Tom Morris
@tomvmorris.bsky.social
Public philosopher. Author 30+ books. Public speaker. Morehead-Cain Scholar, UNC. Yale PhDs, Philosophy and Religious Studies. Married. Father. Grandfather. Bad guitar player. Really bad. Love dogs, cats, and wild rabbits. www.TomVMorris.com.
I'm in the middle of several long term projects that are vastly more difficult than I had anticipated, and an inner voice spoke:
"You weren't born so that some easy stuff could get done."
I think that's true. For me, and I suspect, for you. Let's keep that in mind during these times, Okay?
"You weren't born so that some easy stuff could get done."
I think that's true. For me, and I suspect, for you. Let's keep that in mind during these times, Okay?
October 2, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I'm in the middle of several long term projects that are vastly more difficult than I had anticipated, and an inner voice spoke:
"You weren't born so that some easy stuff could get done."
I think that's true. For me, and I suspect, for you. Let's keep that in mind during these times, Okay?
"You weren't born so that some easy stuff could get done."
I think that's true. For me, and I suspect, for you. Let's keep that in mind during these times, Okay?
One of my favorite phrases ever, that I heard at a weekend confab not long ago, as applied to certain contemporary American politicians, was the phrase: "Spherical Bastards." The explanation was: "They're bastards, no matter how you look at them.
September 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
One of my favorite phrases ever, that I heard at a weekend confab not long ago, as applied to certain contemporary American politicians, was the phrase: "Spherical Bastards." The explanation was: "They're bastards, no matter how you look at them.
Spoke to Blue Cross Blue Shield SC top 175 execs yesterday on The Power of Partnership using Aristotle, Homer, Hesiod, Hierocles. R Congressman Trey Gowdy did a super talk on race and the importance of trying to understand each other across our divides that a D like me could love. Great people.
May 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Spoke to Blue Cross Blue Shield SC top 175 execs yesterday on The Power of Partnership using Aristotle, Homer, Hesiod, Hierocles. R Congressman Trey Gowdy did a super talk on race and the importance of trying to understand each other across our divides that a D like me could love. Great people.
"There is no arguing with the pretenders to a divine knowledge and to a divine mission. They are possessed with the sin of pride, they have yielded to the temptation. This is the sovereign evil against which the traditions of civility are arrayed."
- The Public Philosophy, Walter Lippman (1955), 85.
- The Public Philosophy, Walter Lippman (1955), 85.
May 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
"There is no arguing with the pretenders to a divine knowledge and to a divine mission. They are possessed with the sin of pride, they have yielded to the temptation. This is the sovereign evil against which the traditions of civility are arrayed."
- The Public Philosophy, Walter Lippman (1955), 85.
- The Public Philosophy, Walter Lippman (1955), 85.
From back when almost nobody was interested in the Stoics, written more than a quarter of a century ago. Some people tell me it’s their favorite of my books. It’s certainly the least known of all my non academic works and was a transformative joy to write.
May 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
From back when almost nobody was interested in the Stoics, written more than a quarter of a century ago. Some people tell me it’s their favorite of my books. It’s certainly the least known of all my non academic works and was a transformative joy to write.
Two yellow flowers among thousands seen on my walk. You don’t have to be big to stand out, get positive attention, and be memorable. Just shine out with the best of what’s within you. And then others will carry you in their hearts and phones.
May 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Two yellow flowers among thousands seen on my walk. You don’t have to be big to stand out, get positive attention, and be memorable. Just shine out with the best of what’s within you. And then others will carry you in their hearts and phones.
Whenever it's been suggested to me that I do a reality tv show based on being a philosopher, I reply that they could just take a still photo of me at my desk and televise it for half an hour and that would be the show. I can't imagine any ratings.
May 5, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Whenever it's been suggested to me that I do a reality tv show based on being a philosopher, I reply that they could just take a still photo of me at my desk and televise it for half an hour and that would be the show. I can't imagine any ratings.
Above the chair I’ve been sitting in to read almost all day. In the bedroom. I need to be surrounded by art and beauty to do my best work. The aesthetic inspires me, even during the hardest work.
May 5, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Above the chair I’ve been sitting in to read almost all day. In the bedroom. I need to be surrounded by art and beauty to do my best work. The aesthetic inspires me, even during the hardest work.
Seen in CLT. And I get the name. But the oldest epic poem we have is about a leader who is terrible because this phrase describes him. Does this sound like anyone in the news a lot now? That’s always the consequence of this phrase, applied literally. So let’s seek to respect our proper boundaries.
May 2, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Seen in CLT. And I get the name. But the oldest epic poem we have is about a leader who is terrible because this phrase describes him. Does this sound like anyone in the news a lot now? That’s always the consequence of this phrase, applied literally. So let’s seek to respect our proper boundaries.
We Philosophers do love columns. On my birthday walk.
April 14, 2025 at 12:18 AM
We Philosophers do love columns. On my birthday walk.
The rumpled philosopher has a final chat with wisdom weekend retreaters, Neharika Kodali and Maria Kwamboka before he signs a few books with great gratitude and begins to consider all he’s learned from the astonishing conversations throughout the weekend.
April 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The rumpled philosopher has a final chat with wisdom weekend retreaters, Neharika Kodali and Maria Kwamboka before he signs a few books with great gratitude and begins to consider all he’s learned from the astonishing conversations throughout the weekend.
I’ll hop into a philosophical conversation any time I can. A chat in nature and about nature is particularly ribbeting.
April 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I’ll hop into a philosophical conversation any time I can. A chat in nature and about nature is particularly ribbeting.
The third amazing Wisdom Weekend Retreat of the year, our April cohort picture with the beautiful beach and sparkling ocean outside the window. Such great conversations and discussions in sharing insights about how we best understand and navigate the many uncertainties of our lives! Come join me!
April 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The third amazing Wisdom Weekend Retreat of the year, our April cohort picture with the beautiful beach and sparkling ocean outside the window. Such great conversations and discussions in sharing insights about how we best understand and navigate the many uncertainties of our lives! Come join me!
Wisdom Weekend Retreaters discussing uncertainty and a new notion of comfort zones. Real time posting.
April 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Wisdom Weekend Retreaters discussing uncertainty and a new notion of comfort zones. Real time posting.
I discovered airelie gardens today near my home and our wisdom weekend retreat hotel. Natural beauty to soothe and inspire the soul.
April 2, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I discovered airelie gardens today near my home and our wisdom weekend retreat hotel. Natural beauty to soothe and inspire the soul.
My wisdom weekend retreat beach today, perfect temp, ideal light breeze for a 40 minute walk. Come philosophize with me!
April 2, 2025 at 1:42 AM
My wisdom weekend retreat beach today, perfect temp, ideal light breeze for a 40 minute walk. Come philosophize with me!
In the yard, not in a flower bed, but looking her best, doing her best, and inspiring me all day.
April 2, 2025 at 1:40 AM
In the yard, not in a flower bed, but looking her best, doing her best, and inspiring me all day.
Spring, y’all. A time of new beginnings. A season for restarts. A time for stern calls to your senators and representatives. And then time outside to just be.
March 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Spring, y’all. A time of new beginnings. A season for restarts. A time for stern calls to your senators and representatives. And then time outside to just be.
On the car in front of me.
March 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
On the car in front of me.
I happened to visit the website of one of my favorite private universities, Tulsa University, tonight, and look what I saw in a huge photo across the page! Here I am doing philosophy for their top leadership students! True Success! I go back late in April for another topic and more great fun!
March 29, 2025 at 1:17 AM
I happened to visit the website of one of my favorite private universities, Tulsa University, tonight, and look what I saw in a huge photo across the page! Here I am doing philosophy for their top leadership students! True Success! I go back late in April for another topic and more great fun!
Stimulation, protection, and a Diet Coke at the Charlotte Airport awaiting the imminent landing of an Impossible Burger. One impossible thing per day. That’s my intent.
March 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Stimulation, protection, and a Diet Coke at the Charlotte Airport awaiting the imminent landing of an Impossible Burger. One impossible thing per day. That’s my intent.
Big day for leadership philosophy at Purdue! With Brad Alge, the great head of the Larsen Leadership Academy.
March 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Big day for leadership philosophy at Purdue! With Brad Alge, the great head of the Larsen Leadership Academy.
Don’t be an unlit candle. We all need your light now.
March 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Don’t be an unlit candle. We all need your light now.