The 3 Lessons Of History

We can learn a lot from history if we take the time to study the lessons that it has from us. Human nature has not changed despite all the different advances in technology and the different ideologies and everything else, humans are still humans. A study of history is a front row seat to studying human nature. This is one reason anyone or group who takes power is so determined to rewrite history, in many ways controlling the history is controlling the future.

Not to mention the power that there is in history and understanding where you come from. In all of my study of history there are three lessons that are repeated again and again and again. Regardless of the geography of the people, the system used to organize them, the time period, or anything else these three lessons have held true and will hold true until the end of this world. They are harsh lessons but important ones. So let’s talk about the three lessons of history

The Lessons Of History #1 – Do Not Be Poor

I don’t mean to be cynical with these thought to many they’ll come across this way. In a good society filled with strong patriarchial men these lessons have less of an effect (though they’re always at play) however they are most in effect at the time of wolves, meaning when a society is going through it’s destruction phase and the phase right after, the time we are in, in the west right now.

In every time, nation, and place whether America at the founding, Communist Russia, or living in a tribe on the serengeti before the time of Abraham there have been different rules for different people. And always the rules have had more “bend” in them for those with resources as opposed to those without.

You’ll see a politician (who in addition to having money also has some selling skills) do something and get away with it scot free and yet someone who is poor will get jail time. The rich are treated differently than the poor, always have been and always will be. Society will always cater to them and they’ll have more leeway with everything from breaking laws to getting away with unpopular opinions.

The Lessons Of History #2 – Do Not Be Weak

Again having well knit together societies helps to prevent how harshly the weak are preyed upon, but weakness has always been targeted even in the closest of societies. While ideally the weak would be shown how to be strong and embraced with love if they are of the same tribe, now weakness is seen to be exploited to the max. Weakness and strenght compromise three areas.

Heart, mind, and body. You can be weak in your spirit, or your fire/thumos/fight. You can be weak in your physical body Arnold’s “girly men” and today’s “soy boys/cuckolds”. And you can be weak in your mind being naive and lacking cunning and having a rosy view of your “fellow” man. Weakness in any area leads to explotation by those above, below, and to the side of you.

You must work to develop strength in all areas, something I’ve been harping on for awhile and that history bears out. Train the body with basic combat skills and weight training, train the mind with the reading of books and human interaction, and train the spirit with prayer, meditation, and going deep in nature. The world does not tolerate weakness.

The Lessons Of History #3 – Do Not Be A Fool

First I was going to call this lesson “do not be stupid” but I think do not be a fool conveys the meaning much better. Being stupid is a hindrance but not as important as being rich or strong. Plenty of stupid people have gotten very far in life. However a fool is destined for destruction. IQ counts for something but it is wisdom that wins the day.

Like I mentioned before a large part of wisdom is having an understanding of human nature, sure it goes beyond that but that’s one heck of a good starting point. Wisdom is timeless and regardless of how corrupt or good the system you live under is will get you far. As the book of proverbs says “Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth. Forsake her (wisdom) not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.” (this is from Proverbs 4 which is a good read). 

Of these I would say wisdom is the most fundamental and it is wisdom that will illuminate the need for the others in the first place. I’ve talked about the two core pillars of being a man are wisdom and courgage, with these two things there are few things that you cannot do and that you cannot achieve.

Study History, Create The Future

There is plenty more that history has to teach the good student. These three lessons are some that will hold true forever and should be learned. They aren’t fair but as we know the world isn’t fair and never will be. We can always strive to build something better, while also understanding the reality of human nature. As has been said civilization is the thin veneer over the volcano of human nature. Study these lessons, understand them, and apply them to your own life.

If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it. You can follow me on Twitter here.

-Charles Sledge