Monthly Archives: January 2012

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. – Jackie Robinson What does that mean? It can be kind of hard to admit, but with over 6 Billion other humans on the planet, we’re not all that significant in the overall scheme of things. To me, that … Continue reading

Posted in altruism, compassion, friendship, humanitarianism, service, sharing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something.

Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt What does that mean? I like this quote, as it talks about human learning. We get an idea in our head, and we think about how we might accomplish … Continue reading

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It is important that when pursing our own self-interest we should be “wise selfish” and not “foolish selfish”

It is important that when pursing our own self-interest we should be “wise selfish” and not “foolish selfish”. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This is another Twitter-friendly shortened quote. The full quote is: It is important that when pursing … Continue reading

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It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? Think about it for a moment. When you are given a title or an award, is that thing honoring you? Or would it … Continue reading

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

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

Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.

Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul. – Douglas MacArthur What does that mean? This was another neat quote. I think it is a bit odd, but makes it’s point quite well. It’s also not the most appealing analogy … Continue reading

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Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by his heart, and his friends can only read the title.

Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by his heart, and his friends can only read the title. – Virginia Woolf What does that mean? To me, this quote speaks of the differences between our private lives and our public lives, those things we express and … Continue reading

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You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life

You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. – Winston Churchill What does that mean? This quote is about enemies, and one of the ways you accumulate them. Specifically, this quote talks about getting enemies … Continue reading

Posted in belief, courage, ideals, listening, passion, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

Things are never so bad they can’t be made worse

Things are never so bad they can’t be made worse. – Humphrey Bogart What does that mean? This quote is listed as being from the motion picture “The African Queen,” where he is the Captain of an ill-fated little steamer. Without going into the details, his ship gets banged up, … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, choice, emotion, observation, pride, risk | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The key to human happiness lies within our own state of mind, and so too do the primary obstacles to that happiness

The key to human happiness lies within our own state of mind, and so too do the primary obstacles to that happiness. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote says it’s all in your mind. To be happy, or to … Continue reading

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Men almost always walk in paths beaten by others and act by imitation

Men almost always walk in paths beaten by others and act by imitation. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a Twitter friendly version of the full quote. However, I believe that it stands well on it’s own, and it … Continue reading

Posted in choice, creativity, friendship, habits, individuality, self-image | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there

You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there. – George Burns What does that mean? This is another light-hearted quote, in honor of George Burns’ … Continue reading

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If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered

If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered. – Edgar Allan Poe What does that mean? I literally laughed out loud when I saw this one. It is amazing, and … Continue reading

Posted in discipline, focus, goals, plan, procrastination, time | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. A. A. Milne

Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. (Christopher Robbin to Pooh) – A. A. Milne What does that mean? This quote, being spoken by a fictional character, might … Continue reading

Posted in advice, belief, potential, strength, thinking, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is

Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is. – German proverb What does that mean? To me, this quote is reminding us that our emotions are powerful, and can be used to help us or to hurt us. A wolf … Continue reading

Posted in caution, courage, decision, fear, reflection, risk | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments