Diogenes of Sinope said, “We sell things of great value for things of very little…”

Marcus Aurelius said. “We always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up and trouble your soul about things we cannot control.”

How much of our precious life do we sell in voicing our opinion in conversations about matters or situations that are out of our control?

How much of our life do we spend making worthless arguments?

The great Stoics of the ancient past taught that silence has great value. When one learns to be silent and to begin to learn to control their passion for voicing their opinions and start controlling oneself from being sucked into arguments that, in truth, have no value in the long run, one will begin to recognize how much their life truly is worth.

Becoming aware of how often and where we get involved with matters that cause us to sell our life to the next bidder is an everyday journey of self-improvement.

Keep in mind that when you respond to everything, whether it be by way of an opinion or futile arguments, you hand your energy over to the world.

Terry Hayes
3/28/26