Jordan Peterson - Speak your truth or pay the price

Excerpt from his talk at the Manning Conference (Feb 23-25, 2017).

[danstetina]

At first I wanted to write down the most important lines from this video, but than I realized that every single word of this masterpiece is absolutely spot on. So there you have it all in case you wanted to print it out and hang it on the wall (as I did).

SPEAK YOUR BEING FORWARD!
Your capacity for speech is divine. It’s a thing that generates order from chaos. Don’t underestimate the power of truth. There is nothing more powerful. Now in order to speak to what you might regard as a truth you have to let go of the outcome. You have to think: “Alright, I’m going to say what I think. Stupid as I am. Biased as I am. Ignorant as I am. I’m going to state what I think as clearly as I can and I’m going to live with the consequences no matter what they are.” That’s an element of faith. The idea is that nothing brings a better world into Being that stated truth.
Now you might have to pay a price for that but that’s fine, you’re going to pay price for every bloody thing you do and every bloody thing you don’t do. You don’t get to choose to not pay the prize. You’re going to choose which poison you’re going to take. That’s it. If you’re going to stand up for something - stand up for your truth. It will shape you because people will respond and object and tell you why you’re a fool and biased moron and why you’re ignorant and then, if you listen to them, you’ll be just that much less like that the next time you say something. And if you do that for the five years, you’ll be so damn tough and articulate and able to communicate and withstand pressure, that you won’t even recognize yourself. And then you’ll be force to contend with.
It is not safe to speak. And it never will be… But the thing you have to keep in mind that it’s even less safe not to speak. It’s a balance of risks. You wanna pay the price of being who you are and stating your mode of being in the world, or do you wanna pay the price for being a bloody serve - one that enslaved him- or herself. Well, that’s a major prize man. That thing unfolds over decades. You’ll just be a miserable worm at the end of about twenty years of that. No self- respect, No power, No ability to voice your opinions, Nothing left but resentment because everyone is against you, because of course you’ve never stood up for yourself.
It’s like: Say what you think – carefully, pay attention to your words. It’s a price you wanna pay. If you’re willing to believe that truth is the cornerstone of society in the most real sense. If you’re willing to take that leap, then tell the truth and see what happens – And nothing better could possibly happen to you. There’ll be ups and down and there will be pushbacks and controversy and all of that, but it doesn’t matter. It’s like: Wake up, tell the truth, tell the truth! Or at least don’t lie.
You know a thousand people – you are the center of network.
People can’t talk, are afraid to talk or they don’t know what to say. And those are real problems. So if you’re reasonably articulate – Start talking and sharpen yourself up. If you’ll stand your ground and don’t apologize and articulate things properly, they’ll disperse around you like they’re not even there.
Be afraid, but be afraid of a right thing. And right thing you should be afraid of is not saying what you say. Because that is the same as not being. And here you are, suffering away – you might as well be at the same time, at least than there is something to you.

First: Let go of the outcome.
Then pay attention to your words and how they make you feel.
Stop lying to yourself and others, and be grateful for criticism you receive.

[thomasburns]

You pay the price. The price is ultimately cheaper to tell the truth. Lies hurt more. Only the truth will set you free.

[alexisidro]

I need this. Jordan is always bringing depth to my life.

[gm]

This is the best peice of advice you could ever take on. By living by this rule you live with the highest integrity as a human possible and that is probably the most important character trait you can possess. By telling the truth and being authentic you learn to let go of what others think of you because you put truth as the cornerstone of your life values . POWERFUL !!

[chloem.]

This speech sets me on fire I come back to listen every now and then

[bonniek]

I’ve doing this more and more for the last 5 years and I can’t believe how different I am. This was the first video I ever saw of Jordan Peterson and I was hooked. This is the best thing I learned from him.

[ZmmettD]

"If your going to stand up for something stand up for your truth, it will shape you because people will respond and object and tell you why your a fool and a biased moron and why your ignorant and then if your listen to them you'll be just much less like that the next time you say something..and if you do that for 5 years you'll be so damn tough." Epicness.

[spiritjenni]

Thank you Jordon, I’ve been doing just that, it’s scary, you will be judged. But the power on educating yourself and going within is priceless. I wish I found you years ago!

[grahamthomas]

Sometimes choosing silence is your truth. I agree with the notion of speaking your truth as a means of being completely yourself and not trying to hide. The point that we lie to not get in trouble is a good one, but the suggestion that you will regret not speaking your truth is also a threat. I am not suggesting lying, but sometimes not sharing everything is a centered choice. This speak your truth or else business is fear based. I would amend this to act your truth that could be speaking or remain silent, only you will know.

[booffish]

been following Mr Peterson for a few months now.. i click on everything that is suggested and this is by far the truest shit he's ever said..

pun intended..

[marcotam]

Good god, what a powerful message. There is something truly priceless about being able to speak your truth and hopefully also having the dignity of living with the consequences. Bless this man.

[gabrielajimenez]

This is motivating. I always hold back but he says it clearly “the clouds will disperse”.

[irenabe]

This was excellent. We genetically want to be socially accepted and admired. Any type of rejection hurts and causes damage (just read that in a study). If I'm going to speak my truth I have to be fortified - meaning I have to have a group of people who love and accept me and I have to be one with my Holy God inside. Otherwise it would just be an emotional slaughter.

[juliorosario]

I have done it as JP says, always spoke clearly, directly, honestly and prontly. It have brought me self respect, and therefore others respect me reflexively, the price is wonderful satisfaction and peace of mind. I have gained time with people ways. I am an employer and manage personnel.

[michaelidarecis]

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. That is the comforter when people speak The Truth

Praise Jesus,
Michael Idarecis

[wesna]

I've been holding back, suppressing and pretending for 34years..I just woke up and I feel like I came to the end of this negative, drowning me down behaviour pattern, cycle, or whatever it is... I'm mentaly drained, tired and pissed of at myself..Ive learnt this in my family.. Talking or just trying to express anything was met with zero understanding, compassion, given space to communicate, with an anger, rejection and feelings of me hurting the other person... Then I wouldn't whole my life talking my truth.. Illnesses, depression, anxiety, addictions, obesity, overweight, no purpose in life, extreme low self esteem and zero self care were and are all the reflection of it. It feels like it's comming to its end.. I'm 34 and tired of this life.. Who's here to fight this and change it for yourself?

[tomnair]

Very nicely said

Don’t be a serf man 👨 stand up for yourself

[mrknowmyself]

The price of telling lies far outweighs the price of telling truth.
If you tell lies all sorts of side effects including you become corrupt occur that it will make you hurt in the future

[eulennachathen]

One of the best Jordan Peterson clips I've seen so far.

[jolienberinghs]

I'm gonna speak my truth very soon. Might lose a job because of it but I'm done pretending. Wish me luck. 🙏🏻