The Wisdom and strength in who we are is the spirit of the Soul. That is our wealth, it is who we are. The Stoic community of support, is Love, we are enough in the world
This is so true. Many athletes and celebrities are awesome at what they do and if we normal guys tried to beat them at their game, we'd be crushed, even those of us with experience in that area. These people simply are that great...at that one thing. They could be complete wrecks spiritually. Many are and have been exposed as such. Work on a good spirit and keep going.
The comment about the Spartans reminds me of a scene in To Kill A Mockingbird, which I watched for the first time recently. It’s the dinner scene where a boy from school is a guest. The daughter, Scout, comments on how much he’s eating.
Her father, Atticus Finch, just says her name in that special tone, that long draw out way fathers do to still a child whose mouth runneth over (whereas mothers tend to snap out their kid’s name like a biting bark, solely in my personal experience of course).
The maid, Calpurnia, takes Scout into the kitchen into the kitchen to remind her that guests can eat the table, if they want, without observations from fellow diners.
I loved it. The real Miss Manners taught the same philosophy: treat guests with respect and dignity and do not judge them.
My mother was a natural stoic like her parents, so she raised us to have good table manners. Of course she also had me, the older boy, sit in her place at the other end of the dinner table opposite my father when I was 13 or 14. In retrospect, for many reasons, I don’t think that was a good idea. But hey, it was the 70s, which was still like the 50s in much of rural America.
Of course the Spartan comment also reminded me of a comment in the movie 300 where all the Spartans look like bodybuilders wearing nothing more than loincloths and capes. As a gay man I greatly appreciated how the filmmakers striving for historical accuracy. But then one of them said to a visiting Trojan diplomat something to the effect of, “We are not boy lovers like you men in Troy!” and I thought … WHAT!?!
I guess not all Spartans were polite to their guests.
Then they threw the poor guy into a bottomless pit because they didn’t like whatever he’d told them, and as a former journalist I thought DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE THE MESSAGE!!! Though I guess in this case I should have thought DON’T THROW A MESSENGER INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE THE MESSAGE!!!
But I’ve digressed, haven’t I? How unstoic of me. I do apologize. I am trying, though. For instance, at this very moment I’m concentrating on letting go of the frustration I’m feeling about construction just outside my apartment window that started at 9 o’clock on a Saturday morning! Just let it go, I’m telling myself. Let it go…
In my own experience, "greatness" can be an ego-trap. As a result, I'm personally disinclined to view the spiritual realm as a competitive arena where someone can beat me. If I sense someone further along "the middle path" or "the way", or someone more spiritually expansive (if you will) than me, I try to accept, learn and grow.
I'm really glad I found this substack. It helps me on my journey - thank you 🙏
You can’t always beat the odds, but you can always outclass them.
Life hands out uneven starting lines, but character is the great equalizer. You can’t change your stats, but you can always raise your game in kindness and resilience.
📌 Greatness is measured in how you play, not just what you’re dealt.
⬖ Stacking the deck with virtue at Frequency of Reason: bit.ly/4jTVv69
As always nuggets of wisdom- thank you
True greatness isn’t proven. It’s expressed—quietly, from within.
You don’t need to perform what you know. You only need to assume the state of the one who lives it. Not to impress, but because it’s who you are.
Let your character speak for you. Let your spirit do the work.
That’s the only kind of success that lasts.
~ Kurt Juman 🕊️
Beautiful and true
What a beautiful piece! I hope to read this sort more.
The Wisdom and strength in who we are is the spirit of the Soul. That is our wealth, it is who we are. The Stoic community of support, is Love, we are enough in the world
Amazing and beautifully written
In a landscape filled to bursting with performative gestures, your message is a reassuring, healing balm. Thank you.
Coincidence?
My latest entry (18/7/2025) was about my fascination with Carmen Sandiego 😄
Not coincidence 😂 I read your piece this morning and you inspired the artwork. I used to get mad when an episode of the show ended.
❤️
This is so true. Many athletes and celebrities are awesome at what they do and if we normal guys tried to beat them at their game, we'd be crushed, even those of us with experience in that area. These people simply are that great...at that one thing. They could be complete wrecks spiritually. Many are and have been exposed as such. Work on a good spirit and keep going.
Love with contentment is great gain.
This felt like Marcus Aurelius and Mister Rogers co-wrote a locker room speech—and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Thank you for reminding us that character isn’t a consolation prize. It’s the real contest.
Let them have the trophies. We’ll take the soul scars and the silent strength that doesn’t need applause.
No one gets to outspirit us.
The comment about the Spartans reminds me of a scene in To Kill A Mockingbird, which I watched for the first time recently. It’s the dinner scene where a boy from school is a guest. The daughter, Scout, comments on how much he’s eating.
Her father, Atticus Finch, just says her name in that special tone, that long draw out way fathers do to still a child whose mouth runneth over (whereas mothers tend to snap out their kid’s name like a biting bark, solely in my personal experience of course).
The maid, Calpurnia, takes Scout into the kitchen into the kitchen to remind her that guests can eat the table, if they want, without observations from fellow diners.
I loved it. The real Miss Manners taught the same philosophy: treat guests with respect and dignity and do not judge them.
My mother was a natural stoic like her parents, so she raised us to have good table manners. Of course she also had me, the older boy, sit in her place at the other end of the dinner table opposite my father when I was 13 or 14. In retrospect, for many reasons, I don’t think that was a good idea. But hey, it was the 70s, which was still like the 50s in much of rural America.
Of course the Spartan comment also reminded me of a comment in the movie 300 where all the Spartans look like bodybuilders wearing nothing more than loincloths and capes. As a gay man I greatly appreciated how the filmmakers striving for historical accuracy. But then one of them said to a visiting Trojan diplomat something to the effect of, “We are not boy lovers like you men in Troy!” and I thought … WHAT!?!
I guess not all Spartans were polite to their guests.
Then they threw the poor guy into a bottomless pit because they didn’t like whatever he’d told them, and as a former journalist I thought DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE THE MESSAGE!!! Though I guess in this case I should have thought DON’T THROW A MESSENGER INTO A BOTTOMLESS PIT BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE THE MESSAGE!!!
But I’ve digressed, haven’t I? How unstoic of me. I do apologize. I am trying, though. For instance, at this very moment I’m concentrating on letting go of the frustration I’m feeling about construction just outside my apartment window that started at 9 o’clock on a Saturday morning! Just let it go, I’m telling myself. Let it go…
In my own experience, "greatness" can be an ego-trap. As a result, I'm personally disinclined to view the spiritual realm as a competitive arena where someone can beat me. If I sense someone further along "the middle path" or "the way", or someone more spiritually expansive (if you will) than me, I try to accept, learn and grow.
I'm really glad I found this substack. It helps me on my journey - thank you 🙏
You can’t always beat the odds, but you can always outclass them.
Life hands out uneven starting lines, but character is the great equalizer. You can’t change your stats, but you can always raise your game in kindness and resilience.
📌 Greatness is measured in how you play, not just what you’re dealt.
⬖ Stacking the deck with virtue at Frequency of Reason: bit.ly/4jTVv69