Category Archives: question

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. – David Hume What does that mean? This is a quote about small steps. Excepting the violent overthrow of a government, the erosion of liberty tends to … Continue reading

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I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific. – Lily Tomlin What does that mean? As this is a quote from a comedienne, you expect it to be funny. However, there is, as with … Continue reading

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Sunshine all the time makes a desert.

Sunshine all the time makes a desert. – Arab Proverb What does that mean? This is a fairly straight forward quote. If all you have is sunshine, you’re going to have problems with plants life. Water, in the form of … Continue reading

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Warm-heartedness reinforces our self-confidence – giving us not a blind confidence, but a sense of confidence based on reason.

Warm-heartedness reinforces our self-confidence – giving us not a blind confidence, but a sense of confidence based on reason.– Dalai Lama What does that mean? Warm-heartedness, to me, is a form of self-confidence. It is a statement of having a trust … Continue reading

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Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition. – Adam Smith What does that mean? For me, this quote speaks of science and it’s role in helping keep humanity sane. Before science was established as a proper … Continue reading

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The examined life is no picnic.

The examined life is no picnic. – Robert Fulghum What does that mean? This gem is from his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kinder-garten and is the payoff line for a paragraph long discussion about the difficulties … Continue reading

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A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This appears to be another non-quote, as I cannot source it from any of the more reputable … Continue reading

Posted in discovery, honest, loyalty, question, sharing, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.

It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question. – Eugène Ionesco What does that mean? This is an interesting quote in that it turns a few things around from the usual way we think of them. The quote says … Continue reading

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When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, stated by Sherlock Holmes What does that mean? To me, this is all about logic. If you start with everything you … Continue reading

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A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. – William James What does that mean? At theFreeDictionary.com, prejudice is defined as “An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination … Continue reading

Posted in belief, discovery, question, skepticism, thinking, truth | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Having a more compassionate attitude helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings.

Having a more compassionate attitude helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? How well do people without compassion communicate? They’re in editorial cartoons all the time, failing badly at communicating with others. … Continue reading

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The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.

The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? Here, the word ‘vulgar’ is used to imply a lack of refinement and sophistication in the people making up … Continue reading

Posted in caution, honest, judgement, patience, question, skepticism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

I don’t need a man to rectify my existence. The most profound relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves.

I don’t need anyone to rectify my existence. The most profound relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves. – Shirley MacLaine What does that mean? This was the original quote before it was ret-coned into a more politically … Continue reading

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We often talk about moral values, justice and trust, but the important thing is to put them into effect in our everyday lives.

We often talk about moral values, justice and trust, but the important thing is to put them into effect in our everyday lives. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote, to me, is another of the ‘actions speak louder than … Continue reading

Posted in belief, growth, ideals, question, setting an example, value | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions.

Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? In this statement to the Princes of Renaissance Italy, the point is that … Continue reading

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