“Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue” is a quote by Zeno (334 - 262 BC).
Meaning:
it's easier to recover from a physical fall than to take back something you've said. The quote suggests that it's difficult to control what we say and how we say it, and that we should be accountable for our words.
Here are some tips for being more mindful of what you say:
- Slow down: Before you respond to someone, count to three to give yourself time to think about what you want to say.
- Consider the impact: Think about whether what you're going to say is valuable to the conversation, or if it might be misunderstood.
- Be aware of reflexes: Try not to respond to what you hear reflexively.
- Source: Google AI
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I've decided to continue on the trend of learning stoicism and self improvement, and found above quote very useful (Note Zeno isn't quite as popular as Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, but he was the founder of the stoic school of philosophy in Athens around 300 BC).
I went through a silly period in my teens when peer relationship was so important to all. Guess due to the very first book I read in life and my inborn personality, I always believed telling truth should be a given, but never thought it could hurt someone unnecessarily. Until one day, a classmate pulled me aside and said: "you don't need to lie, but you can be quiet and don't say anything". That was when the penny dropped for me.
But as an imperfect person, I still need to remind myself of this time by time. So learning is really a life long journey.
Wish you all a good Wednesday my friends!
- Slow down: Before you respond to someone, count to three to give yourself time to think about what you want to say.
- Consider the impact: Think about whether what you're going to say is valuable to the conversation, or if it might be misunderstood.
- Be aware of reflexes: Try not to respond to what you hear reflexively.
- Source: Google AI
----------------------------
I've decided to continue on the trend of learning stoicism and self improvement, and found above quote very useful (Note Zeno isn't quite as popular as Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, but he was the founder of the stoic school of philosophy in Athens around 300 BC).
I went through a silly period in my teens when peer relationship was so important to all. Guess due to the very first book I read in life and my inborn personality, I always believed telling truth should be a given, but never thought it could hurt someone unnecessarily. Until one day, a classmate pulled me aside and said: "you don't need to lie, but you can be quiet and don't say anything". That was when the penny dropped for me.
But as an imperfect person, I still need to remind myself of this time by time. So learning is really a life long journey.
Wish you all a good Wednesday my friends!
