Category Archives: question

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? While this appears to be an interesting German to English translation, the core of the quote … Continue reading

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Beware of the person of one book.

Beware of the person of one book. – Thomas Aquinas What does that mean? These words have been used in many different ways, from a warning regarding the narrow nature of such a person (ie not broadly educated). But in … Continue reading

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Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions.

Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions. – Tony Robbins What does that mean? Everybody has problems. That’s a fact. Some problems are tougher than others, others are easy. Some are worse to have, and some … Continue reading

Posted in action, effort, examine, power, question | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

If you wish to be a writer, write.

If you wish to be a writer, write. – Epictetus What does that mean? While it is usually hard to find these quotes, I have managed to find a precise source for this quote of Epictetus. It is in his … Continue reading

Posted in action, learning, motivation, personal growth, question, repetition | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? This, like most ancient proverbs, was difficult to source, but quite … Continue reading

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Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.

Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth. – Cicero What does that mean? This quote is an alternate translation of “Natura inest mentibus nostris insatiabilis quædam cupiditas veri videndi.” in Latin, or in English: … Continue reading

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There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living.

There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger paper, in which he is describing the difficulties in being too busy to breathe and … Continue reading

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The proud peacock of today may be only a feather duster tomorrow.

The proud peacock of today may be only a feather duster tomorrow. – Rick Barnes (also attributed to E. P. Atkins) What does that mean? This quote seems to have been around for quite some time, but the theme remains … Continue reading

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I am not ashamed to confess that I am ignorant of what I do not know.

I am not ashamed to confess that I am ignorant of what I do not know. – Cicero What does that mean? I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Someone brings up an interesting fact, and someone else is quick to … Continue reading

Posted in advice, improve, knowledge, learning, question, shame | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

No man was ever wise by chance.

No man was ever wise by chance. – Seneca What does that mean? Another brutally short and compact quote. I guess he expected people would have to chisel it into stone or something. But seriously, I always like a quote … Continue reading

Posted in belief, contemplation, learning, question, thinking, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

If you want change, create the causes.

If you want change, create the causes. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This is another of those ‘Doh!’ kind of quotes. It is so simple and so obvious, you wonder why you didn’t think of it first. But that makes … Continue reading

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Fear that makes us run from a mad dog is useful and necessary, whereas fear rooted in mistrust is unhelpful and needs to be overcome.

Fear that makes us run from a mad dog is useful and necessary, whereas fear rooted in mistrust is unhelpful and needs to be overcome. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This is an interesting quote about fear. It differentiates … Continue reading

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Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw What does that mean? This quote is about the one certain thing in life; change. Change will happen. The question is … Continue reading

Posted in belief, common sense, discovery, education, learning, question | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

I’m optimistic that there is a growing appetite for peace in the world. Many young people are fed up with war and violence.

I’m optimistic that there is a growing appetite for peace in the world. Many young people are fed up with war and violence. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? There have always been people against war. There have always been people … Continue reading

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Murals in restaurants are on a par with the food in museums.

Murals in restaurants are on a par with the food in museums. – Peter De Vries What does that mean? This is a quote with a dry sense of humor, which is something I like quite a bit. Many restaurants have … Continue reading

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