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The three principles described
below are the basis of all of Socrates teachings. Socrates
advocated self-understanding and felt so strongly about it that
he deemed it more important than any other pursuit in
life.
These principles are what Socrates thought were the most
important goals of philosophy.
1.
Discover and
Pursue Your Life's Purpose
Strive to
discover
who you are, what is
your life mission, and what you are trying to become. It is necessary
to lead a responsible and fully awake
life. If
you don't try to figure out who you are and what you
believe then you are content to just exist and what's the
point in that? What is the worth in your existence?
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"Employ
your time in
improving yourself by other men's writings so that
you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for."
2. Care for
your soul
The most important task in life is
caring for your soul. Your soul is the real person, who you
really are. It is the center of your
character and what makes
you who you are. It is the basis of your
thoughts, feelings,
values, and
decisions .
The most important task you face is
realizing your potential as a person, who you are. The state of
your soul makes you either foolish or wise. Just like the body,
the soul should be kept healthy. An unhealthy soul is
ignorant of the true priorities in life. You can keep your soul
healthy by introspection and
ridding yourself of ignorance.
"He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the
wealth of nature."
3. Be a good person
and
you will not be harmed by outside forces
If your soul is good, then
outside forces cannot not harm you. If the most important
part of you is your soul and the soul is not physical but inward
then it cannot be harmed. The body may be harmed by another
person, but the soul cannot unless you allow yourself to become
susceptible to others.
Search constantly for
wisdom by way of practicing self-evaluation if you wish your
soul to be liberated from outside harm.
"Envy is the
ulcer of the soul."
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