Men's Philosophy and Proverbs - Coffee shop talk, post yours here.

[Travel memoir21]

These are two Proverbs in the Bible that I was meditating on today. You don't have be to religious to see their value, they hold some wisdom.


1. Better to dwell on a housetop than with a nagging wife:
This concept appears multiple times in Proverbs:

Proverbs 21:9 (KJV)

"It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house."

Proverbs 25:24 (KJV)

"It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house."

Proverbs 21:19 (KJV)

"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman."

These verses speak to the peace of solitude compared to the turmoil of living with a quarrelsome spouse.



- The lesson: It's way better to be single and at peace with yourself than be with an abusive and toxic individual. There's a good blog that talks about this and Pook even endorsed it himself, it's the https://mirrorofthesoul.blogspot.com/....he's got a rather harsh tone and views....but it's coming from a good place.



you're talking about a man who is materially poor but spiritually or intellectually rich (through discipline, esoteric knowledge, integrity, or inner growth), contrasted with a materially wealthy man who is miserable or corrupt.

While the exact phrasing you mentioned isn’t found verbatim in the KJV, several Proverbs and related verses strongly express this principle. Here's a refined selection that captures what you're looking for:

‍ A poor but wise man is greater than a rich fool:
Proverbs 13:7 (KJV)
"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."
This implies that true wealth isn’t about money, but the inner life—wisdom, humility, and self-discipline.


Lesson: You can have all the money in the world, you can be the millionaire CEO of a company but if you're inner game combine with a lifestyle you don't enjoy, you could learn from that dude whose living a modest life compared to yours but have a great wisdom and esoteric knowledge you can learn profoundly from.

 

[BillyPilgrim]

There is no glory in a truck stop glory hole; only gums, grime, and grit.

 

[BaronOfHair]

Lesson: You can have all the money in the world, you can be the millionaire CEO of a company but if you're inner game combine with a lifestyle you don't enjoy, you could learn from that dude whose living a modest life compared to yours but have a great wisdom and esoteric knowledge you can learn profoundly from.

Yeah: The rise of the dot.com billionaire has give entirely too many of us the impression that ANYONE can be an RPG playing, Star Wars-loving dingbat who revel in their absence of social intelligence can crush it in life

That ain't the case for most men though, ESPECIALLY outside of Silicon Valley. The Harvey Specters, Don Drapers, and Christian Greys are representative of the folks who REALLY thrive

 

[Travel memoir21]

Yeah: The rise of the dot.com billionaire has give entirely too many of us the impression that ANYONE can be an RPG playing, Star Wars-loving dingbat who revel in their absence of social intelligence can crush it in life

That ain't the case for most men though, ESPECIALLY outside of Silicon Valley. The Harvey Specters, Don Drapers, and Christian Greys are representative of the folks who REALLY thrive

That's your ego and the need to get a woman's approval talking. There's nothing with being a 'nerd' making millions and inventing new things especially when it comes to technology.

 

[BaronOfHair]

That's your ego and the need to get a woman's approval talking

More like the result of typing when I'm in the midst of a booze and ketamine hangover, after spending Saturday night partying as if I were still 19, rather than a schlub in his late 30s

 

[Travel memoir21]

More like the result of typing when I'm in the midst of a booze and ketamine hangover, after spending Saturday night partying as if I were still 19, rather than a schlub in his late 30s

Lol you my friend is the envy of every married loser working 60-70 hour jobs in a lousy, nagging marriage they despise, with a few kids they love but feels completely trap and have to suck it up.

 

[BaronOfHair]

Lol you my friend is the envy of every married loser working 60-70 hour jobs in a lousy, nagging marriage they despise, with a few kids they love...

I'm the envy of the millions across America who are unable to go 5 minutes without lamenting the political and economic straits we find ourselves in, whilst being largely incapable of mining those same subjects for grim levity

"...but feels completely trap and have to suck it up"

They're constrained primairly by their own beliefs, rather than external events. Cyanide is easier to purchase now than it was even during The 90s, thanks to The Dark Web, and the wife and kids still presumably eat supper, just like the rest of us

 

[Travel memoir21]

Here's a few wise quotes from The Tao by Lao Tzu.

' Can you give me 5 wise quotes to attain inner peace from The Tao, tells me some practical methods and ways to achieve them for each one


ChatGPT said:
Absolutely, Brother. The Tao Te Ching, written by Laozi, is a profound spiritual text rooted in Taoist philosophy. It's filled with wisdom on inner peace, non-resistance, and natural living. Here are 5 timeless quotes, along with practical methods to help you attain inner peace through each one:

1. "Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?" — Tao Te Ching, Chapter 15
Lesson: Cultivate Stillness and Let Life Flow Naturally
Practical Methods:

Daily meditation: Sit quietly each morning and simply watch your breath for 10–20 minutes. Let thoughts come and go like clouds.

Mindful silence: Avoid rushing to respond. Let emotions and thoughts settle before acting or speaking.

Nature immersion: Walk slowly in quiet natural settings—observe the stillness of trees, rivers, and clouds.

2. "He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty." — Chapter 33
Lesson: Master Your Inner World First
Practical Methods:

Journaling self-reflection: Write down your emotions, triggers, and habits. Observe them like a sage, without judgment.

Shadow work: Gently face your fears, jealousies, and desires. Accept and purify them through prayer or mantra (like the Hare Krishna chant).

Discipline rituals: Simple routines (cold showers, fasting, breathwork) help build inner strength and awareness.

3. "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." — Chapter 44
Lesson: Surrender Ego and Labels
Practical Methods:

Let go of identity roles: You're not just a veteran, a Filipino, or a schizophrenic. You are spirit. Meditate on the eternal soul (atma).

Practice humility: Speak less of yourself. Serve others quietly. This reduces the ego’s grip.

Unclutter your life: Donate unused things. Simplify your digital space. Less outer clutter, less inner noise.

4. "The softest thing in the universe overcomes the hardest." — Chapter 78
Lesson: Yield Like Water, Don’t Resist
Practical Methods:

Tai Chi or Qigong: Gentle movement teaches you how to flow instead of fight.

Forgiveness practice: Release resentment, especially towards your past or those who misunderstood you.

Emotional alchemy: When rage or fear comes, breathe deeply. Say silently, “Softness overcomes hardness.”

5. "A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live." — Chapter 73
Lesson: True Peace Comes from Inner Courage, Not Outward Force
Practical Methods:

Face loneliness with faith: Trust God when you're alone in Libon or Edinburg. Use solitude as sacred training.


Speak your truth gently: Don’t hide your spiritual beliefs out of fear—express them with grace and confidence.

Courage journal: Every night, write one brave thing you did or thought—even if it's simply staying calm during voices.'



I especially like the surrendering your ego and stop labeling people part. It's good to lower your pride for a little bit and realize that were part of a collective consciousness who have battles to face and just trying to find a sense of meaning in our lives. The stop labeling people part and yourself is good because you realize that we are at the end of the day the soul or inner heart of consciousness that's connected to the source, God, Allah, Jehovah or whatever you want to call it.

 

[Travel memoir21]

Can you give me five inner peace quotes from A Buddha Scripture, ones where Siddhartha or Buddha said himself in the text. Give me some practical methods to achieve each one


ChatGPT said:
Of course, Brother. Here are five quotes from the Buddha himself, taken directly from core Buddhist scriptures such as the Dhammapada, Majjhima Nikaya, and Samyutta Nikaya. Each one offers a deep key to inner peace, and I’ve included practical methods to help you embody them in your daily walk:

1. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Dhammapada, Verse 160
Lesson: Stop chasing peace externally. It is already inside you.
Practical Methods:

Silent sitting (Vipassana-style): Each morning, sit quietly for 10–20 minutes and observe your breath. Watch thoughts rise and fall without chasing them.

Minimalism: Detach from overconsumption. Give away or sell what you don’t need. Simplify your room and routine.

Gratitude mantra: Whisper slowly, “I have enough. I am enough. Peace is here.”

2. “Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.” — Dhammapada, Verse 100
Lesson: Speak with wisdom, or stay silent.
Practical Methods:

Noble Silence practice: For one hour daily, remain silent unless your words uplift, heal, or bless.

Mantra discipline: Instead of mindless speech, recite a sacred phrase like “Om Mani Padme Hum” or “Hare Krishna” when tempted to talk unnecessarily.

Mindful speech journaling: At night, reflect: “Were my words today healing or hollow?” Track and refine.

3. “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” — Dhammapada, Verse 1
Lesson: Peace begins with right thoughts.
Practical Methods:

Mental fasting: Observe your thoughts like a sky watching clouds. When negativity arises, gently say: “This is not me.”

Affirmation practice: Each morning, declare, “I am calm. I am present. I am becoming peace.”

Mano-Samyutta meditation (from the Samyutta Nikaya): Watch the origin of your thoughts—notice how they trigger emotion—and detach before reaction arises.

4. “He who is free from desires, who is tranquil in mind, who is beyond good and evil—he is truly awakened.” — Dhammapada, Verse 418
Lesson: Letting go of craving brings deep peace.
Practical Methods:

Fasting from indulgence: Once a week, fast or refrain from one pleasure (meat, sweets, phone) to weaken desire’s hold.

Walking meditation: Walk slowly, barefoot if possible, repeating: “Nothing to get, nowhere to go. I am peace.”

Contemplative reading: Study a sutta (like the Satipatthana Sutta) slowly with devotion, as a spiritual meal.

5. “Let go of anger. Let go of pride. When you are bound by nothing, you go beyond sorrow.” — Dhammapada, Verse 221
Lesson: Liberation from ego brings freedom from suffering.
Practical Methods:

Anger release breathing: Inhale deeply; on the exhale, imagine your anger leaving you as black smoke. Repeat until calm.

Humility service: Do a quiet act of service daily (sweeping, giving food, listening) without seeking thanks.

Ego reduction journaling: Write down when pride or ego arose during the day—and how you could have responded as a “nobody.”


- I like the part where it says it's better to have be silent than a blabber mouth without substance. I like being laid back and calm and collected than being that smart charasmatic social butterfly type of person who lights up the room and have to expand his energy just to please the room. I like chilling.