![]() The Greeks understood that we often choose the ominous explanation over the simple one, to our detriment. Pericles understood this completely, and he was able to use the power of perspective to defeat it. Fear is debilitating, distracting, tiring, and often irrational. That is, when you can break apart something, or look at it from some new angle, it loses its power over you. But beneath this particular quip is the fundamental notion that girds not just Stoic philosophy but cognitive psychology: Perspective is everything. So what does it matter, Pericles replied, when the cause of the darkness differs? The Greeks were clever. ![]() He asked the man if he was scared of what he saw.No, of course not. He walked up to a lead steersman, removed the cloak he was wearing, and held it up around the man’s face. Surprised by this unexpected and confusing event, his men were thrown into a state of panic. Once as the Athenian general Pericles cast off on a naval mission in the Peloponnesian War, the sun was eclipsed and his fleet of 150 ships was cast into darkness. ![]() Note: The following are excerpts from The Obstacle is the Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage by Ryan Holiday. ![]() If you enjoy this summary, please consider buying me a coffee to caffeinate my reading sessions. ![]() īuy The Obstacle Is The Way: Print | Kindle | Audiobook Learn more about The Obstacle Is The Way on Amazon. ![]()
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