We Take The Bitter To Get To The Sweets
The Daily Stoic22 Okt 2018

We Take The Bitter To Get To The Sweets

“The hunter worthy of the name always willingly takes the bitter if by so doing he can get the sweet, and gladly balances failure and success, spurning the poorer souls who know neither.”

Theodore Roosevelt was talking about the philosophy of hunting when he said this, but he was also describing his philosophy of life. This is how the Stoic looks at things as well.

So much of life is outside of our control, and indeed much of that is bitter. We set out to do something and we are quickly beset by challenges, by loss, by other people’s frustrating tendency to think about themselves over our needs. Yet we continue to put up with this. Not just because we have to, but because we know what’s on the other side is wonderful: friendships, success, excellence, life-changing experiences.

It is said that Marcus Aurelius was dour, but his Meditations is full of odes to the many sweets of life. Seneca’s writing, too, captures life’s great balancing act--he speaks of how unpredictable and unfair fate can be just as eloquently as he speaks of joy and flourishing.

If today ends up being another one of those days for you, try to remember what Roosevelt was talking about. Try saying to yourself, ‘I am taking the bitter to get to the sweet.’ Say, ‘It all balances out and I am lucky to have both when so many have neither.’ In this way you will not only grow stronger and more able to endure any misfortune that comes your way, but you will also be more grateful for and appreciative of the gifts you are given as well.


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

Episoder(2880)

The Age of Catos is Gone (or Is It?) | Ryan Holiday Owes Everything To This One Book

The Age of Catos is Gone (or Is It?) | Ryan Holiday Owes Everything To This One Book

It always feels like the traditional values are slipping away…Maybe they are. Maybe they aren’t. 📕 Pick up your own Premium Leather Edition of Meditations - Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays Translation)...

30 Jan 14min

This is the Day You Start | What Does Living A Virtuous Life Look Like?

This is the Day You Start | What Does Living A Virtuous Life Look Like?

Sometimes life happens, but here’s your second chance. Now is the best time to start being the person you want to be. Let’s not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge ...

29 Jan 17min

Bert Kreischer Has a Stoicism Problem

Bert Kreischer Has a Stoicism Problem

Bert Kreischer wants to be Stoic. It just doesn’t come naturally. In this episode, he talks with Ryan about why Stoicism feels almost impossible for him, why criticism still gets under his skin, his h...

28 Jan 45min

Do You Think They Liked It?

Do You Think They Liked It?

This is what philosophy is about, what discipline is as a virtue: Doing things you don’t want to do.Let’s not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge is opening back up...

28 Jan 3min

We Have to Care About the Little Guy | A Stoic Reset for Right Now

We Have to Care About the Little Guy | A Stoic Reset for Right Now

Forget party, forget class, forget any perceived differences: We must speak loudly and with one voice against those who intimidate, those who violate, those who abuse and discriminate. If we’re not go...

27 Jan 20min

Discipline is Doing It Anyway | The Power of Mantra

Discipline is Doing It Anyway | The Power of Mantra

You’re tired. You’re busy. It would be easier to stay home...It’s the perfect excuse. Unless, of course, you are disciplined.Let’s not write the year off just yet. The Daily Stoic New Year New You cha...

26 Jan 8min

Feeling Scared and Overwhelmed? Start Here

Feeling Scared and Overwhelmed? Start Here

Pain and hardship are part of life. From ancient Greece and Rome to now, people have faced plagues, wars, illness, and loss. The question has never been how to avoid it, but how to endure it and find ...

25 Jan 15min

Jaimie Alexander: “I Was Asked If I Wanted to Live or Die”

Jaimie Alexander: “I Was Asked If I Wanted to Live or Die”

You’ve seen Jaimie Alexander as the tough, unstoppable character on screen, but what was happening off camera tells a completely different story. In this episode, Ryan sits down with actress Jaimie fo...

24 Jan 1h 4min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
utbytte
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
pengesnakk
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
okonomiamatorene
rss-sunn-okonomi
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
lederpodden
rss-markedspuls-2
rss-andelige-tanker-med-camillo
rss-impressions-2
rss-fa-makro