Monthly Archives: July 2013

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What does that mean? Let’s see a show of hands, how many of you know what you have to do, and are … Continue reading

Posted in action, doing, knowledge, observation, obstacles, plan | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

There is no remedy for love but to love more. – Henry David Thoreau What does that mean? This quote is about love. Deep and intense, possibly even romantic. While some might hide from love after a loss, this quote … Continue reading

Posted in courage, friendship, hope, love, self-esteem, sympathy | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends.

It is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? People try all different ways to attract friends. The desire to be admired is strong within us all. This is … Continue reading

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There is no person so severely punished, as those who subject themselves to the whip of their own remorse.

There is no person so severely punished, as those who subject themselves to the whip of their own remorse. – Seneca What does that mean? The first thing to acknowledge with this quote is that there are people to whom this … Continue reading

Posted in conscience, decision, ideals, opposition, reflection, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.

To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing. – Elbert Hubbard often misattributed to Aristotle What does that mean? This quote is often misattributed to Aristotle, but is actually by writer Elbert Hubbard, from his book “John North Willys” : … Continue reading

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If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.

If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree. – Jim Rohn What does that mean? To me, this quote is about action. It reminds us that we can stand there and do nothing, or we can … Continue reading

Posted in action, choice, decision, emotion, judgement, personal growth, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.

A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation. – Mark Twain What does that mean? While this quote shows up on many quote sites, I couldn’t find a definitive source for the quote, so it’s … Continue reading

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The harvest of old age is the recollection and abundance of blessing previously secured.

The harvest of old age is the recollection and abundance of blessing previously secured. – Cicero What does that mean? This is another saying based on the concepts of agriculture. Harvesting is what you do at the end of the season, … Continue reading

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If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.

If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it. – John Irving What does that mean? We each have this life of ours to live. We have the … Continue reading

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Serving and helping others out of compassion is non-violence in action.

Serving and helping others out of compassion is non-violence in action. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote defines non-violence in terms of compassion. Non-violence includes a lack of aggression and a lack of ill will. It precludes deliberate … Continue reading

Posted in action, compassion, decision, help, reflection, service | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A man’s as miserable as he thinks he is.

A man’s as miserable as he thinks he is. – Seneca What does that mean? To me, this is a statement of our relative condition. Someone from the very cold regions of the planet might be miserable at the equator, … Continue reading

Posted in decision, emotion, happiness, limits, obstacles, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.

Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular. – Tony Robbins What does that mean? This is the longer version of the quote: “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is … Continue reading

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It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well.

It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well. – René Descartes What does that mean? This is a quote from the same guy who said that because he thought, he was (that he … Continue reading

Posted in education, intelligence, personal growth, question, self improvement, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you. – Oscar Wilde What does that mean? This quote is a variant on an ancient Mongolian Proverb: “A Man About To Tell The Truth Should Keep One … Continue reading

Posted in anger, emotion, help, humor, laughter, truth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him. – John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn What does that mean? This quote is about debates and how they appear to end. There are many reasons one might be silent … Continue reading

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