If I asked you to name a philosopher, you probably wouldn’t say Pythagoras.
You know his theorem, whether it was imprinted on your brain thanks to a geometry teacher or by the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, who spontaneously recited it upon receiving his brain.
His work not only inspired the likes of Copernicus, Newton, and Einstein, but also paved the way for Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.
Pythagoras coined the term philosopher to describe himself as a “lover of wisdom.” He encapsulated this love in a brief, insightful reflection on the role of philosophy in human life:
“Some are influenced by the love of wealth while others are blindly led on by the mad fever for power and domination, but the finest type of man gives himself up to discovering the meaning and purpose of life itself. He seeks to uncover the secrets of nature. This is the man I call a philosopher for although no man is completely wise in all respects, he can love wisdom as the key to nature’s secrets.”
One of the greatest pieces of advice around finding success comes down to this philosophical principle: know yourself.
In taking the time to know yourself, you’ll be better prepared for whatever you’re met with.
Career change? Romantic decisions? Ethical dilemmas?
If you know yourself, your purpose and principles will be rock solid and can guide you in any situation, however uncertain the world around you may feel.
When you find your purpose, it becomes the guiding force behind everything you do.
