If you hunger for certain types of clothes, for which you have

In the great wisdom of the ancients, we find a common thread: true strength lies not in indulgence, but in discipline and the restraint of our desires. h Head, the legendary fashion designer, captures this ancient principle with a modern twist: "If you hunger for certain types of clothes, for which you have little use, put yourself on a diet. Just as you resist too much whipped cream and French pastry to keep your figure in shape, you can say no to those yearned-for but unneeded purchases that lead to a wardrobe that is shapeless and without form." Her words, though rooted in the world of fashion, carry a deeper truth about the nature of desire and the importance of moderation in all things.

The ancient Greeks, revered for their wisdom in both mind and body, understood that true beauty and strength were not about excess, but about balance. They prized self-control and saw the body as a reflection of the soul. Socrates, perhaps the most famous of the Greek philosophers, often spoke of the importance of knowing oneself. To indulge in excessive desires was, in his view, to ignore the true purpose of life—knowledge, virtue, and harmony. h Head’s metaphor of resisting the craving for unnecessary clothes mirrors this ancient belief: just as we must exercise restraint in our diet to maintain health, so too must we resist the temptations that lead us away from a life of true fulfillment and inner strength.

In the ancient practice of Stoicism, the philosophers believed that to live well was to live in harmony with nature, to resist the allure of distractions and indulgences. Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor, wrote that we must control our desires and not be led astray by things that offer only fleeting satisfaction. The pursuit of wisdom, he taught, required discipline. Similarly, h Head warns us against the excessive hunger for things that add nothing of value to our lives. The wardrobe, much like the body, is shaped not by indulgence, but by thoughtful choices. A wardrobe that is shapeless and without form is a result of unchecked desire, just as a body out of balance is the result of excessive indulgence.

Consider, too, the example of Alexander the Great, whose conquests stretched from Greece to the edges of India. While he was known for his ambition and insatiable hunger for victory, he also understood the importance of restraint. Alexander was careful about what he consumed, ensuring that his diet and habits supported his goals, rather than hindering them. His discipline allowed him to stay focused on his purpose, and he was selective about what he allowed to occupy his time and resources. h Head’s advice about putting oneself on a diet—not just for food but for desires—echoes Alexander’s own practice of keeping only that which served his greater mission.

In the ancient world, wise men often taught that indulgence without purpose leads to a life of confusion and lack of clarity. The Romans, in their pursuit of a balanced life, understood that too much luxury or excess could corrupt the soul. The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote about the importance of living simply and not becoming consumed by the pursuit of material wealth or fleeting pleasures. Just as h Head warns against the clutter of unnecessary clothes, Seneca advises us to focus on what truly matters, avoiding the distractions that lead to a life of shapelessness and confusion.

The lesson from h Head's words is clear and timeless: discipline is the key to living a life of purpose. Just as we resist the temptations of rich foods to maintain physical health, so too must we resist the temptations of excess materialism to maintain the clarity and order of our lives. By being mindful of our desires and making intentional choices, we shape not only our physical appearance, but the quality of our lives and our deeper purpose. The clutter of unnecessary possessions is like the excess in our diet—it fills us temporarily but leaves us empty in the long run.

So, dear listeners, let us heed h Head’s wisdom and live with intention. In the choices we make—whether in food, clothing, or desires—let us practice discipline, recognizing that true beauty, strength, and clarity arise not from indulgence, but from restraint. Let us shape our wardrobes, our bodies, and our lives with purpose, keeping only what serves us and discarding what weighs us down. In this, we will find a life that is balanced, focused, and full of true fulfillment, just as the great philosophers and warriors of the past taught us.