Apr 7 (edited) • Mentality 🧠
Epictetus On Humility
“In the event that you are haled before someone wielding the reigns of power, remember that there is somebody else looking down from above, and you have to answer first to Him (Discourses 1.30).”
I infer that the ‘somebody else looking down from above’ is Epictetus’ conception of God. His message is one of humility.
I remember when I first started dating a girl ‘out of my league,’ I’d get the train back home and listen to ‘Legend’ by Drake, emphasising ‘oh my god, oh my god, if I die I’m a legend.’
I remember when I first made money online, I’d play ‘Money in the grave’ by Drake, emphasising ‘when I die put my money in the grave.’
These were strokes of my own ego and pride. It is no wonder my late teen years were so difficult and troublesome: My pride led the way.
For the most part I grew out of my own self-aggrandisement. However, this is where Epictetus’ message becomes prevalent.
I remember when I was being praised for the complexity of my degree by a Doctor from my gym. That praise struck the wrong chord in me, I worshipped my own intellect, I dropped 47% on my next exam.
I remember I was encouraged by my professor to apply for a prestigious Masters. That encouragement struck the wrong chord, again, I worshipped my own intellect, and proceeded to crash out and flop my application.
Humble yourself. Or be humbled.
I have been called intelligent, driven, strong, successful and wise by people who are more intelligent, more driven, stronger, more successful and wiser than me. THESE are the moments where the ego and pride become dangerous. I feel the urge to worship my own abilities and efforts.
When you are ‘haled’ by someone you look up to, it is easy to see yourself on their level: Up: At the top. I have been tempted to forget that there is ‘somebody else looking down from above.’ Even in the last week, catching up with friends and family I look up to, I was being praised for recent developments in my life, and began speaking a little too pridefully for my own liking, taking undue credit for the blessings which have been entrusted to me. Pride is considered the worst of the capital sins since you are momentarily feigning the place of The Highest.
Always remember to look up. Even when you feel on top of the world. No - especially when you feel on top of the world.
If you worship anything other than God (money, things, your physique, beauty, allure, power, intellect, even love) they will eat you alive.
If you do not humble yourself, you will be humbled.
A man wiser than me told me that humility is accuracy.
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Epictetus On Humility
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