What We Talk About When We Talk About Knowledge
Syed Faisal Abbas Tirmize
CFO & A Sustainability Mentor at MAFHH An Institution
We frequently talk about the pursuit of knowledge. About Seneca’s advice to acquire one piece of new knowledge each day. About Epictetus’ famous line, inspired by his hero Socrates: “It is impossible for a person to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows.” And about how the pretense of knowledge is the most dangerous vice.
But we’re not really talking about the pursuit of knowledge. We’re really talking about the pursuit of virtue. In the most highlighted passage in the Kindle edition of Robin Waterfield’s annotated edition of Meditations, Robin Waterfield writes:
“The Stoics held that virtue was knowledge. They recognized four primary virtues—prudential wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice—and analyzed each of them as a kind of knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge of good and bad; courage is knowledge of what to fear and what not to fear; moderation is knowledge of what to pursue and what to avoid; justice is knowledge of what to give or what not to give others.”
Seneca told his friend Lucilius, “You should keep learning…to the end of your life.” The same must be true for us. Let us never stop striving to not only know more, but to become better, wiser, and more virtuous individuals.
P.S. For the Stoics, the Four Virtues of courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom was the essential roadmap to a life well lived. Responding with virtue no matter the moment, no matter the challenge, was the secret to finding true happiness, success, meaning, reputation, honor, and love. To help you keep the Four Virtues in mind and to spur you to always practice them, we created the Four Virtues Pendant!
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The custom-designed seal represents the four elements of the Four Virtues and was hand-sketched by Lewis Williams, an artist based in Brooklyn, NY. The mixed-metal pendants are handmade by Williams, who uses the ancient process of carving into the wax and casting into brass and sterling silver and then sawing, engraving, hammering and soldering the metals with precision and care.
Each pendant comes with a 24” sterling silver chain and is handcrafted using traditional techniques and only the finest materials. In a world where so many people seek out empty goals and follow false promises to get what they want, this pendant is the perfect reminder that you can have everything you want if you follow the path of virtue. Get yours today!