Quotes Reflections

Nothing Absolutely in Our Power

René Descartes‘ Discourse on the Method is the source for the timeless quote, “I think, therefore I am.”

In his treatise, Descartes outlines four maxims to act as his moral code, which includes an invaluable lesson for imperfectionists:

“Endeavor always to conquer myself rather than fortune, and change my desires rather than the order of the world, and in general, accustom myself to the persuasion that, except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power; so that when we have done our best in things external to us, our ill-success cannot possibly be failure on our part.”

Do you act for internal growth or external approval?

Is your life so controlled that you don’t live at all?

How stressed do you get when little things start to slip out of your control?

Do you focus on changing others’ behaviors instead of your own?

Do you understand that much of what happens to you is completely out of your control?

In reality, almost everything in our external environment is completely out of our control. Once you begin to understand that, you’ll make more room in your heart and mind for the things that really matter.

"Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power; so that when we have done our best in things external to us, our ill-success cannot possibly be failure on our part." -René Descartes (Discourse on the Method)

“Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power; so that when we have done our best in things external to us, our ill-success cannot possibly be failure on our part.” -René Descartes (Discourse on the Method)

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