Socrates reminds us to think for ourselves

On this day in 399 BC, ancient Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death.  The charges were that he was corrupting the youth and did not believe in the gods of the time.

Socrates questioned the way things were and asked others to do the same.  He was the father of debate and cross-examining ideas.  He asked his students, including Plato, to think critically and scrutinize their lives.  Not to believe what the world was telling them without thinking in through.  He taught the idea that doing the right thing was more important than being a monetary success.  That happiness comes from the journey, not the destination.

Socrates said…

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

“To find yourself, think for yourself.”

Thinking for ourselves is paramount.  We must find our own truth.  We must ask questions, read books, and look at the other side.

As I get older I realize the more I know the less I know, you know?

So whether it’s the political scene, our daily job, what we think parenting is about, our relationships with our loved ones, our ideas of success, or our thoughts on what it means to be happy, we must examine our beliefs and decide whether they need to evolve.  Because as Oprah said, “You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” source