Many years ago, when I first met Aristotle in a philosophy class, I didn’t fully appreciate how practical he was. But as life unfolds, his ancient wisdom begins to sound strangely modern, almost as if he had lived among us, scrolling through Instagram, attending performance reviews, and watching political drama unfold in real time.

Aristotle argued that human beings generally spend their lives pursuing one of three kinds of life: 

• the life of pleasure
• the life of honour
• and the contemplative life. 

You might hear this and think, “Philosophy talk,” but if you look closely, you’ll recognise yourself somewhere in that list.

Today, let’s focus on the life of honour because this is the one most people unknowingly chase, and it’s also the one with the biggest built-in danger.

The Life That Depends on Other People

Aristotle said the life of honour is attractive because it feels noble. It is the life of achievement, recognition, influence, and status; what today we might call:

• career success
• awards and public praise
• political visibility
• professional reputation
• social media validation

Nothing is wrong with these things. In fact, they are important. Society cannot function without people who lead, excel, and contribute.

But Aristotle pointed out one uncomfortable truth:

Honour is given by others. And whatever is given by others can be taken away by them.

That single insight explains much of the anxiety and performance pressure people live under today.

• In the workplace, one manager’s opinion can make or break your appraisal.
• Online, one viral moment can build your platform and one rumour can destroy it.
• In politics, popularity is a wind that shifts without warning.
• Even in families, approval can be inconsistent.

A life built on external validation will always feel unstable, because you’re essentially renting your happiness from other people.

And rent can go up.

Or expire.

Or be revoked without notice.

Why This Matters to Ordinary People Like Us

You don’t need to be a politician or a celebrity for this to apply. Think of the everyday situations:

1.Career

You pour yourself into your job, but a change in leadership suddenly reduces your visibility. Or a brilliant project goes unnoticed because someone else takes the credit.

2. Social Media

You start posting your work, expecting encouragement, but the likes don’t come. Or worse, they come and then suddenly they don’t. Your mood rises and falls with metrics you don’t control and your happiness is measured by an algorithm.

3. Family and Society

Some people live as though life is a never-ending audition for respect. They sacrifice peace trying to meet expectations that keep shifting.

In all these cases, you are essentially trusting other people to define your worth.

And people, wonderful as they may be, are unpredictable.

The Alternative: Building a Life That Cannot Be Taken Away

Aristotle believed the highest life is the contemplative life not in the sense of meditating on a mountain, but in the sense of living from the inside out rather than from the outside in.

In practical terms, this means:

Cultivating Inner Competence

Take pride in doing your work well, not because someone will clap, but because you value excellence.

Deepening Your Inner Life

This can mean prayer, reflection, journaling, reading, or simply creating space to think. People with a rich inner world are harder to destabilise.

Knowing Who You Are When No One Is Watching

If applause stopped today, would you still feel grounded? If a role, title, or platform disappeared, would your identity survive? Take time to answer these questions. You’ll be surprised by what you find out about yourself through the answers.

Your Worth Cannot Be Outsourced

The deeper point Aristotle makes is this:

A meaningful life must be rooted in something that cannot be revoked.

When your sense of worth is tied to external validation, your peace becomes fragile.

When it is grounded in personal values, inner clarity, spiritual depth, and sincere self-respect, your life becomes harder to shake.

Titles may change.

Followers may fluctuate.

People’s opinions may drift.

But what is built inside you remains yours.

And that, is the kind of life no one can take away.