The book sets forth ten principles for a rich, spiritual life, each based on the teaching of a Greek philosopher. It contrasts the ancient Greek wisdom, which derives spirituality from man's gift of rational thought, as a unifying force for mankind, from the spirituality of Judeo-Christian and other religious principles, which can be divisive.
For the most part, this little book was enjoyable & insightful. The principles are simply stated and easily understood. Each of the ten discussions begins with an illustrative anecdote. Although I enjoyed the book, I found some of the anecdotes to be troubling, a bit too pat and predictable and judgmental, with clear distinctions between good and bad, moral and immoral. In choosing anecdotes to illustrate the rules, the authors consistently imply that success, wealth and material possessions lead to unhappiness, while simplicity and poverty lead to happiness. There are no happy executives or grumpy secretaries in Ten Golden Rules world. Wealth and career success, in and of themselves, are not indicia of moral bankruptcy, though the stories in this book would certainly lead one to believe otherwise. And the authors communicate a clear disdain for therapy. Anyone who seeks therapy -- definitely a sign of a miserable life. For example . . .
Rule #1: Examine Life (Plato) -- but not through therapy. This principle compels us to participate in life fully, engage our minds rather than being a spectator, approach new adventures with a childlike wonder. The rule is illustrated by a nameless 103 year old man living in the mountains of Greece, who keeps his mind engaged and therefore, keeps his soul at peace. Other examples involve retirees who have found new paths in life. Despite the fact that an unexamined life is not worth living, it seems that the authors would certainly frown upon seeking the assistance of a therapist in that examination, as we see in . . .
Rule #2: Worry Only about the Things You Can Control. This principle compels us to stop worrying about things we don't control -- our children, our spouses, the stock market. (Oddly, "our legislators" is in the list of things we can control.) The example at the beginning of the discussion contrasts Pamela, who never worried about the things under her control, with Tiffany, focused exclusively on things she could control. Now in her sixties, Pamela is three times divorced, lives alone, and is constantly "running from one therapist to another" trying to find peace in her soul. Tiffany, of course, is happily married with grown children who treasure her and best of all she has "never required the services a therapist to work out her problems."
Rule #3: Treasure Friendship (Aristotle). This principle is illustrated by Gloria and Helen. Gloria owns a successful business, an elegant house, a new car, and fine things. She's lonely and depressed, with no true friends. Helen, on the other hand, is a secretary who lives in a modest apartment, drives and old car and shops at discount stores. But, you guessed it, she is content with her life and even better, "she has never seen a therapist." All because she has good friends. Introverts have a real advantage here, as "by its very nature, friendship will involve a small number of high-quality relationships." George, the president of a company, thinks he has friends because he gets many invitations, but they're not true friendships, they're "utility friendships." Apparently, a company president won`t have friends, but the stockroom clerk, that's a different story.
Rule #4: Experience True Pleasure. Here we see Maria and Pamela -- but this is good Pamela, not the bad Pamela from Rule #2. Maria flits from man to man, dines at the finest restaurants, and works two jobs to fund her lavish lifestyle. Pamela's life is simple and balanced. She doesn't succumb to fads or waste money on clubs. She is in a solid relationship and values her family and is an elementary school teacher who derives such satisfaction from helping young children.
Rule #5: Master Yourself (Epictetus). Enter John, a successful mechanic and master in his field, a family man and good citizen, always voting in local elections. But John was a heavy smoker and drinker and he craved junk food. Because he couldn't master his cravings, he died in his forties from a heart attack. (/So not only company presidents and the fabulously wealthy experience bad things. Interesting.)
Rule #6: Avoid Excess (Solon). I thought that John the dead mechanic covered this pretty well, but the authors introduce Marisa, who starves herself one day and eats whatever she wants the next. Some days she goes on wild spending sprees while other days she won't even buy essentials, "like coffee." This chapter evolves into a criticism of wealth and therapy, as "the fancy car does not immunize against divorce" nor does "the mansion in Hollywood . . . keep you off the therapist's couch. Foreclosure and homelessness don't keep you off the therapist's couch, either, but the authors don't look at things from that angle.
Rule #7: Be a Responsible Human Being (Pythagoras). This principle is illustrated by Tracy, who blames her teachers for her poor grades and blames her boss and co-workers for her poor work performance, while she wastes hour after hour watching sitcoms on TV. She's doomed to a miserable life.
Rule #8: Don't Be a Prosperous Fool (Aeschylus). John (again) quit college, earned a six-figure income in his twenties, became a millionaire in his thirties, and climbed over everyone in his path. Now he's in his sixties and he lives all alone in a big mansion. Maybe someone should introduce him to wealthy but lonely Gloria from Rule #3.
Rule #9: Don't Do Evil to Other People (Hesiod). Patrick spread rumors about others and tried to undermine them. Now he has poisoned his relationships and lives in constant fear of retaliation.
Rule #10: Kindness Towards Others Tends to be Rewarded (Aesop). This principle is illustrated by Bob, a very nice person who helped care for his younger siblings, shared his lunch money, and helped others with their homework. Now Bob has a wonderful life.
Although I enjoyed the book and the discussions, the anecdotes were a little hokey & unbelievable, with very little nuance, no shades of gray. In The Ten Golden Rules world, Good people live good lives. Bad people are doomed to depression and misery. Good people have friends. Bad people are lonely. Why do some genuinely kind and caring people suffer from depression and loneliness? How is it that successful and wealthy businesspeople can be happy and happily married, when they surround themselves with material possessions? I don`t think you`ll find an answer in this book.
