Category Archives: leadership

A genuine change must first come from within the individual, only then can he or she attempt to make a significant contribution to humanity.

Posted on 23 September 2012 by philosiblog

A genuine change must first come from within the individual, only then can he or she attempt to make a significant contribution to humanity. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Change. One can command others to do it, but that won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in effort, help, inspire, leadership, self improvement, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.

Posted on 17 August 2012 by philosiblog

Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you. – Cynthia Kersey also listed as Oscar Wilde What does that mean? This is one approach to the age old question of … Continue reading →

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Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

Posted on 15 August 2012 by philosiblog

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is another great Stoic quote. It starts out by admitting that there are things that are outside of … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, calm, dignity, inspire, leadership, relaxation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

Posted on 11 August 2012 by philosiblog

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This quote a condensed version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, tailored to match the ruthlessness … Continue reading →

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Fortune sides with him who dares.

Posted on 25 July 2012 by philosiblog

Fortune sides with him who dares. – Virgil What does that mean? This is definitely not a quote for the timid. This is about taking charge of your future, it’s about making things happen, it’s about getting things done. Think … Continue reading →

Posted in action, caution, confidence, decision, leadership, plan | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A return to first principles in a Republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man.

Posted on 14 July 2012 by philosiblog

 A return to first principles in a Republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? The more complete version of the quote is “A return to first principles in a Republic is … Continue reading →

Posted in character, decision, governance, leadership, setting an example, virtue | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.

Posted on 30 June 2012 by philosiblog

The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is the classic “pull off the bandage” issue. Do you pull it … Continue reading →

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It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law.

Posted on 5 April 2012 by philosiblog

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law. – Thomas Hobbes What does that mean? Think about that for a moment. It would be nice if wisdom wrote the law, wouldn’t it? How many of you can think … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, contribution, governance, leadership, service, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

Posted on 31 March 2012 by philosiblog

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This one got a chuckle out of me, as I have been on both sides of this quote. If you are expecting someone to … Continue reading →

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When neither their property nor their honor is touched the marjority of men live content.

Posted on 3 March 2012 by philosiblog

When neither their property nor their honor is touched the majority of men live content. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another Twitter-friendly quote excerpt : “It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and … Continue reading →

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The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.

Posted on 27 February 2012 by philosiblog

The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow. – Marian Anderson What does that mean? This quote is about influence, and the courage to use … Continue reading →

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Only the gentle are ever really strong.

Posted on 8 February 2012 by philosiblog

Only the gentle are ever really strong. – James Dean What does that mean? This quote is interesting in that it is an apparent contradiction on it’s face. Generally, the strong, manly types are (stereotypically) the exact opposite of gentle. In Hollywood, they often go to great … Continue reading →

Posted in calm, emotion, gentle, leadership, setting an example, strength | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

Posted on 27 January 2012 by philosiblog

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. – John Quincy Adams What does that mean? Many people have a very narrow definition of what leadership is. In this … Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, doing, dream, education, imagination, leadership | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt

Posted on 24 December 2011 by philosiblog

There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? Without going deep into the history of the Italian Renaissance City State era, the quote … Continue reading →

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The problem with the world is that we draw our family circle too small

Posted on 21 December 2011 by philosiblog

The problem with the world is that we draw our family circle too small. – Mother Teresa What does that mean? To me, the quote is telling us that we treat people in different manners depending on the label we … Continue reading →

Posted in altruism, forgiveness, friendship, kindness, leadership, tolerance | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment