Maybe you’re striving for perfection but keep falling short. Well, the ancient sages had something to say about that, something that resonates even today.
Philo, a Jewish philosopher living in Alexandria almost two thousand years ago, offered a fascinating interpretation of the Flood story. It's found in what's called The Midrash of Philo. Now, on the surface, he’s talking about the Flood, the one with Noah and the ark. He notes that while there may be many floods, there will never be another that turns the entire earth into a sea. That's the literal reading.
But Philo, ever the allegorist, digs deeper. He sees a divine kindness in this promise. According to him, not every part of our soul needs to be perfect in every virtue. Instead, some parts of us are adorned to a considerable degree, shining bright. Think of it like this: maybe you're not a master chef, a concert pianist, and a Nobel laureate all rolled into one. But you might be an amazing friend, a dedicated parent, or a brilliant artist.
Philo argues that even if we can't achieve excellence in everything, we should still strive to cultivate the virtues within our reach. It's about recognizing our potential and working diligently to realize it. Just because you can't perfect every aspect of your life doesn't mean you should despair about the things you can do.
This is a powerful message, isn't it? It pushes against the all-or-nothing mentality that can so easily trap us. We each have a unique set of talents and abilities, and we have a responsibility to nurture them.
Philo goes on to say that if we don't exert ourselves according to the power we possess, we are both idle and ungrateful. Idle because of our laziness, and ungrateful because we are setting ourselves in opposition to the very gifts we’ve been given. Strong words!
So, what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a call to focus on our strengths, to cultivate the virtues that come naturally to us, and to be grateful for the unique abilities we possess. It's a reminder that we don't have to be perfect to be valuable, to be meaningful, to make a difference. Maybe, just maybe, the key is to embrace our imperfections and strive to become the best version of ourselves, one virtue at a time.