The Spartan Way: How to Unf**k Your Life
Summary
TLDRThis script delves into the myth and reality of ancient Spartan warriors, highlighting their discipline, collective values, and societal structure. It contrasts the heroic 300 at the Battle of Thermopylae with historical facts, revealing a society that prioritized the collective good and instilled rigorous military training from a young age. The video also explores how Spartan values, such as prioritizing health and strength, embracing competition, and living with discipline, can be applied to modern life, while cautioning against the pitfalls of extreme conformity and fear of authority.
Takeaways
- 🏰 The Battle of Thermopylae is commonly remembered through the lens of the 2007 film '300', but historical accounts vary and should be taken with skepticism.
- 🛡️ The Spartans were known for their discipline and collective spirit, prioritizing the group's safety over individual interests, which was reflected in their military tactics.
- 👥 Spartan society was structured around the Agoge, a rigorous training system that instilled values from a young age, shaping boys into formidable warriors.
- 🌱 The Spartan emphasis on physical fitness and health was a key part of their culture, with high-protein diets and daily exercise routines.
- 👶 Spartan boys were raised with the collective in mind, with societal responsibility over individual family ties, and were encouraged to be self-sufficient and cunning.
- 💪 The concept of a 'beautiful death' in battle was a core part of Spartan ideology, with families taking pride in those who died in combat for the collective good.
- 👥 Spartan society valued uniformity and conformity, which while beneficial for social cohesion, could stifle individuality and adaptability.
- 🏋️♂️ Spartans were expected to maintain physical fitness throughout their lives, viewing it as essential for war readiness and societal contribution.
- 👥 Women in Sparta had more freedom than in other Greek city-states, being allowed to own land and participate in competitive activities, though still subject to societal expectations.
- 🔮 Spartan decision-making was heavily influenced by religious beliefs and the perceived will of the gods, including the Oracle of Delphi.
- 🌐 The Spartan values, while effective in certain contexts, were not universally applicable and could lead to inflexibility and a lack of adaptability in changing circumstances.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about the Battle of Thermopylae?
-The common misconception is that 300 Spartan soldiers fought against a million-man Persian army. In reality, Sparta likely sent 300 Spartiates and around 6,000 more Greeks, while the Persian army was in the hundreds of thousands, not millions.
What was the strategic advantage the Spartans had at Thermopylae?
-The Spartans had a terrain advantage at Thermopylae. The Persian army had to enter a geographical funnel, which allowed the small group of Spartans to fight back against the Persian advance for three days.
Who led the group of 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae?
-The group of 300 Spartans was led by their King, Leonidas, who committed to this mission to help slow the Persian advance on a collective of Greek city-states.
What was the Spartan society's fundamental value?
-The most fundamental value to Spartan society was prioritizing the collective interest over the individual. This was enforced through various social structures and practices, including the agogi military training system.
How did the Spartan upbringing impact their soldiers' performance on the battlefield?
-The Spartan upbringing, with its emphasis on discipline, obedience, and collective interest, made their soldiers formidable and predictable on the battlefield. However, it also led to indecisiveness and a lack of adaptability in unfamiliar situations.
What was the Spartan diet like, and how did it contribute to their physical fitness?
-Spartans had a high-protein diet that included meat, with a known staple called black broth, which was a pork stew with pig's blood. This diet, combined with regular exercise, contributed to their physical fitness and ability to endure war.
How did Spartan women differ in status compared to men?
-While women in Sparta did not have the same freedoms as men to participate in politics, they were freer than in any other Greek city-state. They were allowed to own land and participate in competitive activities, which was intended to strengthen their children.
What was the significance of the Oracle of Delphi in Spartan decision-making?
-The Oracle of Delphi was often consulted on the outcomes of political actions or wars. Spartans widely believed that she delivered prophecies directly from the Greek god Apollo, and her advice often influenced their decisions, including those related to warfare.
How did the Spartans' fear of the gods influence their behavior?
-The Spartans' fear of the gods led them to seek approval from the gods at every turn, often making decisions that went against their own interest to do what they thought was in the favor of the gods. This religious belief was an extension of the Spartan upbringing, with the gods serving as an omnipresent authority figure.
What modern parallels can be drawn from the Spartan emphasis on the collective interest?
-The modern parallel to the Spartan emphasis on the collective interest is the recognition that our actions impact not just our own lives or nation, but the global society and environment. It suggests adopting a society-focused outlook and considering the greater good in our daily lives and political decisions.
What is the takeaway from the Spartan example regarding the balance between discipline and adaptability?
-The Spartan example shows that while discipline can lead to strength and resilience, too much of it can hinder adaptability and creativity. It's important to find a balance that allows for personal growth and the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances.
Outlines
🛡️ Spartan Valor and the Battle of Thermopylae
The paragraph delves into the iconic image of the 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae, as popularized by the 2007 film '300'. It challenges the common misconception that the 300 were the only Greek soldiers present, clarifying that approximately 6,000 additional Greek soldiers likely fought alongside them. The narrative acknowledges the Spartans' bravery and strategic use of terrain but also points out the historical inaccuracies and the Persian army's actual size, which was more likely in the hundreds of thousands. The paragraph also touches on the mysterious reasons behind Sparta not sending more of its army to the advantageous location and hints at understanding these decisions through the lens of Spartan society's values.
🏹 Spartan Upbringing and Collective Values
This section explores the Spartan society's emphasis on collective interests over individual desires, beginning with the agoge military training system that instilled values in boys from the age of seven. The Spartan way of life prioritized communal responsibility, with every citizen entitled to discipline children in public spaces. Adult Spartans were expected to live publicly and contribute to the youth's upbringing. The battlefield tactics, such as the anosia shield wall, further reinforced the collective ethos, with a fallen soldier's name inscribed on a tombstone as the ultimate honor. The paragraph also contrasts Spartan values with modern individualism and suggests that adopting a society-focused outlook could have positive implications in today's globalized world.
🏋️♂️ Spartan Discipline and Physical Prowess
The paragraph discusses the Spartan focus on physical health and training as a means to produce formidable fighters. It highlights the daily exercises, sports, and high-protein diets that contributed to their strength and endurance. Spartans, both men and women, were expected to be fit and strong, with women's freedom to own land and participate in competitive activities reflecting a form of eugenics aimed at producing strong offspring. The paragraph also touches on the Spartans' use of black broth and their gym-like facilities for maintaining fitness, emphasizing the importance of physical preparedness for war and intimidation.
🎖️ Spartan Competitive Spirit and Social Structure
This section examines the Spartan competitive spirit and its implications for personal growth and societal development. It describes the agogi system's encouragement of competition among boys and the societal pressure to excel. The paragraph also addresses the potential negative aspects of an overly competitive society, such as the examples of oil and gas companies' lobbying for advantage. It contrasts the disciplined leisure of Spartan adults with modern first-world lifestyles, suggesting the benefits of intentional scarcity and discipline in fostering resilience and reducing waste.
🗳️ Spartan Social and Political Conformity
The paragraph explores the social and political conformity in Sparta, where citizens were constantly observed and tested for adherence to Spartan values. This scrutiny influenced their political participation and battlefield positions, with consequences ranging from life to death. The paragraph also discusses the limitations of conformity, such as the stifling of leadership and decision-making abilities, and contrasts bold Spartan leaders like Brasidas with those who were overly cautious due to societal pressures. It concludes by examining the role of religion and the Oracle of Delphi in Spartan decision-making and the societal implications of such divine influence.
🏹 Spartan Values and Modern Adaptation
The final paragraph reflects on the applicability of Spartan values in contemporary society, emphasizing the importance of discipline, strength, and a higher purpose for personal growth and resilience. It acknowledges the potential downsides of conformity and the need for adaptability and free thinking. The paragraph also touches on the societal pressures of conformity in the modern era, advocating for accountability and the freedom to challenge absurdity. It concludes by drawing parallels between the Spartan values that contributed to their victory at the Battle of Plataea and the values that can be applied to personal struggles today.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Spartans
💡Battle of Thermopylae
💡Agoge
💡Collective Interest
💡Black Broth
💡Helots
💡Conformity
💡Higher Purpose
💡Discipline
💡Oracle of Delphi
💡Patriotism
Highlights
The Battle of Thermopylae is commonly misunderstood, with the actual number of Spartans likely being closer to 7,000 rather than 300, and the Persian army numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Spartan society was unique in ancient Greece, with a focus on collective interests over individual ones, influencing their military tactics and societal structure.
Spartan boys underwent rigorous military training from the age of seven, emphasizing discipline and obedience to instill Spartan values.
Spartan warriors were expected to seek out a 'beautiful death' in battle, with dying in combat considered an honor.
Spartan women had more freedoms than in other Greek city-states, including the ability to own land and participate in competitive activities.
Spartan diet and physical training were focused on creating soldiers capable of enduring the hardships of war.
The Spartan agoge system was a harsh military training regime that shaped boys into disciplined and obedient soldiers.
Spartan society's emphasis on uniformity and conformity could limit individual creativity and adaptability.
Spartan leaders were often indecisive and overly cautious, a result of their upbringing that emphasized strict obedience.
Religious beliefs and the fear of displeasing the gods heavily influenced Spartan decision-making and military strategy.
The Spartan example teaches us about the importance of discipline, physical health, and a higher purpose in personal and societal development.
Spartan society's strict enforcement of values could lead to a lack of adaptability and an inability to think independently.
The Battle of Plataea saw the Spartans and their allies defeat the Persians, showcasing the effectiveness of their military training and strategy.
Train Well, an exercise companion app, is highlighted as a tool for improving physical health and achieving fitness goals.
The transcript concludes by reflecting on the lessons that can be drawn from Spartan values and their applicability to modern life.
Transcripts
what's the first thought that comes to
mind when you think about Spartans many
of us will conjure up an image of the
battle of theropo as depicted Loosely in
the 2007 film 300 the common
understanding of the battle is that 300
ruling class sp8 soldiers took on a
massive Million Man Persian army the
spartiates were vastly outnumbered but
they did have a big terrain advantage to
pass through thermop the Persian army
had to enter a geographical funnel this
Advantage allowed the small group of
Spates to fight back against the Persian
advance for 3 Days taking up tens of
thousands of enemy combatants in the
battle of thermopol the group of 300 was
led by their King leonidus who committed
to this kamakazi mission to help slow
the Persian advance on a collective of
Greek city states he fought alongside
his fellow spartiates as another Soldier
and among them he died a noble Spartan
Death it sounds pretty heroic and
admirable doesn't it do you ever find
yourself wishing you could learn about
the values and practices that made the
soldiers so formidable it would make you
Unstoppable wouldn't
it but before discussing how their
virtues could help us in our daily lives
let's add some details to the Battle of
theropo keep in mind that there are
numerous differing historical accounts
of this period of time and every fact
has to be taken with a grain of salt
it's more likely that Sparta sent 300
foot soldiers also known as hotlights
and roughly 6,000 more Greeks from the
region surrounding theropo the Persian
army was more like hundreds of thousands
strong not millions and by all accounts
the Spartans and Greeks fought with
tremendous Spirit however they were
ultimately wiped out in a battle that
would not be particularly noteworthy
from the Persian perspective thanks to a
local goat herd that had no idea of the
historic role it would play in the final
outcome at theropo the Persians found a
route behind the Greeks if Sparta had
sent more of its Army to the
strategically advantageous funnel at
theropo it could have likely had a much
more significant impact on the
Invasion the Spartans gave reasons after
the fact but none seem to hold up to
scrutiny no one really knows for sure
why they didn't send more of their army
but by getting to know Spartan society
we might have some better guesses so
what can we learn from the values of
these soldiers who fought courageously
against impossible odds but
strategically made some questionable
calls to understand the answer to this
question we have to know these hop
lights as humans not myths we have to be
honest about who they were their
strengths and their weaknesses and we
can learn a lot from both of them to
make one thing clear there was actually
no country called Greece at the time
Sparta existed roughly from the 9th
century bcee to the year 146 B.C.E
ancient Greece was a collection of more
than a thousand city states that shared
the same gods and similar dialects other
Greek city states such as Athens and
thees generally feared the Spartan
warriors they were considered formidable
on the battlefield and admired for their
discipline and obedience to be like the
Spartans you must prioritize your
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trainer today back to our
story so how was Sparta able to produce
such capable fighters in battle the
answer lies in the fact that they didn't
work so much on training soldiers they
trained good citizens and this is where
we find the values that we can
potentially adopt in our own lives like
no other Greek city state Sparta
controlled its population by thoroughly
enforcing its values within boys were
instilled with the Spartan way of life
from the age of seven and it continued
until they were 30 all of this was
enforced to the brutally harsh agay
military training system it's here that
Spartan values firmly took hold
including the most fundamental one to
Spartan society prioritizing the
collective interest over the individual
the whole of Sparta is of Greater
importance than the personal ties like
the family unit fathers were discouraged
from having a strong relationship with
their sons every citizen had a similar
right to discipline any child in public
the responsibility belonged to everyone
not just the family within the agogi
system marriage Spates were not allowed
to live at home with their wives until
the age of 30 as they grew older they
were instructed to live more publicly
and be thoroughly involved in instilling
Spartan values in the youth by delaying
homemaking and domestic life Sparta
further reinforced the emphasis on the
collective over the individual on the
battlefield Spartan armies were divided
into small groupings called anosia these
Shield walls required everyone to put
the safety of the group ahead of their
own natural instinct to run to safety
one vacant spot in the anosia was
greatly weakened in battle spartiates
were taught to seek out a Beautiful
Death dying in battle was considered
very honorable Spartan families were
proud and even joyous when one of their
own died while away at War these Fallen
sparas were given the privilege of
having their name inscribed on their
Tombstone they gave their life to the
greater hole which is the ultimate way
of putting the collective interest ahead
of their own with this emphasis on the
whole Sparta was able to rely on its
soldiers to fight predictably a common
problem during ancient battles was that
when something discouraging happened
like Army's Commander dying in the field
entire flanks would flee the Spartans
didn't have this problem as their
soldiers were instilled with the value
of putting the collective above their
individual desire to run like hell when
we applied the Spartan value to our
modern lives it suggests that we adopt a
more Society focused Outlook this
contrast sharply with something like
American individualism which dominates
most of the western world with a greater
focus on the people around us we
consider how our actions and Lifestyles
will impact the greater good if we were
to cling closer to the Spartan example
that would entail living in the service
of our country in today's world we're
more of a global Society what we do
impacts everybody not just our own
Nation it is important to consider the
impact of our actions on people living
on the opposite end of the globe how
does my job that requires me to fly
everywhere or purchasing of forever
chemicals contribute to various
ecosystems around the world we're now
much more aware than ever of our
environmental footprint politicians and
governments have far more control
control over the environment than we do
so we have to look beyond our individual
needs when we cast our ballots you might
benefit from a promised tax break but at
what cost to the whole you could go
smaller and think of your family and
Social Circle as your own and osia on
the battlefield does your behavior
improve the lives of those around you or
act
detrimentally sometimes when we pursue
personal gains it can be at the expense
of our family we may neglect their needs
as we pursue personal
goals we commonly imagine Spartans as
fit sculpted men who fought battles with
nothing but a cape underwear a helmet
and a spear and while they typically
were fitter than soldiers from other
Greek societies they did wear armor and
a tunic over top until the age of 20
they were expected to exercise every
single day but they were mostly engaged
in sports and other endurance exercises
they participated in wrestling matches
discus and Javelin throwing running and
boxing mostly events that would be
hosted at the Olympic Games the goal was
to make them a customed to obeying
commands and be well equipped to endure
the hardships of combat unlike the
residents of other Greek city states
Spartans ate a lot of meat Athens and
thees were more likely to use animals
for their milk and wool but Spartans
consumed them for nourishment their high
protein diets included a known staple
called black broth which was essentially
a pork stew with Pig's blood spartiates
would also use their version of a gym to
stay fit after they left the rigers of
the agog behind staying in good shape
was not intended as an exercise and
vanity it was to ensure that all
spartiates were fit to endure war and
intimidate their enemies seeing an army
of muscular combatants must have been
demoralizing for other Greek societies
lacking in that department women didn't
really have the same freedoms as sparate
men to participate in politics but they
were Freer than in any other Greek city
state they were allowed to own land and
participate in competitive activities
much like the boys this however was
intended to strengthen their children as
a primitive form of eugenics the thing
was that a strong man and woman would
conceive a strong
child boys in the agogi system were
constantly tested on their strength and
discipline Elders would routinely go
them to fight their peers and every
member of society would be encouraged to
promote competition among the
students some of the practices in the
system wouldn't exactly fly by today's
standards the boys were given too little
to eat so that they would be encouraged
to find other ways of satiating their
hunger with an empty stomach they would
steal food and if they were caught they
would be punished by the adults not for
stealing but for the very Act of being
caught Spates needed to be cunning
embracing competition in your own life
can lead to Great personal growth it can
increase your motivation and give you a
sense of personal accomplishment that's
hard to find anywhere else I'm referring
to a healthy sense of competition
however the competitive Spirit can
easily go sour when it's driven by
insecurity trying to outperform others
at any cost can not only increase your
stress levels but destroy relationship
in a capitalist Society embracing a
healthy form of competition is a virtue
and even more so when your competitive
Spirit drives growth in an organization
of course there are many examples of an
unhealthy competitive Spirit leading to
society-wide problems oil and gas
companies for example are notorious for
lobbying governments to maintain their
advantage in the energy sector the farat
competed with their peers with whom they
were expected to have good relations
they were pressured to win at all costs
but never to the detriment of the
collective whole except mive rivalry was
thought to threaten the laws that
governed
[Music]
Sparta as adults spartiates were Leisure
Class citizens in the absence of War
they were free to spend their time as
they wished but their culture of
discipline demanded that they lived
without giving in to excess they
discouraged drunken behavior and
practice moderation in general most
Spates ate a healthy diet and exercised
regularly they owned Farms but they
didn't have to work in the fields they
had slaves or surf to do the work for
them years before the Battle of thermop
Sparta invaded another Greek city state
and Enslaved the local population known
as the helit spartiates weren't exactly
kind to this population they would
occasionally bring in helit to their
Gatherings and get them drunk to show
the negative Foles of overc consumption
while we don't have a serve population
nor wish that to be the case at all we
do live a more lavish lifestyle in the
first world Nations thanks to
technological advancements and cheap
labor in third world countries we are
able to maintain a comparatively cozy
way way of life and no I'm not
suggesting that this relationship with
cheap labor is a good thing it's just
how the economy currently functions the
vast majority of us still have to work
and increasingly we're expected to work
more for Less with that said being
disciplined can also have a positive
impact on your life regardless curbing
your dependency on the more pleasurable
things in life comes with the suite of
benefits you'll be more resilient and
less disappointed by circumstances that
aren't ideal learning to live with less
not only curbs the waste we produce but
also lifts an unspoken burden in our
minds all the stuff and desire we have
for more preoccupies us it takes our
attention away from the more important
matters think of all the time and even
anxiety that comes with seeking out the
latest gadgets marketed towards people
wanting to make their lives easier in
the old Tech we no longer need just sits
on our dressers filling us with small
pangs of guilt practicing intentional
scarcity helps you develop a deeper
appreciation for what you have which
makes people feel happier is perhaps the
biggest case of less being more you'll
be more prepared for whatever life
throws your way whether that's
sweltering heat overnight or a cold
shower in the morning similarly stoic
philosophers practice depriving
themselves of daily Pleasures to make
themselves less vulnerable to the
various hardships that the Universe
conjured they refer to the practice as
voluntary
discomforts the Spartan system also
taught the value of uniformity boys of
rich and poor families alike were
expected to dress simply even when they
had the means this value applied to
adults as well and it played a key role
in one of Sparta's most important social
structures humans are social animals and
our ability to communicate is why we
became such successful hunters and were
able to dominate as a species so quickly
we still benefit a lot from our social
interactions with others these
interactions improve our mental health
boost our immune system and help us live
longer lives if we all took socializing
as seriously as the Spartans did we
would definitely see benefits when it
comes to Landing a good job or career
it's often not what you know but who you
know focusing on socializing and
networking can make finding good work
easier even if it can be a bit pill to
swallow for some of us part of me
considers this type of socializing to be
based on utility which Aristotle
insisted was a very temporary form of
friendship Spates were also expected to
conform strictly to regulations and
standards of behavior these were forced
physically or exerted through social
pressure at every stage of Life other
citizens routinely test ESP Spates on
their code of conduct even the Kings had
to adhere to these expectations they
were subject to the same punishments
that every spartiate received for
undermining the Spartan code of values
in Spartan society someone was always
watching even the adults who admonished
the soldiers in training were
scrutinized for their disciplinary
actions if they reprimanded the boys too
harshly or with too much softness they
would be subject to criticism or
punishment all these observations and
tests would ultimately contribute to a
Sparty standing with their peers their
ability to participate in politics
depended on a good track record to be
anointed to the elite group of Elders
that heavily influenced the City State's
decision- making they needed to have
conformed well to the Spartan values
throughout their lifetime your position
on the battlefield would also be
determined in part by how you performed
in Spartan society it could mean the
difference between the front and the
back of the anosia and in turn be the
difference between life and death this
rigorous process inspired strength and
obedience among Spartan citizens other
Greek city states admired this quality
in Sparta as they were not capable of
controlling their citizens and
maintaining a stable government this
upbringing made them above average
soldiers who were renowned and feared
among the other Greek city states but it
also imparted many spites with a
pronounced weakness a weakness that
would see them outdone on the
battlefield a feeling that someone is
always watching can embolden some but
hinder the performance of others the
Spates were very indecisive As Leaders
they often couldn't think for themselves
in unfamiliar situations they had the
eyes of their elders and peers on their
back scrutinizing every move and the
punishments for acting in an UNS Spartan
way were significant they often involved
physical violence and isolation Sparta
was not without bold and Brazen leaders
who could bring an adventurous Spirit to
war the Spartan officer brus was
considered a genius and his charm was
even a appreciated by his enemies the
Athenians during the pipian war he was
confident and able to think on his feet
in unknown territory a virtue that
wasn't shared with his
contemporaries in contrast other Spartan
commanders were over cautious fearful
and lacking in confidence and initiative
when they ventured into circumstances
without an obvious precedence they
didn't know what to do they typically
chose an action in a way they were
Paralyzed by the Spartan gays this cost
Sparta dearly on the battlefield so how
could the city state of Sparta produced
both The Bold and the Cowardly with such
a uniform upbringing the reality is that
the Spartan way of life inspired
different results in different people
demands of strict obedience and constant
supervision can [ __ ] a person's
confidence in their own ability to make
decisions if something didn't feel like
the correct Spartan way many froze up
with uncertainty and pressure some were
inspired by their competitive upbringing
to embrace unique challenges While
others felt the weight of an entire
Society peeking over their shoulders but
it wasn't only the eyes of the other
spartiates that they had to worry about
there was a much more formidable
presence watching their every move
something
omnipresent Beyond The Eyes Of The
Mortals was the Searing gaze of the Gods
the citizens and ruling members of
Sparta were Paralyzed by their fear of
upsetting the likes of Zeus and bidon
Sparta was politically stable on a
domestic level but his foreign policy
was very inconsistent it swung wildly
between confident determination and
fearful discouragement part of this
instability can be accredited to the
need to seek approval from the gods at
every turn you may have heard of the
Oracle of Deli she is most well known
for declaring that Socrates was the
wisest of all Athenians even though he
claimed to know nothing the Greeks
widely believed that she delivered
prophecies directly from the Greek god
Apollo the Oracle of Delphia was often
consulted on the outcomes of political
actions or Wars she was like a magic
eightball that was taken very seriously
in the war with the Persian Empire the
Oracle often gave the Spartans forboding
news about their chances Sparta even
made decisions that went against its own
interest to do what it thought was in
the favor of the Gods Spartans often
credited the gods with natural disasters
and took them as a sign that they had
displeased them of all the Greek city
states they were the most
God-fearing in the Battle of PLO with
the persan Army Spartan commanders
waited until the last minute to advance
on the enemy because their animal
sacrifice or FIA had not yet shown them
any signs of favorability Spartans were
so wrapped up in the mythology of the
gods that they believed their Royal
lineage was linked directly to zeusa son
Heracles or as you might know him
Hercules the macedonians also believed
they were descendants of the famous
strong men so it wasn't that
extraordinary to make such a claim
depending on oracles and signs from Gods
is a common trait of an authoritarian
Society in a setting dominated by fear
of rational discussion these religious
beliefs take hold more easily in a way
it's an extension of the Spartan
upbringing they've always had an
authority figure watching over them and
the gods are simply a continuation
without Authority for those who make
decisions in Spartan society from the
Spartan example we can see that there
are bigger problems with dedicating
yourself to a higher purpose but
fighting for something bigger than
yourself can also make you stronger it's
well documented that people who work
towards a higher purpose than themselves
are more resilient happier and enjoy
richer relationships the higher purpose
you choose does matter few of us in this
day and age want to support a state that
runs off slavery or serfdom for example
but simply putting yourself in the
service of improving societ Society
might be a good place to start and in
order to fully Embrace that higher
purpose you need to be disciplined
living a healthy lifestyle and building
your strength is also going to
contribute to your cause even if you
find yourself less distracted by the
pain that comes with a lethargic
lifestyle talking about Conformity again
one Spartan value we should abandon it
proved to be a limiting factor in
leadership and free thinking on the
battlefield Conformity ultimately made
Sparta a society unable to adapt to the
changing world around it it was frozen
in time doomed to be outclassed by their
neighboring City seats until it
eventually became irrelevant to the
larger Greek society of course we see
the pressure to conform in our own time
but not quite in the form of nationalism
the culture of war and Hyper
partisanship have created such a strong
atmosphere of Conformity that straying
from the party line can have significant
social consequences we'd benefit a lot
from more people holding their political
party of choice accountable instead
people support their team regardless of
the quality or condition of their
leaders and the likely outcome comes of
their anointing and disagreeing will
often result in being accused of playing
for the other side in the culture war in
a healthy Society we should feel free to
point out absurdism even if it comes
from others we usually agree with this
is how we adapt and grow into a changing
reality and on an individual level
feeling as though you can't point out
absurdity without social repercussions
is just plain frustrating it makes you
feel like you're living in an
increasingly mad world we don't need or
likely want the society-wide enforcement
of values demonstrated in Sparta the
truth is they don't work for everyone
competition can bring out a healthy
desire for growth in some people but it
can also pressure others to win at all
cost and in some cases too much
discipline can leave people with an
inability to adapt to change they may
also struggle to relax and have fun
socially in other words it can make them
miserable when these values work the
results can be worthy of the ideal
Spartan many of us have in our minds
it's a matter of seeing if they're right
for you and remember these values were
proba atic for some of the sparts
themselves after losing the battle of
thermopolymerization
the Persian army would Advance its
mission to bring all the Greek city
states into its Empire at the Battle of
palaia however Sparta and a coalition of
other city states that included Athens
and Corinth finally defeated the
Persians Spartans were strong well
armored held 10ft Spears and had the
discipline to fight through the front
lines of the Persian army importantly
they had a greater purpose in mind as
they did so many of the values they took
into the Battle of palaa are ones we can
bring into our own daily struggles the
Spartans of that age were far from
perfect but the basic concepts behind
the ideas they tried to pass along
through their Generations are still
foundations for people to build on today
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