I did a lot of violent junk just because I needed the money -

Hear now, O Seekers of Truth, the words of Jason Robards, a man who speaks not only of the temptations of fame but of the wisdom gained through experience: "I did a lot of violent junk just because I needed the money—alimony movies, you might call them—and then I decided to start turning down the junk scripts and wait for something better, no matter how long." In these words, Robards speaks of a profound journey of self-discovery, of the internal struggle between the practical demands of life and the higher ideals of one's art. He shares with us the difficult choice between compromise and integrity, between doing what is required for immediate survival and holding out for a work that aligns with one’s truest calling. It is a reflection on the journey of every soul that seeks to live authentically in a world full of distractions.

In the ancient world, the great heroes were often tested by the temptations of glory and wealth. Consider Hercules, who, despite his great strength and nobility, was often forced to choose between his desire for honor and the price he paid for it. His twelve labors were not merely tasks to complete, but tests of his integrity. Much like Robards, who was once driven by the immediate need to support himself, Hercules found that the pursuit of honor sometimes required him to make difficult choices—choices that, though painful, were necessary for his ultimate growth. Robards’ reflection echoes this ancient struggle, the desire for something greater than the immediate gratification of the present moment.

The decision to reject the violent junk—to stop taking roles that were only driven by necessity—was an act of courage and faith. It was the act of someone who had recognized that while survival is necessary, true satisfaction comes not from just fulfilling one's basic needs, but from the pursuit of something higher. The ancients spoke often of delayed gratification—of holding out for the rewards that come not from the fleeting pleasures of the moment, but from the wisdom and endurance that emerge from waiting for the right path. Plato in his Republic warned of the dangers of living for immediate pleasures and shallow rewards, reminding us that the true philosopher seeks not wealth or power, but the truth and the good.

The alimony movies, as Robards humorously calls them, are the distractions that every soul faces—the temptations that arise when we are driven by immediate needs and circumstances. They are the choices that are easy, convenient, but ultimately hollow. The great philosophers and poets of antiquity understood that a life lived only for pleasure or financial gain is one that lacks depth. Aristotle, in his teachings on virtue, warned that true happiness is found not in the pursuit of pleasure, but in the development of the soul—through courage, integrity, and self-discipline. Robards, in his rejection of the roles that served only as a means to an end, recognized the truth that art, much like life, is a reflection of one’s deepest values.

Consider the story of Diogenes, the ancient philosopher who lived in a barrel and rejected all forms of wealth and material comforts. Diogenes was not concerned with survival at any cost; instead, he sought to live in accordance with his truth, valuing wisdom and self-sufficiency over worldly desires. He chose a life that, by outward standards, was filled with sacrifice, but in truth, it was a life marked by profound freedom and integrity. Similarly, Robards recognized that the true value of a life is not found in what is immediately offered to us, but in our ability to stand firm and wait for what aligns with our true calling.

The lesson, O Seekers, is clear: integrity and patience are the true measures of success. It is not enough to accept the first opportunity that comes along. Just as Robards turned down the "alimony movies" to wait for something that resonated with his higher ideals, so too must we learn to be discerning about the choices we make in our own lives. Whether in our work, our relationships, or our pursuits, it is easy to be tempted by the immediate, the practical, or the convenient. But it is only through waiting for that which aligns with our values—that which challenges us and elevates us—that we can find true fulfillment.

And so, O Children, remember this: the journey to greatness is often not a swift one. It is a journey marked by patience, by the wisdom to reject what does not serve your highest purpose, and by the courage to wait for something better, even when the path seems uncertain. Like Robards, whose wisdom grew from the willingness to turn away from the easy route, so too must we learn to make choices that reflect our deepest truth. In doing so, we will find that the true rewards of life come not from the quick and easy, but from the journey that transforms us and brings us closer to the essence of who we are meant to be.