The Sword of Damocles
About 2,500 years ago, Dionysius the Tyrant ruled Syracuse in Sicily. It’s been recorded he was so wealthy he wanted for nothing. Damocles a court flatterer was certain that wealth was all it took to be happy. When Damocles proclaimed this to Dionysius, he was put to the test. Dionysius allowed Damocles to sleep in a bed made of gold, the only catch was the sword hanging over the bed, suspended by a single thread of horse hair. Damocles spent what can only be imagined was a sleepless night terrified that the thread holding the sword would give way and end his luxurious night permanently.
Damocles realized that his envy and desire came at a price. Constant fear for one’s safety is no way to live. Damocles left the court and returned to a humble life in the country.
So what is the moral of this classic tale? I like to think that living in a state of anxiety only leads to unhappiness. Instead of choosing a life of adventure and risk or one of boredom, the best choice is to find a balance between the two. Uncertainty about our future prevents us from fully experiencing the present. If you feel yourself slipping into boredom, look for something new and stimulating. When looking around for that opportunity, remember it’s best to avoid opportunities you are not prepared for, opportunities that present what for you would amount to undo risk. A conscious balance between risk and reward is the key to happiness.
Another way of looking at this is to listen closely to the lyrics in the song “More and More, Less and Less” by Delbert McClinton & Glen Clark.
If you have Spotify, give it a go: More and More, Less and Less
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