I wrote recently in “Thoughts on Turning 49” about the Stoic principle of not having an opinion. As Jungian synchronicity would have it, I chanced upon a TikTok interview featuring Pete Holmes ranting about the navigation app Waze, and he mentioned what I later leaned was the Third Chinese Patriarch of Zen:
The Great Way* is not difficult for those who have no preferences.
Third Chinese Patriarch Of Zen
Here’s Marcus Aurelius on opinions:
“It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul; for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgements.”
Professional explainer of all things Stoicism, Ryan Holiday, expounds further:
The point is: One of the most powerful things we can do in life is to limit the amount of opinions we have. To say: “I don’t have an opinion on that.” (Even if deep down we do!) To focus on the things in front of us that matter, or more importantly, that are in our control. There is plenty there for us. Plenty to keep us busy, and not miserable.
The Curse of Having an Opinion About Everything
Our culture places great value on deciveness and action, hot takes and big opinions. But maybe we’re betraying a healthier version of our potential in so doing. Ride the wave.