Schopenhauer: Self-Sufficiency is the Key to Happiness | Counsels & Maxims 9

[@IrethAmandil]

It's so validating to hear a man of the 18th century put into words thoughts and feelings that I've had for most of my sentient life, and to have found his own way to cope with it which is where I have been struggling. It's difficult to try so hard to be a part of society and constantly shown how little I actually fit into it. Thank you for reading this out in such a clear manner, well-paced, and providing your own comments to the passages. People like you spreading such nuggets of wisdom for free is why I still love humanity sometimes.

[@happyuk06]

Just as I do not become frustrated with children, because they are children. They are silly. They do not even understand half of the simple words they use, yet they clearly understand the hierarchy of age. Now imagine your existence if everyone around you, even supposedly intelligent people at a university, behaved like children. And even worse, they lacked self-awareness. Every time you point out error in thought or action, subtly or overtly, you in all probability receive resentment, derisive humour, or a fluoride stare. You quickly learn to just shut up and let the adult children do their thing. This is daily life. I can exchange pleasantries and perform basic social interactions just fine. I cannot have a serious conversation about anything at all. I am not autistic, or any other imaginary category of mental illness I I was simply cursed with a brain which functions at a higher level than nearly all of my peers.

[@avx4281]

I second you.

[@incedofortis]

Hey, nice to find people with similar mindset,, I find that what shopenhower wrote is exactly as I feel, I love solitude and fight always to have

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

Reads better than Emerson's Self-Reliance. Very fine. Thank you for introducing this work to me.

[@SteveBoobJobs]

Blaise Pascal said, All of man's problems stem from not being able to sit in a room alone for a long time.

[@Frederer59]

I turned 65 just the other day. Generally, I live in a state of peace from a life of slow individuation. It astounds me the way the Algorithm doesn't only provide more obvious related material, but sometimes offers up something that's disturbingly perfect. It's not always like a storeshelf of similar birthday cards, but it's sometimes eerily like an oracle. The danger, of course, is that there are very grubby hands tweaking the knobs. God help us. Thank you for this. ❤🇨🇦

[@matrixInvader]

I've preferred isolation for most of my life, and I've always thought of it as a sort of "re-claiming" of my experience solely for my own, almost like a kid who's been forced to share his toys with other kids finally getting the chance to enjoy them all to himself again

[@joe.h-7322]

like cleansing oneself of social contagion

[@JimSchmidt-h7i]

Trauma forced me into isolation as a kid. It also kept me from enjoying myself as myself. I am 51 years old now. Finally I am working daily to build a homestead on my own. I am actually enjoying the time alone Now.

[@trpdelhi]

I have been addicted to this channel now (for a month). You are the professor we all deserve, sir. Please DO NOT STOP!

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Very kind of you to say, thanks. There is more coming, I promise.

[@SinethembaDlamini-i4f]

I concur!! You are exceptional dr!!

[@multiplescrotums774]

I'm with you this guy is great!

[@trpdelhi]

It is criminal to not be paying you for your service, sir. I am 32 years old, working as a professional jazz musician here in New Delhi, India. Have been applying these principles in my field as well, and it’s been a tremendous boost in general on all fronts.

[@blondequijote]

That's very kind of you to say about what we deserve. Good Wizard (G-d for short) believes in all of us and the Bill of Rights, but the magical new religion doesn't focus on what humanity does or doesn't deserve.

[@JY601]

I’m at work and this is definitely getting me thru this mind numbing modern form of slavery

[@jacobjorgenson9285]

You’ve chosen your lot, can you chose another ?

[@nikko.lottsahcocc6917]

Well you have the responsibility to rally your fellow slaves together and fight to free yourselves from the chains of bondage, no more slavin’ for massa, United you stand to overpower the evil devilish masters and assume all of their wealth and live happily ever afterwards a wealthy man in utopian bliss! 🌈🧡🥳😇☮️ 💰💰💰💰💰

[@lyndarobertson6118]

When I finally found and devoured the Works of Schopenhauer I knew I had found The Voice to my thoughts and feelings. Some see him as nothing but pessimistic and misanthropic, and indeed he was , but everything he says is truth that one can only know and understand and appreciate at a later time in life after having experienced society and humanity. The truth is most of the stoic philosophers were extremely pessimistic about mankind and with good reason. Imagine a man like Schopenhauer living in a time such as this though I am sure that in his day it was equally bad maybe Just in different ways.

[@tear728]

They at least knew what men and women were back then 😂

[@DZ-rf9fh]

Yes and, Pessimist or realist? Since what Stoics point out is true. To the positive freedom is priceless. Yogananda also says the same, you only grow when you evolve through self introspection and exploration.

[@cmdr.sypher1820]

This was great thank you. The fact it received 4.6K views in 10 months and the stupidest of things get a million overnight says it all. If you ever wonder why you are alone watching lectures just watch what's trending on KZbin....

[@theplanetruth]

I am listening to this on a road trip August 26, 2024. Hear hear!!

[@jnwilliams1986]

The fact that this video has only 1.3k likes confirms that all of its content is true and sublime.

[@rangecow]

You could make a great living just reading philosophy and adding your asides like this for the people.

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@selfconsciousnothing9697]

Nah. when he discovers the philosophy of antinatalism, he will quit.

[@mjudithg.sv.1747]

finally a channel worth listening to. Thank you!! Today's students are encouraged to seek money and a "career" but not human knowledge... which is so precious for building our character.

[@julianterris]

Thank you for sharing this, Sir. I have never regretted a moment alone, the drink I did not take, nor the promise I did not make. Schopenhauer ("Arty" to his mates) the crusty oyster, with the pearls of great price -what a treasure the old basket is. Thank you for shining a light on his timeless wisedom. Self sufficiency is the prerequisite for happiness, yet noone is an island. I love the Ernest Hemmingway quote: (I'll have to paraphrase) "If you are any damn good at all, you know that everything is your fault" and this gem "The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too." #IllBeBack

[@michalvento]

Humbly.....Schopenhauer, is yet another Soul on The Road. We are all somewhere along that Road also. It is without scorn that we should notice as to where we all are on it, but with kindness and encouragement. What purpose is there once you find The Way ?......but the Bliss of going back out of one's Solitude.....into the masses of fellow travellers on this infinite Journey......to share.....in The Oneness....among the crowds. It is so easy to be at One in the bliss of your solitude. .....but how will you know as to how Real your connection is, until you are tested, rubbing shoulders among those who are not yet awake ?

[@celerywhelan2988]

I concur, wholeheartedly and soul-hardily. Pessimism about humanity is not only harmful to one’s self but also to humanity and the world. Yes, indeed, it is easy(ier) to Be alone, but to Be among the throngs… is of paramount importance in order to spread the energy, or whatever you want to call it, so show the way by Being in the world.

[@Together336]

Keep walking don’t tell me where I should walk bitch

[@zachvanslyke4341]

I totally agree. The ultimate freedom is to be free anywhere, both alone and with others. Nothing wrong at all with having a few select friends here and there, and having fun in a crowd once in a while. To hold disdain for other humans as a blanket approach feels a little negative and toxic to me. Take care 🙏

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

Absolute genius. I'm generally a positive person, but Schopenhauer speaks to me. Schopenhauer is my new Bible, it's as if he tailored a manual of life for me.

[@elaineroddy9958]

Thank you so much. So nice to see a human reading a book and not listening to an artificial voice. I was only familiar with Schopenhauer by name and very general ideas. This has been very helpful in being more comfortable with my chosen solitude; which l enjoy. Society, psychiatry seems to interpret solitude with lack of mental health

[@yazanasad7811]

Happiness is difficult to find in oneself but impossible to find outside Intelligence has to hide itself in good society while folly is allowed You can see the evils of loneliness and solitude and prepare for it whereas society is insidious, and tricks people Most people have one note, thats why they get bored, no wonder society needs to come together and be sociable Intelligence and reflection allows for solitude. Kids cry when alone. Intelligence increases with age and companionship likely declines Garden - safety in solitude Solitude as the lesser of two evils Nothing is happy on every side. When alone, you will become sensitive to atmospheric changes - too much solitude means you will be extra sensitive to externals like changes in people's expressions Dont take what you say in public too seriously and dont take wjat others say too seriously either

[@SethEvans-r2j]

Squire.

[@naturelover1284]

I feel very odd for living alone or being alone when I'm nice to myself and I'm not negative it's nice to have peace and I think perhaps they're the type that always have to narrate boss around and interrupt things

[@desfrancis2543]

Having had a change of circumstances a few years ago and returned to a situation I inhabited as a young person, ie not fitting in and being misunderstood, I have for some time now tried (almist desperately) to find some group of people i could relate to and feel comfortable with, but to no avail, I always leave disappointed and dejected. Hearing your eloquent elucidation of these profound sentiments have encouraged me to stop trying to chace a rainbow and be still to enjoy/appreciate the moment. Thank you very much, you've gained a convert

[@JohnBurman-l2l]

George Carlin was a great thinker in clown clothes. He said something like, as soon as we become 'couples' we surrender our individual 'cosmic minds' to a small mutual agreement.

[@zachpackard]

Randomly landed on a gem of a channel here

[@Pumpychan]

Thank you for keeping Schopenhauer’s thought alive… he is favorite philosopher and it would be so wonderful if WWR were required reading in, say, junior high school…OK, high school. But on this very compelling topic: the virtues of solitude as a function of self sufficient intellect vs sociability being a “carbohydrate” … we mustn’t disregard a few contextual issues. The first of these being the times in which A.S. lived. Can you imagine being an intellectual giant amidst the insufferable stupidity of people in the late 18th through mid-19th centuries. (slavery and torture were “OK”) Science itself was barely known functioning (no anesthesia nor germ theory of disease) religious dogma dominated , superstition, vicious cruelty, glorification of constant violence, rampant illiteracy, horrible hygiene, utter and complete medical quackery, and probably few healthy pursuits (I don’t think there were many CrossFit gyms open during his day)… point being that in his historical period it must have been very hard to find productive and fulfilling relationships. And so he does, IMO, reflect something of a personal futility rather than a metaphysical truth about the company of others. (Sarte is a different conversation for a different day.) I am in my own estimation something of a lonely junior-class intellectual. I’ve not had one friend in my adult life that bothered to read one philosophy book through, least of all Schopenhauer. What you’ll get these days is maybe some superficial stoicism and mountains of reinterpreted eastern/buddhist/hindu spirituality, but as A.S says in his wonderfully poignant way, there is a single tone that generally rings out per person, and it can leave one feeling hopeless of finding happiness through others. OTOH, there are things now available to us that poor Arthur did not have. Let’s start with sport, which of all topics he seems the least interested in. In sport, or at the gym, one’s joy is in the very suppression of intellect in return for the primal joy of experiencing one’s physical expressions, and all the better with others of the same goal. There is, gloriously, not much intellect (though requirement of physical INTELLIGENCE is actually high) when you deadlift or squat with 2 or 3 other guys. It’s just a great way to spend an afternoon and if I were I Schopenhauer’s therapist this is exactly what I would have advised him to do. But also I don’t think he had many outlets for this. Can you imagine him jogging down the strasse in bright orange Nike’s and his iPhone strapped to his arm!) Maybe he’d have found something inherently rewarding in that (if there even were streets to run on without manure piles everywhere ??) Aside from sport, we have now virtual access to 100’s of genuinely fascinating people. To arbitrarily select one, well you can’t exactly have Sam Harris over for the afternoon, but you can tap into his media and be in his mental company. You can insert any other name here of your liking. None of this was available to A.S. in those days. So in summary, there are ways of connecting with incredibly fascinating people and doing absolutely beneficial things now with other people that were not conceivable in the mentally impoverished days he lived. I’m not sure then if solitude is a metaphysical virtue regardless of circumstances or rather just the most rational course for highly attuned thinkers who could not bear the asinine and vulgar world around them.

[@KingkoopaShan]

Hey Chris, first time finding your stuff but loved hearing you read buddy keep up the good you’re doing

[@AbsolutelyNOW]

Incredible video, Loved it and can resonate 100% as I been a solitude loving person all my life.And yes rascals are always socibale, as they cant face themselves so they go vulgar being loud and gossipping.Subscribed, your channel.Genius work!!!!! I love schopenhauer

[@famousutopias]

“If I wanted the work of an idiot I would have done it myself.” - one of the Parker &Hart cartoons I read as a kid in the 1970s. The endeavor, in such solitude, toward self constructive criticism is quite a gift as well.

[@rindenauge3426]

Society would call me a loser, but Schopi makes me feel like a genius neet.

[@izdotcarter]

Oh?

[@HerrEngelsman]

What you going to do if SHTF and they stop benefits, or decide to conscript the neets, something drastic like that?

[@william6223]

​@@HerrEngelsman You are no5 asking me, But I will answer for me: Go to work, Repair my tools, Garden, Harvest, Fish, Aid the ecosystem I live within, Protect myself, Avoid most People, Pray to God, Seek harmony and peace, Train, Cl3an, St7etch, Write poetry, Carve wood, Filter water, Read, Sleep with my arms...

[@william6223]

Society kicked me out in 2014.

[@rindenauge3426]

@@HerrEngelsman The world is F*cked beyond repair. My country is just a neutered vassal state of the allmighty USA anyway (Germany). Nothing's gonna happen. We already had our fun 80 years ago.

[@lilitdesign]

Thank you so much for this wonderful channel and for making this grandiose philosophers so accessible

[@IDrone-zk2lt]

I agree with Mr. Schopenhauer. But it takes many years to come to thank revelation.

[@avx4281]

Thank u. Very useful. Now i can live in solitude guilt free.

[@zaazletsgo1944]

Absolutely awesome. 🎉 Reminded me of my innate root and foundation and the wisdom in working towards reinstating it.

[@davidmckayii752]

The carrying aloness into society with you, is the best.

[@georgenelson8917]

This is one of the best of his writings

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Agreed.

[@SinethembaDlamini-i4f]

This, live in the present, friendship and animosity. The old man was on 🔥 🔥

[@RahkmanX]

This is just what I've been looking for. Now I understand better why I love solitude and can't stand being around groups of people for too long 😅. Thanks for sharing this gem!! 👌❤

[@DZ-rf9fh]

Only children learn how to be alone. Thank you for putting this out into the world.

[@lisasmith1850]

Thank you it's refreshing to hear this man's perspective. Some of the nicest, most level headed people I've known treated solitude like a choice luxury.

[@celestialteapot309]

So speaks a man completely reliant on others through his fathers income.

[@ecelsozanato5603]

If you don’t suffer and are functional, you have no mental health issues

[@ecelsozanato5603]

Thank you very much! 🙏

[@karenp5374]

Every minute of this is provocative. Thank you sir!

[@Lyletrent]

Thought provoking. Never would have found something like this. Great reading, thank you.

[@biotravis]

Introvert Manifesto

[@theshadow8900]

This so much resonate with me. This is such a piece of mind to me. While watching this I as well as took notes. Thank you so much.

[@scowlsmcjowls2626]

"Looks like we got ourselves a reader!!!"

[@Pazaluz]

"What you reading for?"

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

Thank you for this great video. The creators of KZbin algorithms which brought me here. May these unknown individuals be rewarded much by life.

[@alexgrimsson6143]

SCHOPENHAUER had wisdom of higher emotional mind even when he was still a young person.......

[@enlighten92]

Liked this recommended video. Subbed. Looking forward to seeing more

[@awomanwithaplan]

Thank you for taking the time to read to us, and to offer your perspectives and those of others. Really nicely done! Perhaps the idea of teaching one's children while they're young, to "be left alone," is not so much about directing them to choose being left alone, but more about the child who finds himself left alone by his peers, and to prepare That child for the ways of having a good quality of life mostly on his own, and to embrace it if that is how he's been made. Hopefully Schopenhauer wouldn't recommend depriving a naturally gregarious child who's "hail and hearty, and met by all," of society, anymore than he would counsel his readers to force themselves to go out and get social!

[@MasonBiamonte]

Thank you so much for this. For what I'm going through now, this is better than therapy. Struggling with isolation as I live through my 30s. I have some intellectual projects that will benefit from this perspective.

[@thedoghouse8900]

Nothing short of brilliant

[@ryan6600]

Just subscribed. Great work my brother!

[@SherryWatson-v4x]

Thank you.

[@Hiprich]

First time coming across your channel. I am so pleased to have discovered you. Well done 👍🏿

[@EILEENMACLEODmacleodspotshots]

Oh so true , thank you for your introduction to this like soul's words and assurances . Needed to hear this .👌🏻👍🙏🙏

[@petergrahammer1493]

Thank you, its so much easyer to understand in English. Reading Schopenhauer in German( and understanding it)is a pain on the brain...🤓

[@Michaelmas68]

Schopenhauer is the great wise pessimist. Heed his words we live in pessimistic times🙏 thank for your time sir!

[@karenp5374]

I love this channel. Thank you.

[@johnzielinski9951]

Very compelling, thank you! Subscribed.

[@waykiwayki]

So good... From a man who has done controlled solitude in silence many times.

[@1bionic1]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@pinkpeonyy]

I love this thank you so much for sharing it. I didn’t ever hear about this man, but I have so much in common with the way he thinks about other people and solitude and I found this video really opportune time

[@jasonjon]

Incredible. Thank you

[@lreeher]

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. I am enjoying this reading and your comments in the solitude of my library in the solitude of my house. I have everything I need and little to gain from society. Your reading is a relish for my enjoyable solitude.

[@kennethart4529]

I watched this high as Fuchs , with that said! I was blown away like every 2 minutes 😂😂 this was. Some deep ass shit 😂😂 this was better then Deadpool 3 now I am going back to living my life completely different now😂😂

[@raspberryleaf3741]

Very interesting. Thank you. Couldn't have come at a better time could it. 😊

[@JS2k514]

Thanks for the content, professor.

[@naturelover1284]

I feel so understood

[@nadifouldi3131]

Excellent video.

[@BrandonStewartCS]

Wonderful exploration of Schopenhauer, thank you

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erickane7093]

Very enlightening

[@IDrone-zk2lt]

When Christopher said in 13:37 that "raising children alone cannot be imagined," in reality, homeschooling a child is a kind of learning in isolation, and my wife and I have raised a child largely in this manner-not entirely, but mostly apart from the chaos and misery of other children's struggles. The outcome was a highly intelligent child who went on to receive a merit scholarship and became an MD.

[@anafernandes225]

Schoppenhauer really resonates with me, even if he is not very nice to women in some of his reflections 🙋

[@33parentino]

I thoroughly enjoyed this 😊

[@paradox_1729]

Thank you. I think it is better for men to find an association of other like minded men to really continuously grow, instead of simply just building a castle it is better to build a network of castles. This is a harder path, and has to be started early in life and even with early start it is possible to have to start again in the middle of it.

[@antaresvasto7343]

This has been the one video that has finally helped me... I must become a soloist! Thank you for this!!

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Glad it helped you!

[@Daniela.Mccaffrey]

Learning very quickly ❣️👛

[@StephenVallely-b9i]

Excellent channel.

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Thanks very much!

[@amhudlow]

Just discovered your channel and enjoyed this immensely. Thank you.

[@ChristopherAnadale]

You're welcome. Glad to have you here.

[@charliesomoza5918]

Excellent! Thank you.Very much appreciated.

[@ChristopherAnadale]

You're welcome, glad you liked it.

[@madelinevicioso7980]

Great content ❤

[@prinsens3201]

Thank you for the video.

[@multiplescrotums774]

Great voice, your educated, no fat, just what I've been looking for. (Sub) Thank you!

[@normanbuitta2171]

Awsome... thank you for introducing me to the big Schop. I can totally relate and enjoy your presentation, although i dont share his cynicism. Solitude can be enjoyed as a grayscale.

[@luisd5098]

This is a banger!

[@darthstarone3532]

The sage of the age 👏🥲👏

[@Phil.Munda139]

Strange it is, most of us listening, are in solitude. In my quest to find where fear came from, I arrived at others as the causation. Thus, I am indifferent to them yet can get along n keep my poise n posture n live my own way. Peace n wholeness can only be found within in solitude. Solace then is unnecessary. Seek nothing outdide of yourself. Musashi.

[@freedomworks3976]

Fantastic ❤

[@spiritualidealism3508]

What a beautiful passage from Schopenhauer😢❤

[@SinethembaDlamini-i4f]

This is almost the best chapter!!!

[@SinethembaDlamini-i4f]

I concur!

[@NilanjanNeelSarkar]

Awesome 🙏

[@jnicemint]

That’s why ‘trading’ is the Godsend career of an introvert and recluse.

[@jackinthebox6143]

Schopenhauer is hilarious. I'm sure he's playing for laughs but in the end it's funny 'cause it's true.

[@eddiemafaralala2654]

Wow I really enjoyed this. Great insight. lol it’s crazy to think that if this was written today, no publisher would take it.

[@elsaaforges]

No, because we live brainwashed by modern psychology, which says that "the human brain is hardwired to form relationships" or that "humans are social creatures". Schopenhauer helps us to get rid of this BS.

[@josieferraris2553]

Being alone is good but I live alone all day everyday. Like monk in a cave for 25 years. Neighbors are indifference as is all people's when on the streets of London. Seeing family and their pretending I am a ghost. I walk on by my loneliness made worsted by indifference. Perhaps alone one hour a day but locked up into isolation for 70 years. And counting. ❤️

[@ingenuity296]

100% true. Hell is other people.

[@Caladcholg]

OK Mr. Sartre ;)

[@tio9896]

Easy cop out. Fix yourself brah.

[@Jan-f4k5h]

Brilliant work! You speaking German gives it such a cool vibe!

[@ChristopherAnadale]

Thanks! But it's just Greek in this video. I wasn't able to copy the letters on to the screen like I have before. Glad you like the vibe.

[@Jan-f4k5h]

at 39:32 this is German, isn't it?

[@ChristopherAnadale]

@@Jan-f4k5h You're absolutely right, I got mixed up which video you were commenting on. Sorry!

[@Jan-f4k5h]

@@ChristopherAnadale I thought so;)

[@lawrence9506]

Solitude and self sufficiency are happiness Schopenhauer got that right. It always puzzled me why David Hume was so sociable.

[@alexgrimsson6143]

Hume's private life had plenty of solitary walks in thelighlands, and the distinctly non-social side of his nature craved such peregrinations enough that he confided to Adam Smith [one of his few close friends] a gnawing worry over the possibility of going mad if ever deprived of the physical ability to clarify his mind via such excursions...... according to Smith's account.

[@garyhoddinott9076]

Listening to Schopenauer's work brought my thoughts to John Donne (circa 1600) of "No Man Is An Island" noteriety. Donne's "...any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind" stands in stark contrast to the rather bleak outlook on humanity presented here.

[@reijin999]

i'm not even 30 yet but i really feel the 60 year old life

[@pidgonbusdriver]

Thanks!

[@ChristopherAnadale]

You're welcome, and I'm very grateful!

[@erickane7093]

I love solitude, especially in nature, especially where I live, blood linage home. Even under United States illegal military occupation and Hawaiian apartheid. Home sweet home in the watershed forest. Totally off grid. No electricity, no plumbing. Fertile soil. Ocean just a number of miles away. Yes, there’s many years where our yearnings come and go. Shit happens. True peace. I can visit family and friends when I want. Living my green mile. God in as nature. Aloha ‘Āina. He Hawai’i Au.

[@darillus1]

Schopenhauer was so up himself