Aeschylus' Quote of Wisdom

Aeschylus, a Greek tragedian, is known for his quote “wisdom alone comes through suffering.”, and that suggests that one can only gain wisdom through experiencing suffering or hardship. While I personally think you can attain it through other means, conversely suffering is THE pinnacle teacher.

It implies that it is through the challenges and difficulties we face that we are able to learn and grow as individuals. No one can truly know what made the version of you that we see now. Each person is fighting their own demons. With that in mind, are there experiences in your life that you think have lead to your current level of wisdom?

Let's take another look at the quote:

“Wisdom alone comes through suffering.”

While you can attain knowledge from a plethora of sources, the idea here is that wisdom. Something more ethereal in a way, is purely attained through the strife and trauma of life.

Philosophy comes from Philos - Sophia, or the love of wisdom. Thus if you love to attain wisdom, then the benefit of suffering is that of the lessons learned. Not that you love suffering, but that to the informed. The benefit of wisdom is worth the pain. They say that "ignorance is bliss", and so the less you know the happier you are. It seems clear to me that these two dynamics are connected.

Wisdom can sometimes come from those who have suffered, such as a guru or mentor. Allowing you to attain it without the cost, but how well you retain it depends on your level of absorption. Some people don't LISTEN to their teachers.

The Role of Suffering in Personal Growth

The plight of humanity, is that we ALL suffer. How much and by what source, will change from person to person. I know that in my life I've had my fair share, but compared to others my life was a cakewalk.

To have that perspective I think makes me lucky, and it truly makes me empathize with what other people have to go through.

In order to grow as a person, yes we need to learn or exercise, but to truly GROW; That comes from the lessons we learned over the course of life. It shapes who we are, and only can let it shape us. If it shapes us into a bad outcome, that is our fault, but if it shapes us into a positive change for good. That is also our doing.

The trials and tribulations we face as people, as individuals, they curate the experience of life for us. We can choose how we perceive those lessons, and we can conclude our own interpretation from the meaning.

e.g., Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning

My Personal Perspective on Suffering

I don't think I would be half the man I was if I didn't go through the experiences, that I have had to face. I've had a painful life, and I don't always let those bits of history out.

Mainly because I don't see a point. It is not that I think I am weak for sharing them, but that by sharing them people would share their sympathy. Perhaps by a multitude considering everything that happened. However who does that help?

It would only make me a center of attention, when that isn't the type of attention I need in life. I want to learn from my past, whether good or bad, and simply move on. Maybe that's me bottling things up, I don't so, or maybe it is my ethos. Not sure yet.

Everyone has their own struggles, and everyone is fighting their own demons. Who is to say my demons are any worse than another's?

Lessons from my Past

I could pull from a number of places, from abuse in my youth, bullying, or the loss of my late-mentor.

However that negativity would only weigh us down. These lessons taught me that no matter what, in the end only you can choose who you want to be. This idea is reflected in the concept of “trials and tribulations,” which suggests that it is through overcoming obstacles and adversity that we are able to develop strength, resilience, and wisdom.

Some of my family members have pointed out to me on occasion, that they are so surprised how well I turned out given where I came from.

While suffering can be difficult and painful, it can ultimately lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The Balance Between Acceptance and Moving Forward

I chose not to dwell on the past because there is no point. If you linger in the past, then it anchors you down. It prevents you from flying into your future.

I tend to make the mistake of being TOO Much into the future, as that is more of my problem. Meaning I should try to stay more balanced in the present moment.

Keep this in your heart, but acceptance doesn't necessarily mean that you forget that it happened. It is not that it didn't happen, and that you are okay with it even. Rather it is simply the mindset of that it DID happen, but it is in the past. It can only effect you, IF you let it, and so by accepting that it occured.

Then you release yourself from it weighing you down.

Closing Reflections

Suffering is painful, and there is no changing that. Sometimes it takes time for those wounds to heal. Remember that it is okay to feel that pain, and in order to process it. You have to feel it.

Take a moment today, this week, this month, and reflect on your life. What happened throughout it, that you are still holding onto. Remember to let go of the past, it just doesn't matter anymore.

Please watch this. I rewatch it every year, to let myself feel any pain that surfaces. So that I can move on, and focus on the present.

I have learned from the moments of grief, abuse, and loneliness. They’ll always be a part of me, but I don’t have to let them BE me.

If you want to keep reading:

Previous Shorter Version:

This was one of my "social articles", an experiment to create medium sized blog posts, akin to newsletters. Across a variety of social blogging networking platforms. Such as Medium, Vocal Media, and Linkedin. Since it didn't quite land; I decided to take these posts and remake them into more full length creations.