
βAll men desire the apparent good, but the good man discerns the true good.ββ
β Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 4
(Translated by W.D. Ross)
Big Idea
Lifeβs like shopping at a fake designer market π:
- Apparent Good = Buy $20 “Gucci” belt β Peels in 2 weeks.
- True Good = Save for authentic leather β Lasts 20 years.
βReal-Life Scenarios
πΌ Career Moves
β Fake Good: Take shady promotion to impress friends β Career implosion.
β True Good: Stay entry-level at ethical startup β Become industry leader.
π Social Media
β Fake Good: Post luxury Airbnb pics for likes β Credit card debt.
β True Good: Share budget travel hacks β Build authentic community.
π Health Trends
β Fake Good: Buy $100 “detox” tea β Lose water weight, gain insecurity.
β True Good: Walk daily + eat veggies β Sustainable energy boost.
βWhat You Can Do
- βThe βLabel Checkβ Test
Ask before chasing goals:- βIs this βGucci or βgucci-shaped garbage?β
- βWill this matter in 10 years?β
- βValue Swap
Replace 1 fake pursuit with 1 authentic habit:
β Instagrammable gym selfies β Private yoga for mental clarity.
β Designer coffee cups β Homemade brew + donate savings. - βAuthenticity Tracker
Use notes app to log weekly:
Week 1: Chose mentorship over promotion β
Week 2: Bought organic seeds, not fad superfoods β