Leading Wisely

12Conclusion

Am I a man of great wisdom? Hardly! Even when a simple person brings me a question, my mind goes utterly blank. I just thrash it out until I've exhausted every possibility.

—Confucius

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.

—Marcus Aurelius

Letting go

When Alexander the Great appeared before the Greek leaders in Corinth, they greeted him warmly and paid him lavish compliments – all of them, but one, a philosopher called Diogenes. He had views not unlike those of the Buddha. According to him, possessions and all the things we think we need only serve to distract us. They get in the way of life's enjoyment. By sticking to his extremely simple lifestyle, Diogenes was criticizing the social values and institutions of what he saw as a corrupt, confused society. To provide a living example of his principles, he had given away everything he owned. He turned poverty into a virtue. He begged for a living. He would spend his time almost naked, living on the market square and sleeping in a large ceramic barrel.

Very curious to meet this strange fellow, Alexander went out to call on him. Dressed in his shining armor, the plume on his helmet waving in the wind, he walked up to the barrel and said to Diogenes: ‘Is there any favor I can do for you. Let me know your wish and I shall grant it.’

Diogenes, who had until then been comfortably warming himself in the sun, replied: ‘Indeed, Sire, I do have a wish.’

‘Well, what is it?’ Alexander ...