10 Powerful—and Ancient—Quotes to Inspire and Help You Grow!

The idea behind this article is that the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers are the forefathers of coaching. They sought answers to key questions like: What does it mean to lead a good/happy/fulfilling life?

So, what can we learn from the Ancient Greeks and Romans?

Quite a lot as it turns out. It always surprises me how much wisdom there was a couple of millennia ago (that’s 200o years!) that we still don’t seem to have absorbed as a human species.

So, below I’m sharing 10 inspirational and thought-provoking quotes for you to ponder.

Sadly these quotes are all by men. I did briefly get distracted when I couldn’t find good quotes from women during this time, and grabbed a book called, “Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice” (written by a man—thank-you Jack Holland). In it he writes about powerful women in Greece and Rome (and much more).

Needless to say it didn’t end well—for the women, or me. No quotes, and an hour later! Still, it’s a fascinating book. If you ever wondered how far back #metoo goes, you can get your own copy of this book on Amazon, Abe Books (or preferably, order from your local bookstore).

Here are your 10 Inspiring Quotes from the Ancients:

Which quotes most speak to you?

1. “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” Plutarch
2. “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” Socrates
3. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Aristotle
4. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Seneca
5. “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” Plutarch
6. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” Epicurus
7. “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles
8. “Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become.” Heraclitus
9. “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” Epictetus
10. “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Aristotle

And if you’d like to go deeper, here are 3 next steps:

As you know, one of the core principles of Fierce Kindness is creating a deep connection with yourself. So:

1. Consider which quote:
   • Most UNSETTLES you &
   • Most RESONATES with you?
2. Write out these 2 quotes in your journal and ponder these questions over a quiet cup of tea or coffee:
   • WHY do you think you were drawn to them?
   • WHAT do you think the quote is trying to say to YOU specifically?
   • What are some IDEAS you’ve been having, of changes you could make in your life – however small?
3. Finally, to go even deeper, put your 2 chosen quotes somewhere you’ll see them often. And then over the next month, make an effort to notice the quotes – and each time you do, ask:
   • What is this quote teaching me today/now?

Love Emma-Louise x

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