this, the better. And you’re surrounded by people that want to destroy you…to see your happiness lying in waste. They despise your happy wife, your sexual pleasure, and your healthy children.
Who are these people? A miserable lot, one and all. They stare at you from the television screen, watching your every move. They wait for you in the pages of a newspaper, or the darkness of a movie theater. They hang a seditious bait in front of your face, hoping that you’ll grab it. They can only be satisfied when your life is living hell…much like theirs.
So you must rise, my soldier. Kick out of the chokehold! Break free of the leg lock! You’re a wrestler…a grappler in the game of life. You strive for a championship belt? Then make it a reality today! Know every moment is a battle…every second a firefight.
It’s time to be a wrestler again.
See Related Article: On the Dangers of Sophistry
Major Styles 
Just about to start reading 1984 again!
There’s a wonderful excerpt from the novel: the ‘2+2=5″ line. This book is better appreciated by adults than teenagers.
Most things are more appreciated by adults than by teenagers😂
I taught Animal Farm at a high school in my early thirties. I remembered little of it as a teenager, but as an adult I was laughing out loud (with approval, of course).
or understood. it was actually the argument my daughter and her friend used in middle school to persuade me to allow her to read books i wasn’t sure she should read. as i thought about it i realized that kids just do not ‘get’ what adults do. so i let her read them. (i also factored in her personality, but that was the argument that won her that freedom )
yes!
and from Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Wonderful excerpts. I’ve always felt that scriptural Christianity is the most accurate expression on the nature of life.
I really enjoyed this post! This reminded me of the hardworking versus privileged people debate. It’s very interesting to look at life in that way.
Marcus Aurelius is on the very short Ton approved reading list
Yes, it’s wonderful. An important read for the modern man.
LOL I ain’t interested in producing modern men