LogFAQs > #903951650

Joelypoely posted...

Yes he means it both literally and metaphorically. It's essentially the Stoic message of fix the things within your control rather than worry about things which lie largely outside your control. What Peterson adds to this is the idea/belief that if you want to make significant changes to society or 'the system' you are apparently not justified in making decisions which affect the fate of thousands of people if you haven't 'cleaned your room' (have your personal life together) first. It's an interesting idea (and probably useful?) which I guess I agree with.

I suppose a good metaphor here is like, you can't clear a path by clearing the brush 100 yards away before you clear the brush immediately in front of you first.