Life is a battle of wits,...., (or so they say)

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
I suppose it is an obvious truth that life is a battle of wits, and of course there is the old joke or saying, quote:

"Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed."

However, if that were all there is to life then there are all kinds of repercussions to consider, (where does "love" fit in, and/or accepting people as they are and making the most of whatever positive characteristics they might have?).

Is there a point in trying to be an "honest and decent person" if life is a battle of wits, and cynically you are more likely to win or get the better of them by deceiving the other person?

I remember a very wonderful friend of mine who is sadly no longer with us, who used to occasionally make discordant comments like "You've mistaken me for someone who gives a damn", but in my view that was not how she felt about life really.

Then I read in some newspapers the views of those engaged in what most of us would regard as immoral or hedonistic lifestyles, and if you're like me you'd never wish to think of your child being influenced by such behaviour, and thinking it a good idea.

Still if "life's a battle of wits" then taking from it whatever you wish, whenever you wish is okay isn't it?
 

Personally I don’t see the phrase, “Life is a battle of wits” as necessarily being negative. I see it as using and attempting to use sharpness of mind and strategic planning, but not in a way that engages in unhealthy competition or unnecessary conflict with others. A battle of wits in getting past most of life’s challenges, if not all. Even to some degree, a battle of wits between people to get the most out of both, for a common goal? The right dose of measured competition and intellectual challenge can lead to better outcomes or improvements.


I see things like, “…cynically you are more likely to win or get the better of them by deceiving the other person?” as something very different. You can get "the better of" people without trying to deceive. Getting the better of then by trying to bring them along with you might be better. Although that in itself has challenges. Maybe it’s possible to get the better on someone where in the end both are winners?
 
You've reminded me of this, quote:
"..., for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism."

Full text, quote:
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
 

grahamg said:
You've reminded me of this, quote:
"..., for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism."

Full text, quote:
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
Click to expand...
"Desiderata"! One of my favorites! I have in illustrated book form.
 
grahamg said:
You've reminded me of this, quote:
"..., for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism."

Full text, quote:
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."
Click to expand...

I might have to copy paste and save this. :)

From my original post in this thread; my first paragraph. There would be difficulties in not working this way. I work in an environment where if someone deviates from this they would start to stand out for the wrong reasons. I and my team have many responsibilities, and it seems that no day is the same. Some things involve long planning. Other things are dealt with as things are happening and changing. In those circumstances it’s not a place for egos.

Things might have to be dealt with quickly and effectively, including anticipating what the next change point may be, in part through experience knowledge and investigation in real time. I and my team might find ourselves dealing with many different people from different departments at different levels, at pretty much the same time. When things are moving fast there is no room for egos, one-upmanship or anything similar. It gets in the way of getting the job done as effectively as possible. Competition, conflict, battle of wits becomes a distraction to the common goal.

I find others from other department’s volunteer help and support without me asking. Talk to people properly, get to know them, treat them with respect, and I can then get a lot out of them. Anything else, in my working environment, isn’t an option.
 
Life is a battle with tolerance, I think! How many times do we struggle to keep our tempers under control when confronted with the behaviour of other people?
 
CarolfromTX said:
Battle of wits? Yes, but also pure, dumb luck, perseverance, aptitude, friendship, teamwork, and so many other things.
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There is certainly something very cold imagining human relationships in terms of who might be getting the better of the other, (a friend of mine whose late husband was a bank manager said that was what he did in his job!).
 
Lavinia said:
Life is a battle with tolerance, I think! How many times do we struggle to keep our tempers under control when confronted with the behaviour of other people?
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If you love someone I guess you tolerate things you might not in others, or even ignore them altogether, (blind to whatever fault it might be).
 
Lavinia said:
Life is a battle with tolerance, I think! How many times do we struggle to keep our tempers under control when confronted with the behaviour of other people?
Click to expand...
Another thought occurred to me after my first response and it is some folks with "quick tempers" can do very well in life, and deserve to do well, if not least because they dont choose to hide their feelings, (maybe its often healthier for them to do so). :)
 
grahamg said:
Another thought occurred to me after my first response and it is some folks with "quick tempers" can do very well in life, and deserve to do well, if not least because they dont choose to hide their feelings, (maybe its often healthier for them to do so). :)
Click to expand...
They do say that bottling things up is bad for you, and suppressed anger can manifest itself in physical problems.
 
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