26 Comments
User's avatar
Practical Stoic Advice's avatar

Well put. It reminds me of Plato's words, "Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools speak because they have to say something."

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

When we speak from substance rather than ego, our words carry weight.

Expand full comment
Stratman44's avatar

That saying resonates with me too - especially at work, where the people who like to be heard are usually those that know the least.

Expand full comment
Stratman44's avatar

Absolutely right. Sometimes it pays to be silent - choose your battles, conserve mental energy and when it’s time to have an opinion, make sure you’re well informed.

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

Yes! Save your voice for what truly matters.

Expand full comment
Thi nha Tran's avatar

As I am heading for 80 years old next year, being focused on Stoic Wisdom is importantly and most important for me to stay alive well. Office of Health andWellBeing focused is my ideal place to be, work and play now. Just give me strength and focusing to live my good life.

Expand full comment
Thi nha Tran's avatar

Yes. I agree. We all need to focus on what is important and matters. Eventually talking.

Expand full comment
Taft's avatar

Shifting my mindset from having opinions and beliefs, to having questions and curiosities has been one of the most important aspects to maintaining a healthy mind and heart.

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

Yes! Questions open doors, opinions build walls. I've found the same freedom. When I'm curious instead of certain, I learn more and judge less.

Expand full comment
Scott Cole's avatar

Excellently said.

Expand full comment
Gayle Beavil 🇨🇦's avatar

Love this perspective. I think we need to choose wisely about where we put our attention and not feel pressured to speak our minds about everything — especially if we don’t have enough information. Assumptions are dangerous and stop us from actually being open to learn. Love this!

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

Thank you! Yes, silence can be wisdom. Before speaking, I try to ask myself: "Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" This simple filter has saved me from countless regrets.

Expand full comment
Palak Jangid's avatar

This is the topic on which only few people talk about. Btw it was great 🔥

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

Glad it resonated with you. Sometimes the most important truths are the least discussed.

Expand full comment
Colette Molteni's avatar

I say sometimes you can just observe, rather than form an opinion.

Expand full comment
Gina Brezini's avatar

LOVE IT! Thanks.

Expand full comment
Taryn Faith RN. BSN's avatar

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Expand full comment
ILEANA AGOSTINI's avatar

Thank you for this post! It served as a GIGANTIC mental poke if you will, reminding me that indeed I need to be more intentional with my voice and thoughts. No I DON’T need to have an opinion on everything. Again, thanks for this!

Expand full comment
Stoic Wisdoms's avatar

I'm glad it resonated! Being selective with our opinions gives the ones we do share more weight. Like decluttering a home, it creates space for what truly matters.

Expand full comment
Alpha Pascal's avatar

In a world that demands constant commentary, silence has become a forgotten art. We are conditioned to believe that every ripple in the current of discourse requires our voice, that every unfolding event must pass through the sieve of our judgment. Yet, true wisdom is not measured by the frequency of our words, but by the depth of our understanding—and sometimes, understanding requires nothing more than stillness.

Not every question seeks an answer, not every argument warrants a response. The universe has existed long before our thoughts formed, and it will continue long after they fade. What then is the weight of an opinion, if it does not add to clarity, if it does not illuminate? The oak does not concern itself with the wind's every whisper, nor does the river pause to justify its course. So too, the mind is not meant to be a battlefield of endless disputes, but a sanctuary where only the most worthy of thoughts take root.

To refrain from forming an opinion on everything is not ignorance, but discipline. It is an act of defiance against the illusion that noise equates to wisdom. For in the quiet, in the deliberate act of withholding judgment, we do not diminish ourselves—we expand. We make room for truth to emerge, untainted by our biases, untouched by the need for validation.

Let the world speak, let events unfold, let the winds carry the voices of a thousand perspectives. We do not always need to add to the chorus. Sometimes, the most profound thing we can do is listen, and in that listening, understand.

Expand full comment
Maria Kram's avatar

Choice overload is real. We have limited cognitive resources, so having more options to consider drains our mental energy more quickly, overwhelming us

Expand full comment
Alek Keller's avatar

I agree with you deeply. I noticed that you didn’t talk about asking questions during a conversation you don’t have knowledge about. I would love to have your opinion on this.

I think it is important to be open to ideas that we do not think of interest. Through this curiosity, we can grow as humans to be more in touch with others’ stories, even if it doesn’t impact us.

Love your writing,

- Alek

Expand full comment
Manu Paternus's avatar

The title intrigued me, so I thought I’d stop by and leave an opinion without reading the rest. Lol

Expand full comment
ringoesq's avatar

You Don't Need *To Have An* Opinion on Everything.

Expand full comment
Kanika Priya Sethi's avatar

Yes….AND, I have an opinion on harming other human beings. IMHO, it’s not ok and happening a lot right now. So it is my opinion that standing up against this is the right thing to do right now.

Expand full comment
bassam's avatar

😅

Expand full comment