“Zeno always said that nothing was more unbecoming than putting on airs, especially with the young.”
DIOGENES LAERTIUS, LIVES OF THE EMINENT PHILOSOPHERS, 7.1.22
The guidance from today’s entry of The Daily Stoic is simple: don’t get haughty. Don’t start strutting around, because nobody likes to see that.
Arrogance begets disdain. People will look down on you if you act brash and overconfident — and what’s more, they’ll look forward to any opportunity to cut you down to size.
Don’t give folks a reason to look for a way to knock you down a few pegs. As the author says, “overconfidence is a great weakness”. So don’t fall into that trap, and don’t give others a reason to cheer for your demise. Stay down to Earth.
