20 Quotes That Changed My Perspective

Reflections that have shaped my life

🏷️ Categories: Literature, Life lessons.

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It has happened to me again.

A few days ago, while reading my Zettelkasten notes, I came across some quotes that I have already read many times, but that keep resonating with me again and again. Whenever I read them, they make me think and I identify with them.

In a way they have defined my way of being and thinking.

They are quotations from different parts of the world, from works of all kinds, which go beyond what is usually spoken of in philosophy, which is Western philosophy. There is Western thought, yes, but also Indian, Arabic, Far Eastern...

Here are the 20 most inspiring quotes I have read.

Socrates

Socrates was a Greek thinker known for his teaching method based on dialogue and constant questioning. According to him, knowledge came from questioning our beliefs. He left nothing written and what is known about him is thanks to Plato and other authors of the time.

“He who holds a true opinion without understanding it is like a blind man on the right path.” - The Republic

Knowing something without understanding it deeply is dangerous. In the information age, it is easy to repeat ideas without questioning them. But philosophy teaches us to dig deeper, to seek the reason behind every belief. Understanding empowers us.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Apologia

If we don't stop to question our actions and values, we live on autopilot. Reflecting on our life gives us direction and allows us to improve day by day. A life without reflection is a shallow life in which we go with the flow without knowing that we could be going in the wrong direction.

Plato

Founder of the Academy of Athens, disciple of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. His dialogues deal with essential issues of life, such as justice, truth, beauty and knowledge. Western thought is said to be annotations on Plato, because on him everything else has been built.

“No human thing is of serious importance.” - The Republic

In a world where everything seems urgent, remembering that most concerns are ephemeral gives us freedom of mind. We worry too much about minutiae and forget the essentials. If something overwhelms you, think about how important it will be in 10 minutes, 10 days and 10 weeks. You'll be surprised how fleeting things are.

“The price of disengaging from politics is to be governed by the worst.” - The Republic

Political apathy is a decision in itself. If we do not participate, we leave power in the hands of those who do not necessarily seek the common good. History is full of examples where indifference allowed the rise of people who led society down destructive paths.

Aristotle

Aristotle (384-322 BC) was one of the most influential thinkers of antiquity. He was Alexander the Great's teacher and his ideas on logic, ethics and politics were key to Western thought. 2000 years later, his ideas are still relevant.

“I consider braver the one who conquers his desires than the one who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is the victory over oneself.” - Nicomachean Ethics

Self-discipline is the key to personal growth. Mastering our impulses gives us freedom. Overcoming internal temptations requires more courage than any external battle, for it involves facing our own nature.

“Too little courage is cowardice and too much courage is foolhardiness” - Nicomachean Ethics.

Balance is fundamental in life. Acting without courage leaves us paralyzed in the face of challenges, but being reckless leads us to make unnecessary mistakes. Virtue lies in finding the middle ground between both extremes.

Epictetus

Epictetus (55-135 AD) was a Stoic philosopher who taught that the key to happiness lies in accepting what we cannot change and focusing on what depends on us. He left nothing written down; all that is known came from his disciples.

“First think what you want to be; and then do what you have to do.” - Enquiridion

Clarity of vision is essential. If we don't know where we are going, any path will seem right. This quote reminds us that before we act, we must have a clear purpose.

“Never ask for things to be done the way you want them to be, seek to want them the way they are.” - Enquiridion

Resistance to reality only brings us suffering. Accepting things as they are, instead of wishing they were different, allows us to act with serenity and find real solutions instead of getting stuck in frustration.

Confucius

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese thinker whose teachings on morality, respect for hierarchies and the importance of education have been crucial to the Eastern world. He has shaped culture, politics and social relations in Asia.

“The wise person is informed of what is right, the ignorant, of what suits him.” - Analects

Wisdom goes beyond self-interest. It means acting with principle, even if it does not immediately benefit us. Confucius teaches us that knowledge without ethics lacks true value.

“Great people are modest when they speak, but generous when they act."- Analects

Truly great people do not seek recognition with words, but demonstrate their greatness through their actions. In a world where many talk more than they do, this teaching reminds us that real impact comes from our actions, not our promises.

Lao Tse

Lao Tse was a Chinese thinker, traditionally considered the founder of Taoism and author of the Tao Te Ching or Dào Dé Jing. His teaching focuses on the search for harmony, simplicity and humility. He is a key figure in Chinese philosophy.

“A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.” - Dào Dé Jing

No matter how big a dream, it all starts with one small action. The key is to begin. This phrase is a reminder that progress happens little by little.

“The master is available to all people and does not turn anyone away. He is willing to use all situations and wastes nothing.” - Dào Dé Jing

In life, we tend to dismiss situations or people that don't fit our expectations, but every experience, even the difficult ones, can teach us something. If we learn to see opportunities in everything, we will grow with every challenge instead of resisting it.

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (ca. 544-496 B.C.) was a Chinese military strategist with a pragmatic mindset, centered on the importance of being adaptable. His work, The Art of War, gives timeless lessons applicable on and off the battlefield.

“Treat your troops as you would treat your beloved sons and they will follow you into the deepest valley.” - The Art of War

Leadership based on respect and care engenders genuine loyalty. Those who lead with compassion succeed in inspiring their followers to do their best, even in adverse circumstances.

“You lead by example, not by force.” - The Art of War

Real leadership is not imposed; it is earned through consistent and ethical actions. A true leader inspires confidence with his or her conduct, not with authoritarian orders.

Zhuang Zi

Zhuang Zi (369-286 BC) was a Taoist philosopher whose work is based on stories through which he introduces philosophical reflections. He was a key figure in Taoism and is widely studied in the Chinese tradition.

“A frog in a well cannot conceive of the ocean.” - Book of Zhuang Zi

Our perspective is limited by our experience. To grow, we must open ourselves to new ideas and challenge our own beliefs. Often, we cling to what we know without considering that there is a wider world out there.

“Learning but not being able to practice is called disease.” - Book of Zhuang Zi

Knowledge without application is sterile. Learning something without putting it into practice leaves us in a state of intellectual paralysis, where we accumulate information without it actually transforming our actions. Wisdom is not in knowing a lot, but in applying what we know in our daily lives.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred text of Hinduism where the god Krishna educates the warrior Arjuna in lessons about life and duty. It is an immensely long work of which I only read some passages. Here are the highlights.

“You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your work. As is your work, so is your destiny.”

Our identity and destiny are built with every decision we make. Choosing well from the beginning takes us further. This phrase invites us to reflect on how our intentions shape our lives.

“Among thousands, hardly one strives for perfection.”

Excellence is rare because it requires discipline, sacrifice and constant effort. Most choose the easy path, but those who strive for continuous improvement are the ones who truly leave their mark.

Al-Kindi

Al-Kindi (801-873 AD) was an Arab philosopher, mathematician and astronomer considered the father of Islamic philosophy. He lived during the Abbasid caliphate and played a key role in the transmission of Greek knowledge to the Islamic world, translating and commenting on works by Aristotle and Plato.

“We should not blush to find truth beautiful, to acquire truth wherever it comes from, even if it comes from races distant from us and from different nations” (Adamson, 2006).

Truth has no owner. Accepting wisdom, regardless of its origin, makes us better. In a world where cultural differences can divide us, this teaching is more relevant than ever.

Ibn Hazm

Ibn Hazm (994-1064 AD) was an Andalusian scholar born in the Caliphate of Cordoba whose writings encompass philosophy, theology and ethics. His work was seminal in the Islamic philosophy of Al-Andalus.

“For wealth, status and health, compare yourself with those below you. For faith, science and virtue, compare yourself with those above you.”

Happiness is in knowing where to look. If we want to grow, we must look to those who surpass us in values, not in wealth.

✍️ Your turn: Which phrase always goes with you, represents you and you never forget?

💭 Quote of the day: Not today, for obvious reasons 😆.

See you next time! 👋

References 📚

1. Adamson, P. (2006). Al-Kindi. Oxford University Press.

2. Aristóteles. Ética a Nicómaco.

3. Bhagavad Gita

4. Confucio. Analectas.

5. Epicteto. Enquiridión. Anthropos Editorial.

6. Ibn Hazm. Moral Behavior in Islam. URL

7. Lao Tse. Dao de Jing: The Book of the Way. California University Press.

8. Platón. Diálogos.

9. Sun Tzu. El arte de la guerra.

10. The Complete Works of Zhuangzi. Columbia University Press.