Seneca: Tantalus: What is the greatest power? Thyestes:…

Other people gain leverage over us through what we believe we must have from them. Approval can make us silent. Money can make us tolerate terms we should question. Belonging can make us disguise our values. Complete independence is unrealistic; we all need one another. But we can reduce unhealthy dependence by becoming clearer about our real needs and by building alternatives. Save a modest cushion if you can. Develop skills that travel with you. Keep friendships where honesty is possible. Practice saying a respectful no to small requests that violate your priorities. These habits make it less likely that fear will decide for you when the stakes are higher. Freedom is not having no responsibilities. It is retaining enough inner and practical stability that another person's favor cannot purchase your conscience. Want less from status, and status has less power to command you.