4 Happiness Lessons We Can Learn From the Ancient Greeks
Words cast spells. That’s why they are spellings.
Greek mythology is a peerless blend of science, art, philosophy, astronomy, and wisdom.
Plus, Ancient Greeks believed in a motto: ‘Eleftheria i thanatos’ (Freedom or Death). Also, in 1814, the motto became a motivating factor for Greece’s independence.
According to the Georgian calendar, we’re heading towards the 2,405th year since Aristotle was first born. It leaves us with sheer predicaments of history that uncover its true worth along the way.
- Do you know the secret ingredient that made Ancient Greeks philosophers all-powerful?
Be it Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, or Plutarch, they all abide by 3 rules: hospitality, intellect, and beauty.
Ancient Greeks believed: Intelligence and culture have the power to overthrow an empire — pity we don’t use it for our mental understanding — really!
Plethora of Greek wisdom exists with profound philosophical knowledge. But what we need right now is how to be happy, mindful of tales and trials of everyday life.
So let’s take a look at some blissful life lessons passed down from our ancient ancestors:
1. Do everything with “Agapi” (unconditional love)
According to Hippocrates: “life is short, the art long.”
If we spend our days like a brick has been pressed upon us, we’re wasting the art of mindful living.
Also, the only thing that stays after us is art. Are you able to do something you love?
If not, then you’re leaving no *legacy* behind you.
Many people, like Shakespeare, faced hardship making it up to the world when alive. But as soon as he died, the world started acknowledging his work.
The spice was that he already had done his part.
Ancient Greeks, like Plato and Hippocrates, never knew there’d be an age where people would circulate their quotes on mobile and make TV shows out of their wisdom.
Just suppose how they would feel if they were alive today witnessing? Smiling like an ape with a tooth cavity?
We will reach heights if we do everything with unconditional love (Agapi). Our work will get noticed, even after we die.
Because other than air and soil, art is the only thing known to penetrate decades.
2. Control your words, or it will control you
Plato grew up during the Peloponnesian war.
He always believed that our life could go wrong in large parts if we don’t mediate our actions.
That’s when he stated:
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
According to him, everybody speaks.
But how *well* you speak sets you apart. Do you talk to dust off accusations, or do you have a solid point to propose?
One thing I’ve almost noted in Ancient Greek lessons is to master the art of speaking. Speak only because you have to.
You don’t have to say something. Silence itself says a lot of words.
So if you’re going to shed words with energy, better it be:
- Intellectual, and
- Full of wisdom
Remember: words, cast spells. That’s why they are spellings.
3. Choose your enemies wisely
Our mother’s love is unconditional.
When you slide your hair backward with your palms pressed and it ultimately parts from the center, your mother is the one to let you know you look handsome.
Mother never notices the awful in you — never. No one in the world will love you like your parents.
So, it’s 2 people against the 7.9 billion population.
Antisthenes adds:
“Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes.”
Our wrongdoings often get unnoticed by our friends and family. Funny how it always gets caught in the ‘fishnet of enemies.’
They are always looking out for you, mimicking your every move.
Remember, you’re not a politician, but still, people want to take you down.
- What if you were?
- Would you then adopt a new set of rules?
That would be hard. The best way is to stay close to your enemies. Make them your friends.
An enemy always looks great as an advisor and a friend. But for that, you need to maintain emotional boundaries.
From personal experiences, enemies are likelier to replicate and observe you than your real friends.
Why do you want to keep such an asset in the trashcan? Think!
4. There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
As Plato utters:
“There are two things a person should never be angry at; what they can help and what they cannot.”
Life is quite unpredictable.
One moment, we think we’re happy. But when we think about it, it’s already in the past.
Time travels fast. Troubles only leave a (residue) of guilt, emotions, and bitterness.
Problems in our lives are a countereffect of things others did. Your kid/sibling is unhappy because someone stole a ham sandwich you beautifully packed for lunch. Hmm …
You asked her to contact the principal, but she refused.
Now, what can you do at the moment? Our everyday lives are shaped so that others’ problems acquire a greater part of our responsibility than our own. And for things we can not change, we become helpless.
As Ivan Nuru says: “If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too.”
Unless you’re an angel, there’s no point in solving missions you are not assigned. Focus on the tasks you can solve.
Remember that most social problems are solved by a single solution: ignorance. Leave your issues for some moment, and the air will cool down on its own. Try it.
A problem stays a problem if you refuse to look for a solution.
Final thoughts:
Aristotle believed: “The power of teaching is the one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge.”
If you have an abundance of knowledge, keep *spreading* it. Teaching helps your brain register the words. Of course, what’s the use of wisdom if you never aim to share?
- It will simply eradicate.
So if you want your teachings alive, learn to share. A learned individual is like holding a nightlamp in a musky desert — a hope.
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