☀️ Stoic Morning Minute: What Oscar Wilde Can Teach Us About True Authenticity (A Stoic's Take)

💭 Modern Translation

Wilde's witty advice to "be yourself" sounds like modern authenticity culture, but a Stoic would give it a crucial twist: Yes, be yourself—but focus on being your best self according to nature and virtue, not just whatever impulses happen to arise. The "self" worth being is the one aligned with wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.

⚡️ Your Move

Next time you catch yourself saying "I'm just being me" to justify a reaction:

• Pause and ask: "Which version of me am I being right now?"

• Consider: "Is this my impulse-driven self or my virtue-aligned self?"

• Choose: "What would my wisest self do in this situation?"

• Remember that authenticity without virtue is just impulsiveness with a better marketing team

🤔 Today's Question

Which version of "yourself" shows up most often in challenging situations—your reactive self or your reflective self?

Here’s to you,

Jon

—Today’s newsletter is sponsored by MECO.

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