Quotes from the Stoics

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                                 Photo by İsa Ortaç


 "A Ship should not Ride on a Single Anchor, nor Life on a Single Hope."

Epictetus


Why Putting All Your Eggs in One Basket Is for making an Omelet, Not Life 


Ever walked past a shop that only sells one item? Like... only socks? I mean, not even socks, shoes, pants, etc. Just socks. “Sockerama.” Crazy idea, right? Now imagine if their only supplier runs out of inventory, or socks suddenly go out of style (like it’s 2025, anything is possible). That shop doesn't have a prayer to stay open long.


That’s what the above quote by Epictetus is all about. It’s a metaphor, but not a boring English-class one. It’s a smart and obvious reminder that **diversity is not just for corporate brochures — it’s for survival in this world.**


Let’s break it down


One Anchor? That’s How Ships Sink.


A ship riding on a single anchor is like a food truck that only sells hot soup... in a desert. It might do well during a freak sandstorm, but long-term? It’s doesn't stand much a chance. A single product, supplier, or customer puts you at the mercy of that one element of nature. Business 101: If one string in your puppet show breaks, you don’t want the whole marionette face-planting on stage.


Whether it’s a boutique, a blog like this one, or a burrito stand, steering the ship needs variety. Not chaos — just some SMART VARIETY. If you're selling candles, maybe add matches light the flames. If you're a tattoo artist, maybe offer aftercare balm cause it kind of hurts in the beginning.

Check out this week's Podcast 👇 



 Now for Life: Don’t Pin It All on One Dream


Let’s pivot to the second half of that quote: “Nor life on a single hope.” Oh boy. Raise your hand if you’ve ever said: *“Once I make a million dollars, I’ll be happy forever!”* Or, *“If I can just date that person, everything will be perfect!”* (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. Everyone has their quirks and are short of perfect.)


It would be like building a house out of a single brick to base your entire life's happiness on one hope. One sneeze or cough and you're living in rubble, even though it might stand in place. Dreams are wonderful because they inspire us. Action, adaptability, and contingency planning are the companions that hope requires.

Do you want to star on Hollywood? Fantastic! During the audition process, you might also learn how to edit videos, start writing comedies, or become the most amusing barista in the world. Life isn't a straight line. Your side gig can occasionally turn into your primary job. It's acceptable if your dream suddenly changes!


The Moral of the Quote


Don't rely on one item, whether you're managing a company or simply attempting to make sense of your incredibly strange life. Raise your sails. Make a variety of endeavors. Follow your aspirations, but don't forget to have snacks and a backup plan.

Because in the end, even if your anchor fails or your hope doesn’t pan out, you’ll still be floating — maybe even flying — because you planned for more than one tide.

Anyone have words of wisdom to share? Post it below in the comments as I would love to hear from you. If you love listening to podcasts then you can follow me by clicking here👉Wise Mindset Guy Podcast

 

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