We describe the size and qualities of a human being’s capacity as a ‘bowl.’ People often say that luck or opportunity that exceeds the size of one’s bowl is rather harmful. That’s why people advise you to either seize the luck and opportunity that fit your bowl or make your bowl bigger. So, how do you determine the size of the bowl? Congenital conditions may also influence it, but acquired experiences and self-reflection are factors that shape the size of the bowl. Since I can’t force myself to create luck and opportunity, all I can do is develop my judgment and have the courage to accept or reject. The key to judgment is to avoid underestimating or overestimating yourself. Ultimately, it is most important to understand your own identity properly to make a true bowl. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Paradoxically, one of the reasons for Rome’s demise was that it kept winning wars. Victories expanded the empire’s territory, and the risks increased proportionally. Men, primarily middle-class men, volunteered as soldiers; the larger the territory, the longer the wars lasted, and the longer it took for them to return home. The women who remained at home were forced to borrow labor and became indebted to the nobility. Eventually, the women were sold into slavery, and by the time the men returned, their families had disintegrated. People don’t betray because they’re evil, but because it increases their risk. If the territory you’re in grows, you might reconsider your loyalties to the organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”