The Lessons of History – the pendulum swing

History – as well as many things in life – are a pendulum swing: too much of one thing can actually lead to its opposite, before reaching back to its equilibrium. This is true in business, economics systems, relationships, politics, among other things.

“The fear of capitalism has compelled socialism to widen freedom, and the fear of socialism has compelled capitalism to increase equality.”

Lessons in History, Will and Ariel Durant

“Every form of government tends to perish by excess of its basic principle. Aristocracy ruins itself by limiting too narrowly the circle withing which power is confined; oligarchy ruins itself by the incautious for immediate wealth… But even democracy ruins itself by excess-of democracy. Its basic principle is the equal right of all to hold office and determine public policy. This is at first glance a delightful arrangement; it becomes disastrous because the people are not properly equipped by education to select the best rulers and the wisest courses… The upshot of such a democracy is tyranny or autocracy“

The Story of Philosophy, Will Durant

The lesson for me is that while it is good for us to have strong value, firm beliefs, and consistent opinion, it is also necessary to have a healthy respect and understanding of their opposite. Such respect and understanding help us to stay in the equilibrium point of the pendulum swing, rather than going to the extreme. In business, that would mean being open and listening to diverse business ideas; in relationships, that would mean having a healthy respect for other people’s opinion and sometimes putting other people’s interest ahead of ours; in life that would mean deviating from our routines once in a while, doing something adventurous and exploratory.

Applying such a mentality to life is also very helpful in facing adversity. Since too much of a good thing can lead to its opposite, letting some “bad things” happen once in a while is actually not such a bad idea. In fact, small and manageable adversity / challenges in life can be good for our overall being / development. Adversities keep us sober, challenges make us stronger, shaping us into a better version of ourselves.