A Parable: The Student of Socrates · 3:41am Dec 13th, 2017
Way back in Ancient Greece, so the story goes, Socrates was teaching in Athens. One day, a young man came to him, in awe of his wisdom and philosophy. "I want to be as smart as you," he said. "What is the secret to your success?"
Socrates said, "I'll show you." He guided the young man through all of the streets, past building after building. The young man expected to see the library, or the forum, or perhaps the bath house, but instead, they ended up next to a river. "The secret is in the water," Socrates said.
The young man leaned down. "I don't see it."
"Look closer."
He knelt down, put his face next to the water, and stared, but he saw nothing but his own reflection. "I still don't--"
In an instant, Socrates put his hand on the young man's head and pushed him below the surface. He held it there for a solid minute, then let go. The young man pulled his head back, gasping and retching. "What was that for?!" he asked.
"When you were under the surface, what did you feel?" Socrates asked.
"I felt like I wanted to breathe, of course!"
"More than anything else? It was the only thing on your mind?"
"My life literally depended on it!"
Socrates got up and turned around. "When you desire wisdom as badly as you desired oxygen in that moment, then you can become my student." And he left, leaving the young man with his thoughts.
Most teachers think Socrates didn't leave the student under the water long enough.