One of the things I love to do during my free time is listening to motivational speakers and great orators on the internet. Today I am watching one of my favorite local orators; P.L.O. Lumumba. A few of the things that he is talking about really captivate me. He is giving a well-choreographed description of Greece 300 years before the birth of Christ. In those years Greece was known for so many things; its warriors, its gods, its philosophers and so on, but, my attention is drawn to its philosophers.
There were many philosophers in the land such that Apollo was in a dilemma trying to determine who among them was wisest. Apollo sends out one of his oracles to determine who the wisest man in the land of Greece was.
The oracle went around asking each philosopher the same question “what do you know?” many answered this question according to their own wisdom and understanding, but, when the oracle gets to Socrates and asks him “what do you know?” Socrates answered, “The only thing that I know is that I know nothing.” These words really surprised the oracle, and on this ground, the oracle reports to Apollo that the wisest man in the land of Greece was Socrates. It is humility that had set him apart from the rest.
It is in admitting our shortcomings that we discover our greatest potentials. It is not weakness to see the best in other people. It is not a sign of timidity to remain silent until you are sure that your words will demonstrate your maturity. Be economical with your words but more generous with your intellect. As someone once said, a great man is known by the way he treats the ‘small men.’ Let them find out that you are great when you are gone.
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