Words We Live By – A Collection

Films, books, religion, world news, familial and cultural sayings— we have grown up exposed to idioms, aphorisms, and cautionary tales. But what sticks with us? The information we absorb remains in our minds, whether actively engaged with or lying dormant. The question: “What cultural phrase has impacted you more in your life?” requires one to introspect and look for one singular guiding light for rearing, decision-making, and development.  

Through this question, I seek to uncover how these cultural ideas shape our actions. Our process of filtering, retaining, and discarding information reveals the obscure patterns of human behavior. Why do we behave as we do? With one common denominator — studies at Sciences Po — nine students were asked the aforementioned question; all varying answers from academic ambition to daily motivation, interpersonal, stress relief, and personal expression.

The idea for this exploration lies behind my own phrasal influence. Since I am passionate about philosophy, my mum and I conversed about philosophers and their popular ideas. At a young age, she taught me the phrase: «Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα» meaning “I know that I know nothing,” a saying by Socrates. This phrase is truly a testament to who I am today — my first realization of the world's endlessness and unlimited knowledge. I assimilated the saying and believed that as much I learned and conquered, it would never be enough — ‘nothing’. This idea evolved into a double-edged sword: fervor for knowledge and uncertainty of the knowledge I possessed.  

“We tell ourselves stories in order to survive” Pedro Meerbaum’s quotation by Joan Didion. As a storyteller, life itself becomes the narrative. Each encounter with someone, each discovery about a person, adds a new dimension to the story. Is life a narrative that shapes thoughts and perceptions? Is this curiosity and passion akin to an existential pursuit reminiscent of the themes of novels? This outlook on life and how he perceives others, the desire to unravel its mysteries echo the ardor and curiosity found in pages of books, reflecting a personal need to organize information for characters' events, forming a quest for meaning.

Daily life presents obstacles, big and small, chances to make mistakes, and trivial obstructions to our routines, but how do we get past them? “Koi Baat Nahi” the Hindi idiom, means “no big deal,” a sentiment of nonchalance and resilience, signifying that trivial matters should not be allowed to disrupt one's peace of mind. It serves as a constant reminder not to sweat the small stuff, whether it's making mistakes in cooking or encountering inconveniences such as “getting pickpocketed in Ventimiglia!” Kaushik Pardeshi’s phrase holds weight in everyday life, prompting prioritizing what matters and reinforcing moral character by distinguishing between right and wrong.

"Echando a perder se aprende" is a Spanish phrase revered by Maria Francisca Araos, embodying the notion that one must "spend things to learn." It was told to Maria Francisca by her grandmother, instilling in the family the courage to explore and embrace mistakes, initially in cooking, where experimentation often leads to the creation of the best dishes. This philosophy extends beyond the kitchen and encompasses abstract concepts like overcoming fear. The saying advocates for risk-taking and encourages people not to fear making mistakes, emphasizing that growth, experience, and a fulfilling life emanate from trial and error.

Fear can be dominating, a “mind killer” as Mariza Michailidou says, she thereby internalized the phrase “I hope for nothing, I fear for nothing, I am free.” This saying engraved on Nikos Kazatzaki’s tombstone urges us to relinquish fear and relinquish expectations, embracing the unknown, for instance “studying abroad”. By rejecting the constraints of fear and expectation, we free ourselves;  whether facing the prospect of moving away or confronting the unfamiliar, this mindset encourages us to approach each moment with a sense of curiosity. The second clause emphasizes acceptance, unburdened by preconceived notions or anxieties, prompting us to welcome situations for what they are.

"When it's dark, you can see the stars.” Guillermo Murphy’s interpretation of the phrase embodies the hopeful idea that people's true brilliance shines through in times of darkness. It suggests that individuals reveal their most admirable qualities amidst adversity, becoming beacons of light. In moments of difficulty, it becomes easier to discern those worth sticking by – those who remain resilient in the darkest of times.

In adversity and ambiguity, Tomás Di Bennito’s phrase is: “Life is about fight.” This phrase said by Tomas’s father, impels you to transform your dreams into reality and shape your life according to your deepest desires. Finding yourself torn between the allure of prestige and your true passions, the phrase acts as a reminder to not fall into the trap of conformity, to pursue happiness and fight for your individuality. This idea embraces living with “your truth,” unshackled by others' perceptions. Live with the freedom to make choices that resonate with your being. 

On a similar note, let's say you are stuck in a situation where you are unhappy, in a relationship, a school, or a job. Ekaterina Brateneva’s phrase from a humorous YouTube video, “Move, you’re not a tree,” reminds us that we are creatures of mobility and active agency. This idea highlights that we can and should act to procure what we want in life.

Procuring what you desire fuels ambition and curiosity and drives you towards achieving your goals. While "Curiosity killed the cat" is a popular idiom cautioning against meddling, Emily Wang underlines its less commonly acknowledged second part, "satisfaction brought it back." Emily identifies with this idiom as a means to justify pushing boundaries toward success and attaining personal goals — an end. Regardless of the curiosity that led to the downfall, the satisfaction derived from achieving the goal revitalizes it.

Ideas shape our actions big and small, from routine to life-changing. Little do we know the words we live by might have led us all here.