Quintus Curtius

A reader explains that he often struggles with confidence and self-esteem issues. We offer some suggestions and perspectives. The truth is that while no one has all the answers, some techniques have proven to be effective.

When we see a friend is hurting, is it better to try to console him, or to ignore his problem?

Is it better to be feared or loved? This famous question is more nuanced than people think, and was addressed specifically by Cicero in "On Duties" as well as by Machiavelli in his "Prince" and "Discourses." Yet there has been much oversimplification and misunderstanding on this subject. We also discuss whether Stoicism lends itself to passivity and fatalism.

A reader asks for some travel advice for a young guy in his 20s who has never done much traveling before. In an unrelated question, we discuss why it's not a good idea to look for sympathy from your woman when you're feeling down or depressed.

Out of some recent emails, I've extracted five lessons that are worth remembering.

The question here is: "How do I avoid burnout?" But--as is often the case--I sense a hidden question lurking below the surface here that deals with isolation and loneliness. We discuss some answers.

So-called "experts" and pundits will always try to pigeon-hole you. They will try to categorize you as they see fit, in order to make themselves feel good. If you are pursuing your passions or mission, you'll notice people trying to "put you in your place." Some alleged expert will likely try to cut you down. Don't listen to them, and don't be intimidated by their perceived air of authority. The man in the arena is the one who drives history. It is not the critic or the hater. Do what you need to do, and keep moving forward. We go into more detail in this podcast.

A recent article on NPR claims to be mystified by the exodus of men from the workforce. Men seem to be dropping out of society in record numbers. Does NPR correctly identify the reasons? Or is there a spiritual crisis in masculinity?

We deal with a few questions received from readers. 1. What are the differences between wisdom and intelligence? 2. Is the educational system becoming more commercialized? 3. Is modern education too commercial? 4. I left a bad employment situation and don't really know how to feel about it. What should I do?

A reader is annoyed that someone is trying to tell him how he should approach and think about his parental responsibilities. This person is appears to be crossing lines of decorum, but I suspect there is more to the story here.

We discuss a moral problem that arose in Japanese prison camps in the Second World War. We discuss how the same moral issue is relevant today, and what Cicero's response to it would have been. What duty is owed to our fellow man? When does the pursuit of self-interest go too far?

We often get the impression that the world is in chaos, and that the proverbial sky is falling down. Yet our perceptions are distorted by factors that we often fail to appreciate. We discuss some of them.

A reader has a high-powered job and functions well in it. But he's worried that he's too indecisive in his personal life. We suggest some things to consider.

When choosing or pursuing a career, should we base our decision on "idealism" or on "practicality"? What is the balance between doing what you love and what can earn you a living? And how do we find this balance? We explore some answers.

We address the following reader questions: 1. Are men becoming "infantilized" in today's society? 2. What is the difference between a "loser" and someone who is just going through a rough period? 3. Do women "dislike" male self-improvement?

"On Duties" deals with a very large number of topics. One of the most important unifying threads of the book is the idea of "greatness of soul." What is it? Why is it relevant? Note: The second passage I discuss is "On Duties" I.44 (I accidentally gave the incorrect citation number in the podcast).

Two questions are dealt with in this podcast. One reader has a question about procrastination. Another reader has an interpretation question about a passage from "On Duties."

A reader is concerned that he may be setting expectations and goals for himself that are not in accord with reality or practicality. He is wondering if he should make adjustments, but does't really know if he's just at a sticking point, or if he should change course altogether. I offer four suggestions for him to think about.

A 23-year-old reader in a European country is undecided what career path to take. He has narrowed down his choices training in art or training in law. But he's not sure which one is best for him. I offer my own thoughts, and then some thoughts gleaned from my translation of Cicero's "On Duties" (which is now available on Amazon.)

My new book, "On Duties," is the most explanatory, readable, and well-organized translation of Cicero's classic that is available in English, and perhaps in any language. I provide the three reasons why this is so. I also discuss the great theme running through the book: the idea of greatness of spirit. What is greatness of spirit, and why is it important?