Here are some reasons to read (notes from the video post):
- Read for Wisdom:
- Wisdom is knowing and understanding the truth, which includes what is good in life (in general), and what is best in life, given your circumstances (in particular).
2. Read for Joy:
- Aristotle ”The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” (from Diogenes’ Lives of Eminent Philosophers)
- Reading is only bitter in the beginning, I’d submit, once you are proficient in reading, and know what is good to read, reading is then transformed from drudgery to pleasure. The words are means to the ideas and reality, at first it is hard to see, but with polishing, the glass in transparent, and you see through it, to the reality itself.
3. Read for Character Development
- Pat Williams: “Good character is the accumulated deposit of good moral choices.” (21 Great Leaders, Ch. 10 on Washington)
4. Read for Prudent Investing (i.e.Wealth):
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Consider the Parable of the Talents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_talents_or_minas
Interesting articles to check out:
- On Benefits of reading: https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/why-reading-books-makes-you-a-better-person-according-to-science.html
- On Habits of the Wealthy: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/304219
- On Wisdom: https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2012/07/thomas-aquinas-on-wisdom.html
- On Understanding Wealth: https://mises.org/library/wealth-must-be-created-we-can-give-it-poor
Books to Buy/Borrow:
You are not just a bunch of cells, you have a spiritual and moral dimension, if you neglect it, it will show.
A better title would have been, though longer: “You need to read, study, reflect, build conviction and habits, and invest your resources (time, money, energy, life)” However, setting up a time to read is the first part to doing these other things.
A question that naturally emerges….how do you know if you’re reading the right things? Good question….but that must be reserved for another day, and another post.
Hope you have a great Sunday!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Steve Byerly
I am a philosopher that is interested in what makes life worth living, what is worth pursuing, and how we can learn from the past. I believe that good philosophy benefits everyone and that there should be philosophers that present philosophy to those outside of the academy.