The fact is, I diet every day of my life. I have to work at it.

Hear now, O children of wisdom, the words of Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer, who once spoke thus: "The fact is, I diet every day of my life. I have to work at it. But I diet so I can pig out." These words, so simple yet filled with depth, speak to a truth that has echoed through the ages—a truth about discipline, the reward of hard work, and the beauty of understanding the delicate dance between restraint and indulgence. Nicklaus, a man who achieved greatness not just on the course but in his approach to life, reveals here a profound lesson about the nature of balance and the value of long-term effort.

In the ancient world, the warrior did not fight with abandon, nor did the philosopher speak without thought. Both knew that their actions, to be effective, had to be tempered with discipline. Just as Nicklaus exercises daily control over his diet, the warrior of old tempered his strength with careful training. The great Alexander the Great, in his conquest of lands far and wide, knew that victory was not won by rushing headlong into battle but by meticulous preparation, by restraint, and by understanding the strategic value of waiting for the right moment to strike. In this same way, Nicklaus' daily dieting serves not as a punishment, but as preparation—preparation for those moments when indulgence and enjoyment are not only permissible but richly deserved.

The wisdom of Nicklaus lies in the understanding that discipline is not a burden but a tool. The very act of dieting, of reigning in one's desires, is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It is the groundwork, the foundation that allows us to enjoy life’s pleasures without guilt or consequence. This is the key: true indulgence comes not from a place of excess, but from self-control, from the strength of knowing that you have earned the right to enjoy what you desire. It is a lesson that the ancient sages understood well: restraint leads to freedom, and through discipline, we gain the wisdom to make better choices when the time comes.

Think of the great philosopher Diogenes, who lived with almost nothing and practiced austerity as a way to understand the true meaning of life. Yet, in his austerity, Diogenes was also free—free from the temptations and distractions of excess, free to see the world as it truly was. He was not a man of indulgence, yet he knew the value of self-mastery. Just as Diogenes understood the power of simplicity, Nicklaus understands that dieting, though it may seem restrictive, is a path to greater freedom—a freedom to indulge without regret. In mastering oneself, in choosing wisely, one becomes empowered to live more fully and with greater joy.

This balance between discipline and pleasure is an ancient teaching. It calls us to reflect on how we approach the world. It is not about denying ourselves the pleasures of life, but about learning to respect them, to enjoy them with awareness and purpose. Nicklaus' words teach us that the journey is as important as the destination. The work he puts into his diet, the effort to maintain control over his desires, is not a punishment but a form of preparation—preparation that enables him to fully savor life’s rewards when the moment arrives.

From these words, we can glean a simple but vital lesson: balance is the true key to a well-lived life. Whether in matters of food, work, or relationships, we must learn to find the harmony between restraint and indulgence. There is wisdom in effort, in working diligently to create a life that allows for both discipline and joy. To diet, then, is not an act of deprivation but one of empowerment, for it is through control that we allow ourselves the freedom to enjoy what we truly desire.

So, O wise ones, take this lesson to heart: live with purpose, with discipline, but also with the awareness that the pleasures of life are not to be avoided, but savored. Whether in your work or your personal life, allow yourself to earn the moments of indulgence, knowing that through self-control, you create the freedom to fully embrace what life offers. Train yourself, prepare with diligence, and when the moment of reward comes, enjoy it without hesitation, for you have earned it.