Monthly Archives: December 2011

Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul

Make no small plans for they have no power to stir the soul. – Niccolò Machiavelli Also attributed (in slightly different words) to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What does that mean? Which is more inspiring, putting a man on the moon, or … Continue reading

Posted in action, emotion, goals, motivation, plan, power | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Time to maximize what matters most to you. For most people…. Killing time is not murder, it’s suicide!

Time to maximize what matters most to you. For most people….”Killing time is not murder, it’s suicide!” Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? This is a quote I like, even though it’s obviously shortened. It starts by emphasizing that you need … Continue reading

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Knowledge which is divorced from justice, may be called cunning rather than wisdom

Knowledge which is divorced from justice, may be called cunning rather than wisdom. – Cicero What does that mean? In this quote, I believe he is talking about the fact that knowledge doesn’t have morals built into it. Fire can … Continue reading

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To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say

To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say. – Descartes What does that mean? This quote reminds us that people will say things that they think you want to hear, or … Continue reading

Posted in action, common sense, integrity, observation, setting an example, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently

A thing is not necessarily true because badly uttered, nor false because spoken magnificently. – Saint Augustine What does that mean? Think about that, about how those who lie easily and smoothly use their ability to speak to deceive us. They … Continue reading

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It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time. – Winston Churchill What does that mean? I have also seen this quote written as “It … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, flexibility, goals, motivation, plan, self improvement | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give.

Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? In this season we are reminded how much better it is to give than to receive. While the … Continue reading

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

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 quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty that you can comfortably live with.

The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the amount of uncertainty that you can comfortably live with. – Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? I think that this is an interesting quote. It links the quality of your … Continue reading

Posted in contentment, humor, perspective, relaxation, risk, tolerance | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future

Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. – Oscar Wilde What does that mean? This quote states that everyone who has been declared a Saint was, at one time, something less than saintly. This is a word … Continue reading

Posted in character, doing, improve, integrity, self resepct, virtue | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

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

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

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice. – William James What does that mean? To quote the rock band Rush, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made … Continue reading

Posted in choice, decision, freedom, intelligence, question, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy

The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy. – Kalu Kalu (unable to find Bio info – anyone?) What does that mean? This quote talks … Continue reading

Posted in altruism, compassion, giving, humanitarianism, kindness, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote lauds those who can conquer their inner demons of anger and hatred. In doing so, the quote says that it is … Continue reading

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Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer

Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a twitter-friendly excerpt  from a larger quote: “All courses of action are risky, … Continue reading

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