1 00:00:00,750 --> 00:00:07,690 Pythagoras best-known from his ‘Pythagorean Theorem’ was a mathematician, cosmologist, 2 00:00:07,690 --> 00:00:10,099 teacher, theologist, philosopher, and more. 3 00:00:10,099 --> 00:00:15,469 He’s also developed a system for musical tuning that’s still used today, has had 4 00:00:15,469 --> 00:00:20,470 an influence on the world of food science due to his theories on dietary restrictions, 5 00:00:20,470 --> 00:00:25,800 and was the very first person to divide the earth into five different climate zones. 6 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,840 The man did everything! 7 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:33,660 While it would be a joy to talk about the life of such an impressive man, sadly there 8 00:00:33,660 --> 00:00:37,940 is almost nothing about his life that can be known for certain. 9 00:00:37,940 --> 00:00:43,289 None of his work and writings - not a single one - have been preserved. 10 00:00:43,289 --> 00:00:50,110 Instead, all we know from Pythagoras comes from texts written by Aristotle or Plato, 11 00:00:50,110 --> 00:00:54,680 who have both been influenced by this legendary ancient philosopher. 12 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:59,740 But despite the little documentation, enough has been preserved to make Pythagoras the 13 00:00:59,740 --> 00:01:05,360 legendary figure that he is today - even without his books still with us, he’s influenced 14 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:10,090 and helped evolve a few of the most important fields of human knowledge. 15 00:01:10,090 --> 00:01:13,910 While we can only wonder what else he could have taught us, had his work still been with 16 00:01:13,910 --> 00:01:23,660 us, here are six life lessons that we can say come from this impressive philosopher. 17 00:01:23,660 --> 00:01:29,400 Appreciate Music Pythagoras says “The highest goal of music 18 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:34,360 is to connect one's soul to their Divine Nature, not entertainment.” 19 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:41,439 While Pythagoras is mostly credited as an important mathematician and astronomer, he’s 20 00:01:41,439 --> 00:01:46,299 also contributed greatly to the art that is known as ‘music.’ 21 00:01:46,299 --> 00:01:51,369 One of his most important contributions to both the field of mathematics and music was 22 00:01:51,369 --> 00:01:57,340 his discovery that maths could translate to music - and the other way around. 23 00:01:57,340 --> 00:02:02,520 Legend has it that Pythagoras walked down the street, past a blacksmith hammering away, 24 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:06,860 and by listening to the sound of different hammers in a row, Pythagoras realized that 25 00:02:06,860 --> 00:02:10,610 the size of the tool mattered for the sound it would make. 26 00:02:10,610 --> 00:02:15,170 Thus, that which was musical was also mathematical. 27 00:02:15,170 --> 00:02:21,120 Thanks to Pythagoras, there is a musical tuning system - appropriately named ‘Pythagorean 28 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:27,220 tuning’ - that bases the ratio of intervals on the ratio 3:2. 29 00:02:27,220 --> 00:02:33,280 Pythagoras took this connection further in a theory named ‘musica universalis,’ which 30 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:38,200 claims that the movements of the celestial bodies - the moon, the sun, the planets et 31 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:45,950 cetera - move according to mathematical equations, and as a result make a certain sound, or, 32 00:02:45,950 --> 00:02:49,849 as Pythagoras calls it: music. 33 00:02:49,849 --> 00:02:54,379 This music is, of course, impossible for the human ear to hear. 34 00:02:54,379 --> 00:03:00,250 A possible theory to explain its inaudibility is the idea that, because this spherical music 35 00:03:00,250 --> 00:03:06,440 is a constant presence in our life since birth, it sounds just like silence to us - we’ve 36 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:08,019 become used to it. 37 00:03:08,019 --> 00:03:15,849 And that sentiment explains exactly why Pythagoras thought music to be so very important. 38 00:03:15,849 --> 00:03:21,200 Nowadays music is often merely a background sound - such as in the supermarket or while 39 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:28,100 on hold on the phone, but, as many people also know, music can be much more than that. 40 00:03:28,100 --> 00:03:33,470 It’s a form of expression that’s completely unique in its delivery and ability to make 41 00:03:33,470 --> 00:03:35,349 one feel. 42 00:03:35,349 --> 00:03:39,410 According to Pythagoras, music is good for the soul. 43 00:03:39,410 --> 00:03:46,379 Like medicine is good for the body, music can heal one’s soul of pains and ailments. 44 00:03:46,379 --> 00:03:52,680 It can calm you when you’re feeling stressed, excite you when you’re feeling disappointed, 45 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,790 motivate you when you’re feeingl lazy. 46 00:03:55,790 --> 00:04:01,680 When you feel indifferent or numb, music can suddenly make you cry. 47 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:08,000 And when you’re feeling depressed and down, music can so often be your guiding light back 48 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:09,730 to happiness. 49 00:04:09,730 --> 00:04:15,450 Understanding this, Pythagoras realized that musical compositions could be made for specific 50 00:04:15,450 --> 00:04:23,190 purposes: to calm, excite, motivate, and make you feel specific things. 51 00:04:23,190 --> 00:04:29,110 Pythagoreans often lived a routine that started the day with listening to exciting, energizing 52 00:04:29,110 --> 00:04:33,800 music, and ended it with listening to calming and relaxing music. 53 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:40,699 In essence, a musical composition could be like a recipe for a medicine. 54 00:04:40,699 --> 00:04:47,130 Music is so powerful, in fact, that it can be used to persuade or manipulate other people’s 55 00:04:47,130 --> 00:04:48,130 emotions. 56 00:04:48,130 --> 00:04:53,330 Think of how the music in movies can completely control how the audience feels during a certain 57 00:04:53,330 --> 00:04:58,280 scene - whether it’s romantic, sad, scary, or funny. 58 00:04:58,280 --> 00:05:02,440 Think of how music is used in commercials and online advertisements. 59 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:07,910 A positive application of this idea, then, is that you can manipulate yourself in a good 60 00:05:07,910 --> 00:05:10,600 way, by using music. 61 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:16,760 So, to summarize: music helps you in life in all sorts of ways. 62 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:21,500 When you don’t feel able to do something or move on from something, just think of the 63 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:25,000 right music to get yourself out of that headspace. 64 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:30,260 But in order for that to work, you shouldn’t treat music carelessly, and don’t think 65 00:05:30,260 --> 00:05:32,919 of it as merely entertainment. 66 00:05:32,919 --> 00:05:38,970 It has to be truly listened to with all of one’s attention focused on it, and truly 67 00:05:38,970 --> 00:05:40,200 appreciated. 68 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,510 Close your eyes while you listen. 69 00:05:43,510 --> 00:05:45,509 Truly take the time. 70 00:05:45,509 --> 00:05:51,819 If you learn to truly appreciate music for what it is and what it can do, it can improve 71 00:05:51,819 --> 00:05:55,639 all aspects of your life. 72 00:05:55,639 --> 00:06:05,580 Don’t Get Stuck In The Finite Pythagoras advises us to ‘Despise all those 73 00:06:05,580 --> 00:06:10,970 things which when liberated from the body you will not want.’ 74 00:06:10,970 --> 00:06:18,530 One of Pythagoras’ most famous beliefs is that of metempsychosis - or, literally ‘transmigration 75 00:06:18,530 --> 00:06:19,660 of souls.’ 76 00:06:19,660 --> 00:06:24,180 A more common name for it however is ‘reincarnation.’ 77 00:06:24,180 --> 00:06:30,880 So, this theory claims that every soul is immortal, and after death it enters into a 78 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:32,380 new body. 79 00:06:32,380 --> 00:06:37,630 In other words: your body is temporary, but your soul is forever. 80 00:06:37,630 --> 00:06:42,130 While nowadays there’s little record of how Pythagoras exactly thought this worked 81 00:06:42,130 --> 00:06:46,660 in practice, we do know the advice that stems from this theory. 82 00:06:46,660 --> 00:06:51,100 In Pythagoras’ own words - or at least, so we have to assume: ‘Reason is immortal, 83 00:06:51,100 --> 00:06:56,330 all else mortal.’ 84 00:06:56,330 --> 00:07:02,360 Pythagoras placed a clear emphasis of importance on all things that concerned the soul, and 85 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:06,120 clearly regarded all bodily things inferior. 86 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:11,070 The reason for this is simple: our soul, who has access to infinite knowledge and thoughts 87 00:07:11,070 --> 00:07:15,540 as a result of being immortal, has far more to offer than our body. 88 00:07:15,540 --> 00:07:20,879 And, what’s more: our body often distracts from our soul. 89 00:07:20,879 --> 00:07:27,180 Some people are so lost in chasing bodily thrills, such as money, experiences, tasty 90 00:07:27,180 --> 00:07:34,471 food, et cetera, that . I mean of course everybody thinks, but some 91 00:07:34,471 --> 00:07:39,819 people’s thoughts always remain on a surface level: what should I eat for dinner? 92 00:07:39,819 --> 00:07:41,660 Where should I travel to next? 93 00:07:41,660 --> 00:07:44,200 What movies are playing in the cinema right now? 94 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:50,270 There are no broader thoughts around the world, the human condition, purpose, the meaning 95 00:07:50,270 --> 00:07:51,940 of joy, and so on. 96 00:07:51,940 --> 00:07:55,639 There is no deep use of reason. 97 00:07:55,639 --> 00:08:01,530 And it’s those kinds of thoughts, according to Pythagoras, that are the most important. 98 00:08:01,530 --> 00:08:08,629 The problem with bodily sensations is that they’re temporary, and thus always dissatisfying. 99 00:08:08,629 --> 00:08:15,190 When the food is consumed or the experience is over, humans always crave more. 100 00:08:15,190 --> 00:08:16,539 We have to! 101 00:08:16,539 --> 00:08:20,319 Reason, however, is forever. 102 00:08:20,319 --> 00:08:24,879 Finding something deeper you believe in or something meaningful you often think about 103 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:27,629 will permanently change your life. 104 00:08:27,629 --> 00:08:33,070 It gives you something permanent to carry with you and strive for a new lens to see 105 00:08:33,070 --> 00:08:35,219 the world through. 106 00:08:35,219 --> 00:08:40,150 One simple way to be more thoughtful about who you are as a person, is to recount the 107 00:08:40,150 --> 00:08:42,419 day before you go to sleep. 108 00:08:42,419 --> 00:08:48,620 Ask yourself the following three questions every night: What have I done today? 109 00:08:48,620 --> 00:08:51,170 What haven’t I done today, but should have? 110 00:08:51,170 --> 00:08:54,819 Have I turned away from doing the right thing today? 111 00:08:54,819 --> 00:09:00,130 This way, you can grow and learn as a person by merely spending a minute each night to 112 00:09:00,130 --> 00:09:01,130 think. 113 00:09:01,130 --> 00:09:08,070 You’ll find you will go into the next day more prepared, more thoughtful, and more compassionate. 114 00:09:08,070 --> 00:09:14,200 This exercise also forces you to think about ‘ought and should,’ and ‘right and wrong,’ 115 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:20,149 it will allow you to slowly start forming a meaningful theory on who you want to be 116 00:09:20,149 --> 00:09:21,480 and why. 117 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,570 It allows you to find something permanent within yourself. 118 00:09:25,570 --> 00:09:30,519 To take this idea even further, Pythagoras would encourage you to actually take time 119 00:09:30,519 --> 00:09:33,200 to philosophize about life. 120 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:38,900 Pythagoras was of the opinion that humans were made to ‘observe the heavens’ - in 121 00:09:38,900 --> 00:09:42,540 other words, theorize about the world. 122 00:09:42,540 --> 00:09:47,019 He considered those who didn’t slaves to money or ambition. 123 00:09:47,019 --> 00:09:53,420 Yes - even ambition in the finite things could be bad if it takes one’s sole focus and 124 00:09:53,420 --> 00:09:57,660 deprives one of the time and energy to use reason. 125 00:09:57,660 --> 00:10:03,519 We need to take time to think about what we think life means, what we think human beings 126 00:10:03,519 --> 00:10:09,180 fundamentally are, what we think is morally just or unjust. 127 00:10:09,180 --> 00:10:14,640 These kinds of thoughts and theories, Pythagoras argues, are essential to living a good and 128 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:16,240 happy life. 129 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:21,760 The conclusions you draw will be eternally motivating and satisfying, even if you tweak 130 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:24,250 them from time to time. 131 00:10:24,250 --> 00:10:29,310 In order to facilitate the kind of lifestyle that places focus on the soul instead of the 132 00:10:29,310 --> 00:10:35,950 body, Pythagorean followers would live together as a community, sharing all possessions and 133 00:10:35,950 --> 00:10:37,780 all tasks. 134 00:10:37,780 --> 00:10:44,350 As a result, there was no competition, chase of thrills, or room for bodily wants. 135 00:10:44,350 --> 00:10:49,580 All they did - and very successfully so, was think. 136 00:10:49,580 --> 00:10:55,029 Of course, there’s no way nor need to take it to such an extreme, personally. 137 00:10:55,029 --> 00:10:59,540 But there is a case to be made for taking a bit of time every evening to think the day 138 00:10:59,540 --> 00:11:06,019 over, and taking a longer time every now and then to mentally let go of all that only concerns 139 00:11:06,019 --> 00:11:12,519 the body and the temporary - to take the time to sit down and truly consider what you would 140 00:11:12,519 --> 00:11:19,579 want, do, and think about if you were your soul alone. 141 00:11:19,579 --> 00:11:26,850 Think Before You Speak And Act According to Pythagorus ‘In anger we should 142 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:32,329 refrain both from speech and action.’ 143 00:11:32,329 --> 00:11:36,760 Thinking clearly with your brain is at its best when you don't let your body's desires 144 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,760 and feelings take control. 145 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:44,839 So, if you use your brain to think before you speak or act, you'll probably make better 146 00:11:44,839 --> 00:11:45,970 choices. 147 00:11:45,970 --> 00:11:51,230 One of Pythagoras' crucial rules for living was to avoid saying or doing things when you're 148 00:11:51,230 --> 00:11:53,200 really angry. 149 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:59,690 It's challenging to control strong emotions like anger, but it's a valuable skill to learn. 150 00:11:59,690 --> 00:12:05,019 If you act primarily out of anger or other strong feelings, you'll likely wish you hadn't 151 00:12:05,019 --> 00:12:06,450 later on. 152 00:12:06,450 --> 00:12:10,209 When you're emotional, you don't really think about the risks or what might happen because 153 00:12:10,209 --> 00:12:12,519 of what you say or do. 154 00:12:12,519 --> 00:12:16,890 Pythagoras believed that it's better to think carefully about what you're going to say or 155 00:12:16,890 --> 00:12:20,889 do, rather than doing things on the spur of the moment. 156 00:12:20,889 --> 00:12:26,000 He thought that being quiet and not doing anything could be very powerful. 157 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:30,769 It shows that you can control yourself and think before you act. 158 00:12:30,769 --> 00:12:35,790 If you choose to speak or do something, you should think about whether it's really worth 159 00:12:35,790 --> 00:12:38,269 breaking the peaceful silence. 160 00:12:38,269 --> 00:12:43,480 Pythagoras believed that most of the time, what you say or do isn't as valuable as the 161 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:49,660 calm silence you give up for it . Indeed, he’s often quoted as saying, "Either stay 162 00:12:49,660 --> 00:12:55,300 quiet or make sure your words are more valuable than silence." 163 00:12:55,300 --> 00:13:01,810 To follow this advice, you can start by recognizing when you're feeling particularly strong emotions 164 00:13:01,810 --> 00:13:07,370 and then making an effort to stay quiet and not do anything impulsive when those emotions 165 00:13:07,370 --> 00:13:09,260 are taking over. 166 00:13:09,260 --> 00:13:15,230 Here's a simple way to do it: Whenever you notice yourself feeling intense emotions, 167 00:13:15,230 --> 00:13:21,260 try to consciously think, "I am having an intense emotion." 168 00:13:21,260 --> 00:13:26,380 Maybe at first, you can only do this after the emotions have passed, but with practice, 169 00:13:26,380 --> 00:13:29,949 you'll get better at recognizing them as they happen. 170 00:13:29,949 --> 00:13:35,300 Along with that first thought, tell yourself, "That's why I shouldn't say or do anything 171 00:13:35,300 --> 00:13:36,990 right now." 172 00:13:36,990 --> 00:13:42,089 By thinking this way, you let your rational thinking control your actions instead of your 173 00:13:42,089 --> 00:13:44,110 strong feelings. 174 00:13:44,110 --> 00:13:49,670 The emotions won't disappear, but you can choose to do something like taking a walk, 175 00:13:49,670 --> 00:13:55,480 sitting quietly, sleeping, or finding something to distract yourself until the intense feeling 176 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:56,870 calms down. 177 00:13:56,870 --> 00:14:02,620 Then, when you're calmer, you can think about what actions would be truly helpful. 178 00:14:02,620 --> 00:14:08,880 For example, imagine you recently bought something you really wanted, but the next day, your 179 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:12,630 little brother tells you that he accidentally broke it. 180 00:14:12,630 --> 00:14:15,690 Your first reaction might be to get mad at him. 181 00:14:15,690 --> 00:14:20,410 But that won't help you get your thing back, and it won't make anyone feel better. 182 00:14:20,410 --> 00:14:23,570 Instead, you can try something else. 183 00:14:23,570 --> 00:14:27,730 When you start to feel really upset, take a break. 184 00:14:27,730 --> 00:14:33,620 Later, when you're calmer, talk to your brother calmly about what happened. 185 00:14:33,620 --> 00:14:38,389 Ask him how it got broken and if there should be a rule about not going into your room. 186 00:14:38,389 --> 00:14:40,149 Can it be fixed? 187 00:14:40,149 --> 00:14:44,910 Maybe you can turn fixing it into a project you can take on together? 188 00:14:44,910 --> 00:14:49,880 Taking a moment of friction and turning it into an opportunity for growth. 189 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,139 This kind of response is genuinely helpful. 190 00:14:53,139 --> 00:14:56,680 It makes everyone feel better and more relaxed. 191 00:14:56,680 --> 00:15:01,649 But to pull off this strategy, you have to be consciously aware of your emotions and 192 00:15:01,649 --> 00:15:05,850 take a break first. 193 00:15:05,850 --> 00:15:11,420 Think For Yourself In the words of Pythagoras “Do not take 194 00:15:11,420 --> 00:15:15,300 roads traveled by the public.” 195 00:15:15,300 --> 00:15:20,630 Living a fulfilling life, according to Pythagoras, means avoiding the trap of blindly following 196 00:15:20,630 --> 00:15:21,899 the crowd. 197 00:15:21,899 --> 00:15:27,350 He believed that the majority tend to stick to norms and routines, lacking the inventiveness 198 00:15:27,350 --> 00:15:31,250 and creativity required to forge new paths. 199 00:15:31,250 --> 00:15:36,089 If you're seeking a novel way of living, a fresh solution to a new problem, or aiming 200 00:15:36,089 --> 00:15:42,529 to make a meaningful impact, you won't discover it in the well-trodden lanes of conformity. 201 00:15:42,529 --> 00:15:48,290 True innovation demands creativity and independent thinking. 202 00:15:48,290 --> 00:15:53,199 Pythagoras emphasized the importance of relying on your own mind and abilities. 203 00:15:53,199 --> 00:15:57,230 When you possess the power to govern your actions and thoughts, rather than being swayed 204 00:15:57,230 --> 00:16:05,560 by public expectations, you become unshakable because you don't depend on external forces. 205 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:11,420 Consider this scenario: Imagine someone whose life dream is to help others, and the prevailing 206 00:16:11,420 --> 00:16:17,040 notion is that the only or best way to achieve this is by becoming a doctor. 207 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:23,040 Suddenly, your ability to attain your dream is contingent on numerous factors—access 208 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:28,120 to the right education, finding a job, and possessing the requisite talents to become 209 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:29,459 a doctor. 210 00:16:29,459 --> 00:16:34,519 If circumstances beyond your control, such as unavailability of a nearby medical school 211 00:16:34,519 --> 00:16:40,950 or financial constraints, block your path, your dream becomes unattainable. 212 00:16:40,950 --> 00:16:46,060 Pythagoras wouldn't discourage you from pursuing a medical career, but he'd urge you to have 213 00:16:46,060 --> 00:16:49,690 your own well-thought-out reasons for doing so. 214 00:16:49,690 --> 00:16:54,360 If you believe that becoming a doctor isn't possible or doesn't align with your individual 215 00:16:54,360 --> 00:17:00,769 aspirations, Pythagoras would encourage you to explore alternative ways of helping people. 216 00:17:00,769 --> 00:17:04,140 What do you personally find meaningful and helpful? 217 00:17:04,140 --> 00:17:07,449 Are there unmet needs in your community that you can address? 218 00:17:07,449 --> 00:17:12,780 Are there innovative, undiscovered ways to make a difference in the lives of others? 219 00:17:12,780 --> 00:17:18,360 By thinking independently and creatively, you'll realize that there's always a way forward 220 00:17:18,360 --> 00:17:21,750 if you're willing to delve deep into your boundless mind. 221 00:17:21,750 --> 00:17:30,230 While the public mindset may be limited, your mind is limitless. 222 00:17:30,230 --> 00:17:36,880 Be Gentle To Those Around You To quote Pythagorus; “As long as man continues 223 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:44,190 to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings he will never know health or peace. 224 00:17:44,190 --> 00:17:49,250 For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.” 225 00:17:49,250 --> 00:17:55,220 One important rule that Pythagoreans live by is to be gentle to every soul around them 226 00:17:55,220 --> 00:18:02,400 - including animals, for they too, according to Pythagoras, have a soul like we do. 227 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:08,330 In his own words: ‘Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul.’ 228 00:18:08,330 --> 00:18:13,220 As a result, some think he was a supporter of the veganist lifestyle. 229 00:18:13,220 --> 00:18:18,480 The treatment of animals is, according to Pythagoras, a representation of how we could 230 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:21,090 treat our fellow men, too. 231 00:18:21,090 --> 00:18:26,190 If we slaughter animals with no regard for their health, well-being, or experience of 232 00:18:26,190 --> 00:18:30,860 pain, then we didn’t really care about our fellow man either. 233 00:18:30,860 --> 00:18:37,940 A real gentle soul is gentle to every being with a soul. 234 00:18:37,940 --> 00:18:43,409 According to Pythagoras, being kind and respectful to those around you is not just a virtue, 235 00:18:43,409 --> 00:18:46,820 but something that is important to yourself as well. 236 00:18:46,820 --> 00:18:51,360 He was of the opinion that people who aren’t gentle to others have no way of achieving 237 00:18:51,360 --> 00:18:54,440 a happy and free life. 238 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:59,799 Gentle people are people that can and will be trusted by others, that will avoid the 239 00:18:59,799 --> 00:19:03,800 most conflict and fights, and get the most help. 240 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:09,980 Being gentle is a universal charity that you will get back if you give it away. 241 00:19:09,980 --> 00:19:15,690 Being kind and respectful to others makes it easier for you to make friends and keep 242 00:19:15,690 --> 00:19:17,780 those friends. 243 00:19:17,780 --> 00:19:21,200 Friends are very important, according to Pythagoras. 244 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:26,280 He talks about friends as important companions on your journey in life, and that they’ll 245 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,350 help you find the path to a happier life. 246 00:19:29,350 --> 00:19:34,530 If you ask friends for help or advice, you get advice from people who truly want the 247 00:19:34,530 --> 00:19:41,820 best for you or in other words, the most genuine and thought-out advice you can get. 248 00:19:41,820 --> 00:19:48,840 But it remains important to see your gentleness and respectfulness as a universal act. 249 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:53,650 You have to act that way towards everyone, not just the people you are trying to befriend 250 00:19:53,650 --> 00:19:58,860 - they will notice that you act differently towards different people, and most likely 251 00:19:58,860 --> 00:20:02,010 distance themselves from you because of that. 252 00:20:02,010 --> 00:20:05,910 It’ll give them an uncertain feeling around you. 253 00:20:05,910 --> 00:20:11,350 And rightfully so: because if you change your mind about them, you might start to treat 254 00:20:11,350 --> 00:20:12,820 them differently. 255 00:20:12,820 --> 00:20:18,450 Instead, try to show that you respect everyone around you, regardless of your personal opinion 256 00:20:18,450 --> 00:20:19,690 of them. 257 00:20:19,690 --> 00:20:24,880 Being able to remain friendly even to those you personally dislike shows a certain strength 258 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:30,220 and control that will help you in all other areas of life as well. 259 00:20:30,220 --> 00:20:35,600 And aside from friends, it’s once again important to note that another important consequence 260 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:40,290 of being gentle to those around you is that you’ll be someone who is well-liked even 261 00:20:40,290 --> 00:20:43,559 by acquaintances or strangers. 262 00:20:43,559 --> 00:20:48,810 If you are ever in need, you can ask around and people will be happy to help you. 263 00:20:48,810 --> 00:20:53,470 And a friendly attitude and genuine smile every now and then can work as incredible 264 00:20:53,470 --> 00:20:57,460 motivation to work towards what you need or want. 265 00:20:57,460 --> 00:21:03,299 Moreover, you’ll inspire people around you to act the same - towards you, and perhaps 266 00:21:03,299 --> 00:21:06,170 even towards others in their life. 267 00:21:06,170 --> 00:21:11,700 In short, the ones best fit for a happy and free life are those that are gentle. 268 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:16,910 And the more you learn to be gentle to those around you, the happier and more free you 269 00:21:16,910 --> 00:21:20,600 will feel. 270 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:25,450 Have Self-Respect In our final quote from Pythagoras for this 271 00:21:25,450 --> 00:21:33,549 video, he says “Above all things, respect yourself.” 272 00:21:33,549 --> 00:21:40,000 One of the most important beings to be gentle to in your life, is yourself. 273 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,850 According to Pythagoras, you have to truly respect yourself. 274 00:21:43,850 --> 00:21:46,549 This doesn’t just mean self-care. 275 00:21:46,549 --> 00:21:51,289 You have to have a strong sense of purpose and self-discipline. 276 00:21:51,289 --> 00:21:57,140 Pythagoreans lived their days by a very strict schedule that included many rituals and dietary 277 00:21:57,140 --> 00:21:58,330 restrictions. 278 00:21:58,330 --> 00:22:04,190 One of the most effective ways to practice self-respect is to practice self-control. 279 00:22:04,190 --> 00:22:09,679 Know what you want, figure out the most effective way to achieve it, and make sure not to act 280 00:22:09,679 --> 00:22:12,590 in any other ways. 281 00:22:12,590 --> 00:22:17,549 Self control includes finding the energy to motivate yourself when you’re not motivated, 282 00:22:17,549 --> 00:22:22,419 to think of the bigger picture and ignore the temporary setbacks or desires, to think 283 00:22:22,419 --> 00:22:28,440 before you speak and act so that you can do so in the most effective way, to not cave 284 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:33,049 in to others’ attempts to convince you of something that you are unsure about, and to 285 00:22:33,049 --> 00:22:37,429 be gentle even when you don’t feel like it. 286 00:22:37,429 --> 00:22:44,179 Moreover, self-control is best practiced by trying out a daily schedule or routine and 287 00:22:44,179 --> 00:22:49,799 by learning to force yourself to sit down and think about something before you do it. 288 00:22:49,799 --> 00:22:57,461 Pythagoras even said that: ‘The oldest, shortest words - "yes" and "no" - are those 289 00:22:57,461 --> 00:23:00,059 which require the most thought.’ 290 00:23:00,059 --> 00:23:05,070 Because every time someone asks you something, you have to think of what reasons you’d 291 00:23:05,070 --> 00:23:10,210 be doing it for, and whether it’s self-destructive. 292 00:23:10,210 --> 00:23:15,600 Self-respect is all about finding balance - knowing the difference between being a people-pleaser 293 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:22,680 and selfish, knowing the difference between being overworked and lazy, et cetera. 294 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:27,140 You practice by experiencing, thinking, and reflecting. 295 00:23:27,140 --> 00:23:33,200 The person that is most important to treat well is yourself, because If you learn to 296 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:40,270 respect yourself, you can then apply all of Pythagoras’ other lessons to your life as 297 00:23:40,270 --> 00:23:42,090 well. 298 00:23:42,090 --> 00:23:45,770 If you enjoyed this video, please make sure to check out our full philosophies for life 299 00:23:45,770 --> 00:23:51,179 playlist and for more videos to help you find success and happiness using beautiful philosophical 300 00:23:51,179 --> 00:23:53,910 wisdom, don’t forget to subscribe. 301 00:23:53,910 --> 00:23:56,450 Thanks so much for watching.