(Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 1.60):
- Trust good character more than promises.
- Do not speak falsely.
- Do good things.
- Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
- Learn to obey before you command.
- When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
- Make reason your supreme commander.
- Do not associate with people who do bad things.
- Honor the gods.
- Have regard for your parents.
2 comments:
Interesting! I love 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10. I like 2 as a general rule, though I think there are rare occasions where a little dishonesty is appropriate and necessary. On 6, I'm inclined to refrain from giving advice in general. I think it's something we tend to do way too much. I don't understand 7 at all.
I agree with your caveats. Sometimes a tactful fib is the kindest thing.
I'd prefer wisdom to reason, as I think wisdom includes reason, intuition, and experience.
I also try to avoid giving advice; I prefer to say to people what choices I think they have, and reflect back their thoughts to them, and let them choose.
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