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Guard what is yours

Career Success Confidence Building Emotional Intelligence Growth Mindset Health & Wellness Productivity Relationships Time Management

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Ἴδια φύλαττε

Be mindful and protect your personal interests with self-confidence and self-awareness, maintaining your health without selfishness.

We should pay attention to and protect our own interests, ensuring our personal well-being and growth. The importance of self-confidence, self-awareness and safeguarding our personal interests, is emphasized. This does not imply selfishness, but rather the recognition of the value of being healthy, happy and balanced, in order to be able to provide helpt to other people, when needed. This approach encourages self-esteem and self-respect, providing us with a solid foundation to support both ourselves and those around us, in a more effective way.

The Philosopher

Chilon

Greek Philosopher

(600-520 B.C.)

Chilon, the son of Damagetos, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity, was born in Sparta, in 600 BC and served as Ephor in 556 BC (during the 56th Olympiad). His governance was marked by success and left a significant imprint on the history of the Spartan regime, enhancing the institution of the Ephors and reducing royal power, in favour of popular sovereignty.

Philosophy and Laconism

Known for his brevity, Chilon represented Laconism, the art of concise and substantive expression. His wisdom, moral integrity and insight, made him an admired figure for subsequent philosophers and later generations.

Teachings and Maxims

For Chilon, the most challenging things for a person were keeping secrets, temperance and enduring injustice. His maxims, such as “Nothing in excess,” “Know thyself,” and “Surety brings ruin,” reflect his deep understanding of human weaknesses and the need for self-awareness and moderation.

Significantly, when asked what is most difficult for a person, he replied: “To keep secrets, to properly dispose of one’s anger and to endure being wronged”… the most difficult for a person is to keep secrets, control their nerves and suffer injustice.

Legacy and Memory

Chilon’s death in Pisa, Sicily, was marked by a fortunate death, occurring as his son returned victorious from the Olympic Games. Sparta honored his memory with a statue and an epigram praising his wisdom and his contributions to the warlike city. Chilon’s sayings at Delphi reflect his enduring influence on the ancient Greek world and the history of philosophy.

Further Material

How To Energetically Protect Yourself

This brief summarizes Clara Wisner’s guidance on protecting your energy and handling difficult people and situations. Wisner, a Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner and Self-Love Guide, discusses the importance of being conscious of one’s energy and intuitive powers. She argues against the need for protection from others’ energies, instead advocating for radical responsibility and an empowering mindset.
https://insighttimer.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-energy/
(By following the provided link, you will be redirected to a third-party website to access the relevant content)

How to protect your energy no matter where you are

The text emphasizes the importance of self-care and protecting one’s energy to maintain mental health and well-being. It highlights that 95% of workers in 2021 felt pressured to overwork, leading to high rates of burnout and toxic work culture. The text advises setting boundaries and avoiding overextending oneself to prevent burnout and anxiety. Key strategies include understanding personal energy drains, taking downtime, limiting distractions, and controlling one’s schedule.
https://www.betterup.com/blog/protect-your-energy
(By following the provided link, you will be redirected to a third-party website to access the relevant content)

Serving Others’ Interests While Neglecting Your Own

The text discusses the negative consequences of habitually agreeing to tasks you don’t want to do, leading to stress and neglect of personal priorities. It emphasizes that positive change requires effort and resilience. Strategies to resist undue persuasion include advanced planning and confidently deciding when to say no. The text suggests practical approaches for refusing requests, like considering the costs and benefits, using clear communication, and stopping conversations that are unproductive. It concludes that the freedom to say no is essential for making meaningful, contented choices and prioritizing worthwhile engagements.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-and-sensibility/201109/serving-others-interests-while-neglecting-your-own
(By following the provided link, you will be redirected to a third-party website to access the relevant content)

The Unselfish Art of Prioritizing Yourself

The article discusses the importance of self-compassion and the risks associated with neglecting oneself. It highlights the need to prioritize oneself without feeling guilty.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/201708/the-unselfish-art-prioritizing-yourself
(By following the provided link, you will be redirected to a third-party website to access the relevant content)

You must protect your own interests

The text emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal initiative in achieving significant goals and handling important tasks. It cautions against the common but unrealistic expectation that others will handle difficult situations or bring good things into our lives. The author argues that relying on others for important matters is not only impractical but can lead to disappointment and frustration.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-must-protect-your-own-interests-jorge-rodrigues-simao/
(By following the provided link, you will be redirected to a third-party website to access the relevant content)

Frequently Asked Questions

Delphic Maxims and the Ancient sages

What are the Delphic Maxims?

These are succinct phrases, just a few words, aimed at guiding individuals in their daily lives, you can learn more here.

Who are the Seven Ancient Sages?

The seven ancient sages were: Thales of Miletus, Pittacus of Mytilene, Bias of Priene, Solon of Athens, Cleobulus of Rhodes, Periander of Corinth, and Chilon of Sparta. More details can be found here.

Are the Delphic Maxims part of a religion?

The Delphic Maxims are a spiritual creation of the seven ancient sages, given as a precious legacy to the Oracle of Delphi. Traditionally, these maxims were directly given by Apollo (Greek ancient God) to the Oracle of Delphi.

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Basic info

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What is the mission of Delphic Maxims?

Our goal is to present the Delphic Maxims as an empowering guide for personal progress and development, through our website and app, you can learn more here.

What are the Three Foremost Maxims?

These are the three most important Delphic Maxims, that were located on a column in the pronaos, in order to be visible of every visitor, at once! You can learn more here.

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Which is the importance of donations and volunteering?

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I have a question that wasn’t answered above. How can I contact someone?

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Further Material

How are articles linked to the Delphic Maxims?

Articles are chosen based on their relevance to the respective Delphic Maxim, not necessarily referring directly to them, demonstrating the timelessness and cultural depth of the Maxims.

I have a question that wasn’t answered above. How can I contact someone?

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Blog

Who writes the articles on our blog?

Articles on the Delphic Maxims blog are written by team members and volunteers, you can also contribute by clicking here.

What topics do our blog articles cover?

The theme of the articles is related to a Delphic Maxim or its interpretation, including any issues or events that lead to self-improvement, creativity, and inspiration for the audience, providing answers and positive reflections on personal development.

I have a question that wasn’t answered above. How can I contact someone?

You can reach us through our contact form or send an email to: info@delphicmaxims.org.