|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |
|
A Better Way to Live
Written by: Brian MoranArticle Overview: Random Thoughts on Life and Entrepreneurism
![]() |
Free Download - A Better Way to Live By Brian Moran |
A Better Way to Live
In the Introduction of Plato's The Trial & Death of Socrates, G.M.A Grube (who translated the work) writes:
A celebrated paradox from Socrates stated that virtue is knowledge. He believed that, when men do wrong, it is only because they do not know any better. Many who argued against his theory believed Socrates ignored Man's will. This, in part, is a misconception.
According to Socrates, the ultimate aim or goal of Man is not to choose the right but to become the sort of person who cannot choose the wrong and who no longer has any choice in the matter. Socrates called this "God-like." Man must love the right because it is right; he cannot do otherwise and no longer has any choice at all. Ergo, he would no longer be the cause of evil.
Most people today would fall well short of Socrates' high ethical/moral standards. In 21st century business and society, we have neatly packaged words like dignity, character, honesty and integrity into a much larger word...compromise.
We choose to compromise because it is a well traveled road where we see many familiar faces and feel quite comfortable on it. We have also placed the goal of winning at the very top of everything we do-from our children's sporting events to our work to life itself. Today, we compromise to win.
By traveling this road, we can gauge the competition, plan accordingly and pull out all the stops to win the race (day after day after day). Unfortunately, there is almost no room on the road for high ethical and moral standards. Too much baggage, and they don't allow for the compromises necessary in order to win. They become casualties.
Hmm. What would happen...if we listened to Robert Frost instead?
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Or, Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
These are the challenges faced by so many of us today. Keeping up with the Joneses. We sacrifice our moral standards for material wants; our ethics for brass rings; and our vacations and family time for promotions.
And yet, running parallel to all of this...is a better way to live.
The ultimate goal for each and every one of us is to challenge ourselves to find it. With the current economic recession, there is NO BETTER TIME to re-evaluate our priorities. Get off the well traveled road and blaze our own paths. Somewhere along the way, we'll find the ethical and moral standards that Socrates spoke of...far away from the material trappings we coveted just a short time ago.
Carpe Diem!
Article Tags: business and society, casualties, century business, choice in the matter, competition plan, compromises, death of socrates, dignity, familiar faces, g m a grube, honesty, misconception, moral standards, paradox, plato, robert frost, sporting events, traveled road, two roads, virtue
|
About the Author: Brian Moran RSS for Brian's articles - Visit Brian's website Brian Moran is the Founder and President of Moran Media Group (MMG), one of the largest providers of relevant and practical information to business owners, helping them start, manage and grow their companies. MMG currently publishes three national magazines for the small-to-midsize business market, including: Small Business Success, Urban Success and Winning Bids. In addition to the magazines, Moran Media Group partners with many of the leading small business organizations to host workshops, seminars and national conferences aimed at the various segments of small business. In 2007, Moran Media Group launched SmallBusinessEdge.com, a web site dedicated to maintaining the ongoing dialogue between Moran Media Group, its partners and business owners. Click here to visit Brian's website Life Changes on a Dime Play Ball Happy Independence Day The Difference between AIG Small Businesses Are You Still In the Game |
Related Forum Posts
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Using Social Media Marketing
Maximum Impact Restaurant Greening
Business Coach Explains To You How To Add Value
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.



