Time Doesn’t Make Everything Better...It Just Makes Them What They Are
The Daily Stoic25 Loka 2018

Time Doesn’t Make Everything Better...It Just Makes Them What They Are

When we get dumped or we fail or we lose someone, we often hear that “Time heals all wounds” or some such remark, all of it in consolation. Obviously this is meant well, but it’s also frustrating--if only because it’s trite...and way too simple.

As Rilke wrote, “Time does not ‘console’ as people say superficially; at best it puts things in their place and it creates order.” There is a Zen story about a man whose horse ran away. People said it was bad luck. Then the horse came back, which people thought was good luck, and then his son broke his leg while falling off it and people thought that was bad luck come round again. But because his leg was broken, the man’s son was saved from fighting and dying in a war, and the cycle went on and on.

Time doesn’t make things better or worse, it simply makes them what they are. That’s why the Stoics talk about not rushing to judgment about anything, about waiting and seeing. Because we don’t know. Just giving something time isn’t automatically going to make it better--but it does at least give things a chance to shake out, for us to see the full picture. If there is one aphorism about time that we CAN rely on, that the Stoics would agree with, it's that 'time will tell.'

That’s the moral of the Zen story too. Trying to label things as good luck or bad luck is shortsighted. It assumes that all the facts have been entered into evidence. It’s better to hold off on forming an opinion, because fate is constantly unfolding around us, and today’s bad luck may very well be setting up tomorrow’s good luck (and vice versa).

Time isn’t a panacea, but it is a form of truth. So watch for it. Time will, in fact, tell.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(2886)

Run Down The List. Where Are They Now?

Run Down The List. Where Are They Now?

It’s been generations upon generations now. For thousands and thousands of years, humans have been doing the same things, the Stoics observed. Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscr...

3 Syys 20253min

This Is The Most Important Virtue | A Hard Winter Training

This Is The Most Important Virtue | A Hard Winter Training

Wisdom is not a destination. It’s a method—a practice, a lifelong commitment to learning, questioning, and improving.📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Take...

2 Syys 202510min

Go Out And Do This Today | A Strong Soul Is Better Than Good Luck

Go Out And Do This Today | A Strong Soul Is Better Than Good Luck

Take your much deserved break today. We are human beings after all, not human doings. 👉 Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free list...

1 Syys 20258min

You Are What You Won't Do For Money

You Are What You Won't Do For Money

If your money is stained in blood, you are not free. You really don't know who you are until you know what you won't do for money.Read today's episode here: https://ryanholiday.net/you-are-what-you-wo...

31 Elo 202517min

Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously | Chad Goes Deep

Stop Taking Yourself So Seriously | Chad Goes Deep

What can a comedian teach you about ego, shame, and philosophy? In today’s episode, Ryan sits down with Chad from Going Deep with Chad and JT to talk about the hilarious way they met, why playing a ch...

30 Elo 20251h 17min

It Begs To Linger | Ryan Holiday Visited The BEST Swimming Pools All Over The World (Here's What He Learned)

It Begs To Linger | Ryan Holiday Visited The BEST Swimming Pools All Over The World (Here's What He Learned)

Once you let anger into your life, once you let it motivate or animate you, it’s very hard to get rid of. It’s hard to find a substitute that measures up. It’s hard to let it go.🪙 Carry The Daily Sto...

29 Elo 202517min

What Example Are You Setting? | Ask Daily Stoic

What Example Are You Setting? | Ask Daily Stoic

What good are you doing? What courage are you showing? 👉 Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early access, and bonus ...

28 Elo 20259min

BONUS | The State of The Daily Stoic Podcast

BONUS | The State of The Daily Stoic Podcast

It’s been eight years since The Daily Stoic Podcast launched. In today’s bonus episode, Ryan looks back on the journey to 2,600+ episodes and shares what’s next.👉 Support the podcast and go deeper in...

28 Elo 202533min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-rahamania
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
juristipodi
rss-seuraava-potilas
pomojen-suusta
taloudellinen-mielenrauha
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
leadcast
yrittaja
rss-lahtijat
rss-myyntikoulu
rss-sisalto-kuntoon
oppimisen-psykologia
rss-h-asselmoilanen
rss-bisnespaiva
rss-paasipodi