2-Truth Tuesday: Transforming Words, Wars Of The Soul, And A Phrase From Ancient Rome
Truth #1: Transforming Words. Re-Examining Humility
Certain words have hidden definitions that transform them completely. We then get to discover hidden meaning that most people miss.
A great example of this is the word "meek". When you think meek, you think weak. I think of a pure hearted push over. And thus, the Biblical truth, "The meek shall inherit the world" seems like a good away to keep control over the masses (that you then take advantage of).
But meek has a hidden meaning that is often overlooked. While meekness is being pure-hearted and peaceful, its gentleness is rooted in controlled strength.
Put differently from a friend, the meek are "those with swords and the ability to use them but whom choose to keep them sheathed."
And thus the phrase, "The meek shall inherit the world" is changed completely.
This got me on the outlook for other words that have an overlooked meaning.
Enter humility. What do you think of when you think of being humble?
Besides thinking of one of my favorite songs by Lil Baby (Sorry Kendrick), I also think of a person free of arrogance and pride, whom is open to feedback, and is willing to admit when they're wrong. A person with humility recognizes their limitations and thus is often of low social, administrative, and political rank (per the definition).
Lets go deeper.
Humility is also the strength to endure setbacks without letting them define our inner self-worth.
It's the recognition that, "He who has to move mountains also moves valleys."
What I mean: humility is our ultimate defense: You remain humble in victory (my self worth is not attached to my victory and thus I will not be arrogant.) Yet you also remain humble in losses (My self-worth and capabilities are not affected by external losses).
So next time you feel unworthy, or despair about your lack of success, remember this:
"You are not yet humble enough for me (your pursuit). Humility has the toughest hide."
-Nietzsche (had to get him in)
Book I'm reading: "The Three Body Problem" by Cixin Liu
Pretty epic. History, science, video games and aliens all rolled in one.
Content I'm Consuming: The Long and Violent War Against Your Soul
This is great content. The narrator's voice is David Attenboroughesque. The visuals are outstanding. You could even finish listening to it like a podcast. I'm not going to include the thumbnail, but man, that's how you compel someone to click. It's worth checking out.
Truth #2: The meaning of the aphorism "The exception that proves the rule."
I defaulted to using this phrase in conversation last week, but realized I couldn't define it. So here's the truth on the phrase.
Our journey begins in Ancient Rome:
Cicero, a Roman statesman, defended Cornelius Balbus, who was accused of illegally obtaining citizenship. The accusation claimed it was unlawful for people from certain provinces to become citizens. Cicero argued that some treaties explicitly barred citizenship for specific provinces, implying that if a treaty didn't include this ban, citizenship was allowed. Since Balbus's tribe had no such restriction, his citizenship was legal.
Explaining it in today's terms:
"If you claim that an exception to a rule exists, that must mean you accept the rule itself also exists. If you put up a sign saying "No parking on Tuesday" then you are implicitly acknowledging that parking is permitted other days."
But wait! The phrase can also be used in a rare or extraordinary case that highlights the existence of a general principle or rule by standing out as an exception to it.
What this means (great example from reddit):
"You live in the 1800s and hear a claim that your odds of dying after amputation were all but certain, but you have no evidence and no idea if that were true. But if you found out that a world class surgeon, called a genius and a miracle worker by others in his field, was praised for his staggeringly impressive success rate of 50%..." Well, he's the exception that proves the rule."
Quotes I'm pondering - (from the video above)
Though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
