One day, Socrates took his students to class in the busiest market in Athens.
After visiting the market, Socrates asked the students: "What did you find in this market?"
The students replied in a hurry: " There are a lot of things in the market, there are a lot of delicious, beautiful and fun things, there are countless new things, everything from clothing, food, housing and transportation. If it weren't for the teacher, you are giving a lecture. We will definitely buy a cart full of goods and go home."
Socrates nodded, and then said: "On the contrary, in this market, I discovered that there is something in this world. There are so many things I don’t need..."
Why did Socrates and his students have two completely different understandings of the same thing and produce two completely different opinions?
Have you ever gone shopping? What do you buy on the street? Why didn't Socrates need it?
Do you find it strange? If you know Socrates, this will not be surprising at all.
In the history of European culture, Socrates has always been regarded as a saint who died in pursuit of truth. It is almost the same position as Confucius in our country's history. Socrates ushered in a new era of Greek philosophy. His thoughts have influenced Western philosophy from the Hellenistic and Roman times to later generations.
Socrates has a famous saying, "The secret of happiness lies not in seeking more of what you want, but in cultivating the ability to be pure in desire."
Socrates on life He doesn't pay much attention to it. He wears a single coat all year round, often without shoes, and even goes out without washing up. They are not particular about food and other issues. He simply cannot see the trivial matters of life. His whole mind and passion are devoted to his favorite career.
Now let’s go back to the story and see that it’s not surprising at all to see the completely different answers between him and the students. Yes, Socrates is such a person. In his heart, Only the knowledge he likes. Everything else is just clouds.
Because human life is limited, naturally human energy is also limited. He doesn't want those "floating clouds" to waste his limited life and consume his limited energy. He devoted his whole life to his favorite cause and his beloved knowledge.
He was devoted to his love and would do it until death.
I suddenly thought of Wei Dongyi, the sweeping monk from Peking University who became popular some time ago.
There is a saying circulating in Peking University: If students don't know the question, ask the teacher. If the teacher doesn't know the question, ask Wei Dongyi. If Wei Dongyi doesn't know the question, then the question is wrong. .
Wei Dongyi is simply a god-like existence at Peking University. And he is just a post-90s generation. In the eyes of many parents, those born in the 1990s are still just children.
When he was in high school, he participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad twice and won gold medals twice with perfect scores, and his answers were simpler and clearer than the standard answers. He has made major breakthroughs in scientific research results and published more than ten papers in international mathematics journals. A single bonus for scientific research awards can reach more than one million yuan. He is fully capable and qualified to live a higher quality life. However, his happiness does not lie there. He has always been immersed in his mathematical kingdom. In terms of food, clothing, dressing up and other trivial matters of life. He was reluctant to spend time and energy.
There are too many people at home and abroad like this who have devoted their whole life to the cause of mankind.
Wang Xizhi, a calligraphy sage of his generation, has never surpassed his attainments in calligraphy. He was completely immersed in the world of calligraphy and couldn't extricate himself. One time when I was eating, I dipped my food in ink and ate it without knowing it.
Jia Dao concentrated on studying poems and accidentally entered Han Yu's guard of honor. There is a wonderful story about "the bird stayed in the tree by the pond, and the monk knocked on the door under the moon", which has been passed down through the ages.
Chen Jingrun was so immersed in his research that he stayed in the toilet, forgot to get a haircut, and bumped into a tree while walking, which has always been a good story.
Newton was so obsessed with work that he mistakenly cooked an egg with his pocket watch;
Madame Curie was so obsessed with reading that she didn’t move at all, and the stool set up by her friends behind her refused to fall over;
Edison was fascinated by the discovery that he had been wearing a shabby coat for many years and had no time to change it...
Some time ago, a reporter interviewed a Tsinghua student. He said that the top picks from all provinces across the country all had the same appearance: they were dressed very plainly, and their daily necessities and stationery were simple and simple, with none of them being fancy.
On the other hand, those who dress up in fancy clothes, paint dragons and tigers, and have schoolbags full of toys, where do they spend their thoughts, energy, and time? Where are they now?
…
After saying so much, I just want to prove one question: Wherever you spend your time, mind, energy, and time, your achievements will be there. Human life and energy are limited, and you must make choices.
At this point, will there be any "gangsters" who will come out and ask: Do we just want to be a learning machine, and we can't even take care of ourselves?
You ask a good question.
I also state that I did not ask you to do that. On the other hand, if we look at those who cannot take care of themselves after learning to use machines, does the problem lie with them or with education?
I just want to tell you that you have your own pursuits. Do you want to pursue material and animal instinct desires, or do you want to pursue a higher level of spiritual pursuit?
Everyone has their own choice. We have the right and the ability to choose the life we ??want.
Okay, let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s do the “Discovery at the Market” thinking training as usual, also to enhance understanding and memory.
1. What do you think Socrates wants to tell the students in this story?
He wanted to warn his students, where are you spending your thoughts? Where you put your thoughts and energy, there will be success.
Don’t let those bells and whistles take up too much of your energy.
2. Think about it - what do you want?
I am not as great as Socrates, but like Socrates, I do not have as many material pursuits, and I am also a person with a pure heart.
I just want to take good care of the person who gave birth to me without leaving any regrets; I want to train the person who gave birth to me well and contribute to the country; I want to make achievements in my major. I have spent my whole life; I want my hobbies and love to benefit more people...
3. Tell me how this story inspired you.
If you want to achieve something, you have to make choices.
Don’t just focus on the glory in front of others, but also see the efforts and dedication of others behind you.