The 1:5 Problem of Balance

When a verse in Pirkei Avos pushes together several apparently disparate ideas, I struggle to connect them. I merely labelled the resulting idea "The 1:5 Problem of Balance." Here it is.

The verse begins by stating "let your house be wide open." As I wrote in an earlier post, a contemporary translation of our "house" is our mind or our internet connection. So here, the verse encourages an open mind.

But the verse continues with "let the needy be members of your household," moving beyond open-mindedness to generosity. By giving the needy our attention, we are less likely to be self-centered.

So far, so good. But the weird part follows: "and do not over-indulge in light talk with your wife." Wow. How does encouragement to open-mindedness move to admonishing frivolity with one's wife? Realizing that any explanation may look like justification, I would still like to venture my idea.

Sometimes, when one feels "open-minded" and generous, there is an expansiveness - kind of like being "high on life." At such periods, we may be susceptible to new connections, new ideas or even new commitments. With all of that good stuff going on, life may lose its seriousness. As every silver lining has its cloud, the cloud here seems to be frivolity.

This last part of the verse seems to warn that while keeping our heads in the clouds of open-minded generosity, we should be balanced in keeping our feet seriously grounded.

"Emotional Stability"

One of my favorite reads of the year is Berkshire Hathaway's annual report. A few hours ago it was published and, as usual, it was filled with insight and humor. But one of the most interesting discussions this year dealt with the challenge of finding an investor to succeed Mr. Buffett. In looking for such a person, he listed as vital qualities for investment success to be "independent thinking, emotional stability and a keen understanding of both human and institutional behavior." While the thinking and understanding components are clearly vital, I found it significant that "emotional stability" got equal billing.

In reading about Twelve Step programs, the eleventh step deals with prayer and meditation. The step's discussion on emotions relates as well to investing as addictive behaviors. In the primary text (Big Book p.88), he writes "as we go through the day, we pause..we are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity or foolish decisions." Note the progression. It is similar to watching a stock bubble with "excitement" and pop and finally get sold at "foolish" levels. I think Mr. Buffett has once again hit it; like recovery itself, investing is "simple, but not easy" (Big Book p.14).