Socrates 469-399BC (Courtesy gds/Flickr)
Hi this is Grace Mann, welcoming you back to Ancient Tales of Wisdom. Today we have a tiny tale for you which tell of the Classical Greek philosopher, Socrates. This tale is titled: “Know Thyself.”
Socrate’s close friend Chaerephon once consulted God at the Oracle of Delphi and asked, “Is there any person in the world who is smarter than Socrates?”
God answers: No man is wiser than Socrates.
Chaerephon happily informed Socrates of God’s answer. But to Chaerephon’s surprise, Socrates acted mystified and even felt uncomfortable.
Socrates did not believe that he was the wisest or the most intelligent person in the world. To disprove God’s conclusion, he decided to look for a person with more wisdom and a better standing than himself.
Firstly, he found a politician. The politician had a very high opinion of his own knowledge and talked non-stop with Socrates. Socrates saw the politician’s self-righteousness and unawareness. He thought, “This person knows nothing about compassion and has no higher learning, yet, he thinks that he knows everything. At least I recognize that I am ignorant; so it seems that I may be wiser than him.”
Socrates was not satisfied, so he continued with his pursuit. He found a poet. This poet was a genius at writing poems, though he thought that he was the wisest man alive, simply because he could write poems.
The next person Socrates met with was a craftsman. To his dismay, the craftsman made the same mistake as did the poet and the politician. He too thought that he was greater that others and above reproach, because he had some good skills.
Socrates believed, that is was ignorance and pride that eroded the intelligence of these three persons.
Finally, Socrates came to an understanding to the true meaning of the words God had spoken to Chaerephon. He enlightened to the fact that God had not said that he was the most intelligent person in the world. But that amongst the people of the world that he was the wisest, because he was aware of his own ignorance.
Although Socrates was a prophet, that didn’t stop him from seeking confirmation of his own ignorance. In today’s world, we can find many who think very highly of themselves. But, just how many people would truly seek proof of their ignorance with a humble heart?
“Know thyself” are the famous words inscribed on the Oracle of Delphi. It is said that is was these words that brought about Socrates journey of self, a journey that opened- to much wisdom, And as history reveals, a wisdom which has been passed on for many generations that followed him.
When one truly begins to cultivate his / her character, they begin to see that they have many attachments and shortcomings and are ignorant about many things. They come to esteem the The Law of the Universe as their Teacher, and slowly, rid themselves of the debilitating notions that drive their attachments. Thus, these people, over time with diligence and perseverance learn improve their heart and mind nature.
By looking deeply into oneself, consciously correcting our behaviour and mistakes, while also learning the art of non retaliation and non-blame of other people or things-for our own errings, can one gain the quality of humility and really begin to “know thyself.”
Unlike the politician, poet and craftsman that Soccrates sought out, it is the humble man, that knows himself, who is most able.
To bring conclusion to this tale, the author leaves us with the following words: Before the rice plants are ready to be harvested, they bow down their heads.
Thank you for being with us again on the SOH Radio Network for Ancient Tales of Wisdom.
And from this day on, let us all make a conscious effort to humbly -get to ‘know thyself’ from the inside out.
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