We often underestimate the wisdom that comes from our ancient history. The average human believes that wisdom is linear and that we become wiser as we go further in time.
There is nothing more wrong than this. The authentic capabilities of the mind are non-linear, and ancient wisdom represents tangible proof.
We’re talking about sayings thousands of years old, yet they fit incredibly well with our trading world. Such demonstrates two things:
● The dynamics behind trading are timeless and unconditioned
● True wisdom is timeless and unconditioned
Let’s explore these ancient Latin sayings to know how they apply to trading and what we can learn from them as traders.
In dubiis abstine
Translation: In the cases of doubt, refrain from
When the situation is ambiguous, refrain from deciding. Just wait and see. Taking a position in an uncertain situation is like gambling: there is no valid reason why one should take one or the other. The answer will eventually come: be virtuous and wait for it.
Nihil difficile amanti
Translation: Nothing is difficult for he who loves
Trading is difficult. So many people lose money, and it is because they crave it more than they like what they are doing. But when one LOVES what he is doing, nothing is impossible, and everything becomes easy. The trader who loves trading can break records, annihilate limiting beliefs, and pass beyond any barrier. It’s all about how he loves.
Fortuna audaces iuvat
Translation: Fortune favors the bold
A common belief is that one reaches success only through enough dose of fortune. Trading is the perfect environment to learn how this belief is far from reality. Success comes from persistence in all conditions, making it possible to get the “lucky shot”.
But there’s no luck without audacity. In the end, fortune doesn’t exist. Trading teaches us that whatever gain comes with pure luck, bare of merit, will eventually return into dust or be rebalanced with a loss of equal entity, whether it distributes over time or is of another nature. Remember: it takes many months, even years to be successful overnight.
Male Parta Male Dilabuntur
Translation: What has been wrongly gained is wrongly lost
This one fits stupendously with the famous quote on fortune. It highlights the theory of worthiness. One has to be WORTHY of the growth experienced. It is possible to gain something even if one does not deserve it, in the same way, that one can win a lottery, rob someone, or kill for profit. Ultimately, the balance shall be re-established.
If we’re worthy of it, that balance will be there in the heights. We belong where the point of equilibrium is. Being worthy is nothing more than belonging to something justly. Whoever awaits or craves something which he does not deserve in the first place is unaware of desiring his despair. Such was understood two thousand years ago already: it is now time to realize it.
Exilis nummus brevem parit missam
Translation: For those who pay little, mass is short
Another great way to say: as we give, we shall receive. To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. To make something grow, first put it in the soil.
To generate a gain, we have to risk something. In better wording, we have to put something at risk. Such is the basis of every potential. Anyway, risk generates the potential but does not guarantee obtainment. To build wealth and preserve it, we have to know how and when to put a seed of value into the soil, how much of it, and how to cultivate it, so that we can sit in the shade of our beloved tree.
Acta Non Verba
Translation: deeds, not words.
A common mistake from average traders is telling others their “predictions”, what trade they will do, and other stuff that involves them talking about their convictions about the market.
There are various reasons why this is wrong in the first place. Most of the time we feel the urge to tell someone our prediction is because of our ego. It reveals to be just a need to obtain validation and personal satisfaction. An unsuccessful trader leaks out his energy as soon as he has some, only to feed his ego by impressing others. Such a person will not make the right decisions when trading and will act under the influence of his negative emotions and egotistical impulses.
Ancient Latins discovered that learning to control our mouth is an efficient practice for self-control. Moreover, a controlled mouth prevents inconvenient and unproductive speaking from coming out and causing damage.
As successful traders, we should be able to control ourselves and direct our energy toward productive deeds.
Ex Nihilo Nihil Fit
Translation: nothing comes from nothing.
The truth about value has been known since the dawn of time because it is intrinsic to ourselves. Yet again, our ego clouds such natural knowledge. This ancient saying emphasizes that everything in this world originates from effort or energy. Effort disappears with infinite energy, but we as humans are a finite source. Therefore, we have to make an effort.
Trading is one of the most demanding activities because it requires much effort, especially for the inner part of oneself. Furthermore, this saying teaches us that something belongs to its effort or energy equivalent. Huge gains from financial instruments and goods that have zero value, produced with little to no effort, cause a severe unbalance. Such will eventually find a way to return to its point of equilibrium. In other words, what has been gained through nothingness will return to it. The wise trader doesn’t trade in environments of no value, nor even tries to gain from it anyway.
Memento vivere
Translation: Remember to live.
Trading is one of those activities that can turn into a time-drainer without logical reason. A lot of people spend 10+ hours on the charts. The situation worsens in markets that trade 24 hours a day as crypto and forex. The only case in which this would be justified is in the process of learning and experiencing. But anyway, there are three main reasons why wasting life on the charts is counterproductive and actually pointless.
1. Trading decisions should happen rapidly.
It is essential to maintain the freshness of mind. One should develop the capability to make decisions efficiently with what he truly needs. The more time we spend in front of the charts, the more noise and garbage we gather, even involuntarily. The less time one needs to decide efficiently, the more successful he is. Master traders need seconds to take a decision.
2. It favors overthinking.
Did you make a decision? Were you decisive? There is no reason to keep monitoring your charts. As you keep doing the same thing, doubts start appearing, and our decision becomes vulnerable to overthinking. It is really of no use to overthink something. If we habituate ourselves to this, we could never become able to make efficient decisions. As one overthinks more, the quality of the decision decreases.
3. It degrades mental and physical health.
Imagine spending 5, 8, or 10+ hours sitting in a chair in front of the screen subjugating the mind to immense amounts of information. First our mind, then our body will slowly degrade until we become washed-out zombies. Our energy is something to protect and optimize. We can’t just consume energy, we also must produce it. One knows he is a successful trader when he only spends minutes in front of the screen and the rest living his life well. The result of enjoying living? More freshness, clearance, and positivity.
Remember to live is a powerful sentence to remember how important it is to be serene, fresh, and have a positive and productive use of our time. Leading a pleasant and judicious life is itself a productive use of time.
In conclusion
Never underestimate ancient wisdom. Even in an environment that may look evolved, new, or too forward in time, real wisdom always works.
Latins truthfully used their minds to analyze the world and they did it pretty well. So well that even today we can recall their sayings to be productive in front of screens and charts.
Trading has been existing since forever, but the conditions have changed drastically. But here is the thing: wisdom does not bother about conditions.
A successful trader is a seeker of knowledge and wisdom. He internalizes everything good that has been said and written in pages worth considering.
Productivity and efficiency come significantly from experience: is there something better to accelerate growth through the experience of those who have come before and have used their mind so efficiently?
Everything described in this article has the sole purpose of being informative and providing general information. The author has no intention of providing any financial advice, legal advice, or tax advice. Do not rely on this article to make investment decisions. Seek professional help before making any such decision. The author does not take any responsibility for loss or damage of any nature. The use you make of the information contained in this article is your sole responsibility.