The ancients believed that the person who could achieve a quietude within his consciousness was best equipped to resist any and all incidents and accidents that might enter his life. They believed that the reason that most people have not been able to reach a sufficient level of awareness is due to neglect.

Neglect can come as a result of ignorance, indifference or a lack of will power. One story that has come down through time regarding Plato is that he had received a piece of land to establish his academy that was a swamp and very unhealthy. He had only been at the property a short time when he became sick with a fever and his disciples were afraid that he must leave the land and find a better area for the academy.

When we look at some of the ancient disciplines practiced thousands of years ago we must realize some basic differences between schools of learning then and now.

Many of the ancient philosophical schools looked upon knowledge as a way of life. One of the more profound ancient schools was the Pythagorean School at Crotona. Individuals were instructed and conditioned on how to ‘live well.’ In our modern schools the emphasis on education deals with learning facts, figures, ideas and concepts, but there is not sufficient time spent on how to ‘live well.’

The ancient Greeks had a statement, “The gods on high Olympus laughed.” Humor has been underrated in today’s society because some people are quick to point out that the seriousness in virtually every phase of our existence leaves no time for humor.

The attitude of the classical Greeks was that if God did not have a sense of humor the Creator would never have fashioned man. Although known for their philosophical viewpoints, many of the ancient philosophers had great wit and humor.

One early writer, Diogenes Laertius (3rd Century CE), included in his writings some of the humorous anecdotes of the ancient philosophers. Another good source for anecdotes of some of the ancient philosophers can be found in Thomas Stanley’s work, ‘The History of Philosophy.’