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8 Timeless Lessons from Ancient Philosophers

Elvira Yuzbay
Curious
Published in
5 min readJun 2, 2023

close-up photo of a head bust
Photo by Sami Abdullah on Pexels

Ancient philosophers often inspire a sense of wonder and even puzzlement.

After all, how could wisdom so old continue to bear significance in our modern times?

And yet they persist because they echo fundamental truths about human existence. Truths that resonate through the corridors of time.

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle

Is it even possible to truly comprehend the complexities of our world without compassion and empathy?

Simply accumulating knowledge is far from true wisdom. Sterile facts and figures do not resonate with our collective human experience.

Essentially, our minds and hearts must work in unison.

Consider, for instance, a corporate executive with vast technical expertise but without empathy toward their team members.

While such a person may achieve great professional success, they may struggle to inspire and lead a team effectively.

It is only when we can connect on a human level that our experiences become more impactful and meaningful.

“No one saves us but ourselves, no one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” — Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha

This aphorism is a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of self-determination within us.

It underlines the necessity of taking ownership of our lives and relying on ourselves.

After all, if we do not take charge of our own lives, then who will?

Buddha reminds us that we should not be mere spectators of our lives but rather protagonists, proactively pursuing opportunities and actively shaping our future.

And although external support can be invaluable, true transformation only occurs when we fully commit to the change.

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Curious
Curious

Published in Curious

A community of people who are curious to find out what others have already figured out // Curious is a new personal growth publication by The Startup (https://medium.com/swlh).

Elvira Yuzbay
Elvira Yuzbay

Written by Elvira Yuzbay

Translator, educator and artist with many interests. Exploring, embracing, and growing. 🌻

Responses (60)

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Really love the way you put these "ancient" lessons into a modern perspective. I'm sorry I don't get over here as often as I do, because everytime I read something by you, I find it very enlightening. I hope you continue writing when you find the time. Cheers, E!

Such powerful quotes while shared with your beautiful awareness of the virtues in life!!! Such a powerful piece conveyed in a way that provokes others to self-reflect positively 🥰🎉✨

The lessons you shared offer timeless insights into the human condition and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. Thank you for shedding light on these timeless truths and inspiring us to reflect on our own lives in light of ancient wisdom.