An aphorism

[Species8472]

He who seeks the truth seeks God. He who seeks the world seeks his own lies. Man believes that he has dominion over the earth, yet he does not realize that he has not dominion over himself; for if he had dominion over himself he would not have let wickedness out of his own treasury.

 

[TeddyKGB]

Does the aphorism represent your opinions?

 

[Species8472]

Does the aphorism represent your opinions?

No. An aphorism represents concise wisdom.

 

[TeddyKGB]

No. An aphorism represents concise wisdom.

Then what you have written, I submit, is not an aphorism. I see opinions, not wisdom.

 

[Species8472]

Then what you have written, I submit, is not an aphorism. I see opinions, not wisdom.

The fool sees not the same tree as the wise man.
You're right I'm the fool. Pleased to meet you.

 

[Eudaimonist]

He who seeks the truth seeks God. He who seeks the world seeks his own lies. Man believes that he has dominion over the earth, yet he does not realize that he has not dominion over himself; for if he had dominion over himself he would not have let wickedness out of his own treasury.

Assuming here that "seeking dominion over the earth" means believing one able to get away with deception or unethical behavior just because one has political power, then I agree with your aphorism. I will even call it wisdom.

However, I hope that seeking "dominion" in the sense of setting up ethically principled governments or enterprises would not be out of line.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Species8472]

Assuming here that "seeking dominion over the earth" means believing one able to get away with deception or unethical behavior just because one has political power, then I agree with your aphorism. I will even call it wisdom.

However, I hope that seeking "dominion" in the sense of setting up ethically principled governments or enterprises would not be out of line.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Just as long as the ethics come from a divine place and not the typical human mind.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Just as long as the ethics come from a divine place and not the typical human mind.

Would you agree with Aristotle here:

If intellect is divine, then, in comparison with man, the life according to it is divine in comparison with human life. But we must not follow those who advise us, being men, to think of human things, and, being mortal, of mortal things, but must, so far as we can, make ourselves immortal, and strain every nerve to live in accordance with the best thing in us; for even if it be small in bulk, much more does it in power and worth surpass everything.

Nicomachean Ethics, Book X

eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Species8472]

Would you agree with Aristotle here:




eudaimonia,

Mark

I agree.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I agree.

Cool.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Species8472]

Cool.


eudaimonia,

Mark

You spelt cool wrong. It's actually kewl. Just kidding.

 

[michabo]

He who seeks the truth seeks God. He who seeks the world seeks his own lies. Man believes that he has dominion over the earth, yet he does not realize that he has not dominion over himself; for if he had dominion over himself he would not have let wickedness out of his own treasury.

If this is "wisdom", does that mean you believe it to be true?

How do you know?

 

[Species8472]

If this is "wisdom", does that mean you believe it to be true?

How do you know?

It depends upon the answer that you're looking for in wisdom. What wisdom sings to you? I suppose if I spoke of the world then you would believe me, saying that man has dominion over the earth; and that you would believe. However, I speak not of the world; rather I speak, as to say, that man has not dominion over himself. This you would not believe because you want to be in control of yourself, yet, you do not realize wisdom when it speaks.

 

[michabo]

It depends upon the answer that you're looking for in wisdom. What wisdom sings to you?

So you consider things to have wisdom if they agree with you. I see...

It seems this aphorism says more about you than it does about the world.

 

[Species8472]

So you consider things to have wisdom if they agree with you. I see...

It seems this aphorism says more about you than it does about the world.

I consider things to have wisdom if they agree with the truth. And Jesus Christ is the Truth. And in his Truth do I agree; for he says if the eye be single then the whole body be filled with light. If the eye be evil then the whole body be filled with darkness and how great is that darkness!...and then he goes on to say, it is out of the excess of mind that men bring wickedness out of their treasuries. This is in agreement with what I spoke of. I am not the truth but I am in agreement with the truth, that of which is Jesus Christ, Our Lord, and savior.
Now that I have spoken to you about my Lord; it is now that you are in disagreement with me and deny that he is the Lord.
It seems that this aphorism says more about you than it does about me.

 

[Verv]

I'd also like to point out some good wisdom from Lao-tzu, which noted that to change the world is an absolutely impossible task, and he who goes about attempting to change the world (or have dominion over it) in any political or philosophical sense is doomed from the beginning.

 

[Species8472]

I'd also like to point out some good wisdom from Lao-tzu, which noted that to change the world is an absolutely impossible task, and he who goes about attempting to change the world (or have dominion over it) in any political or philosophical sense is doomed from the beginning.

That is sound wisdom, my friend!