OUTSIDERS Hunting Clan — Week 39
Seek Nothing Outside Yourself
Fortitudinem et Honorem
Quote of the Week
“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
— Commonly attributed to Miyamoto Musashi
Supporting Stoic Principle
“What if you sought clarity on what you do control, what is already within your power? You might find your prayers have already been answered.”
— The Daily Stoic, September 14
Central Lesson
We spend much of life looking outside ourselves for something we believe will complete us.
We look for easier circumstances, favorable outcomes, greater wealth, public recognition, approval from others and relief from difficulty. We hope that when these things arrive, we will finally become peaceful, confident, disciplined or secure.
But circumstances cannot manufacture character.
Possessions cannot produce contentment. Recognition cannot create self-respect. A favorable outcome cannot replace courage. Other people’s approval cannot provide an identity strong enough to survive their disapproval.
This does not mean we need no one. Brotherhood, counsel, prayer, opportunity and support all matter. It means that no one else can exercise our discipline, choose our response, govern our desires or preserve our character for us.
The resources may be available. The responsibility remains ours.
