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

Episoder(2887)

It’ll Come For You Eventually | How To Read Better (10 Rules From Ryan Holiday)

It’ll Come For You Eventually | How To Read Better (10 Rules From Ryan Holiday)

Sooner or later, it catches up with you. When you compromise with bad people, their consequences become yours. 📚 Sign up for Ryan’s free monthly reading list newsletter: https://ryanholiday.net/the-r...

22 Aug 202515min

These Are Three Ancient Stoic Secrets | Ask Daily Stoic

These Are Three Ancient Stoic Secrets | Ask Daily Stoic

Without wisdom, the other virtues cannot truly flourish—it is wisdom that guides our courage, moderates our discipline, and directs our sense of justice. Come see Ryan Holiday LIVE in Austin, Texas on...

21 Aug 202513min

Is This Really Worth The Cost?

Is This Really Worth The Cost?

We can’t let our accomplishments fool us into thinking that we are immortal, that we can outthink, outrun, outwork death. 📚 The ebook edition of Ryan Holiday's Ego Is the Enemy is just $1.99 for a li...

20 Aug 20252min

The Hard Truth About Character | General Stanley McChrystal (PT. 1)

The Hard Truth About Character | General Stanley McChrystal (PT. 1)

We control who we are. We control what we do. We control the standards we hold ourselves to. Ryan sits down with retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal to talk about the thing that makes or brea...

20 Aug 202545min

Why Are You Going Through Life This Way? | Just Say No To Future Misery

Why Are You Going Through Life This Way? | Just Say No To Future Misery

A pause creates space. A pause creates clarity. A pause can change everything.🪙 Carry The Daily Stoic Pause & Reflect Medallion as a reminder to stop and take a breathe. | Grab The Daily Stoic Pause ...

19 Aug 20259min

Can You Believe We Can Do This? | Only Fools Rush In

Can You Believe We Can Do This? | Only Fools Rush In

We’re doing better than it sometimes feels. Let us marvel at the cooperation that is possible—considering the flawed and petty humans it depends on. 📚 Books Mentioned: Zero to One by Peter ThielLives...

18 Aug 20258min

Maybe You CAN Make More Time

Maybe You CAN Make More Time

The Stoics remind us that time, especially the time we’re healthy and able to actually enjoy life, is our most valuable resource. But knowing that isn’t enough.🎥 Watch Robert and Ryan's conversation...

17 Aug 202517min

When Good People Lose Themselves to Tyrants | James Romm (PT. 2)

When Good People Lose Themselves to Tyrants | James Romm (PT. 2)

History has a way of looking calmer than it really was. In this PT. 2 episode, Ryan sits down with historian and author James Romm to talk about the messy, dangerous, and often absurd reality of life ...

16 Aug 202554min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

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