Category Archives: accomplishment

Only the educated are free.

Only the educated are free – Epictetus What does that mean? This is an interesting quote from a person born a slave and with the permission of his owner, studied philosophy and became quite good at it. Back then, slaves … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, curious, education, freedom, learning, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Only the educated are free.

A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.

A fall into a ditch makes you wiser. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? At first you don’t know what a ditch is. Then you fall in. Now you know. You are now wiser, and know to avoid falling … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, failure, learning, perseverance, success, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.

To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? To me, and my understanding of Stoicism, a closer translation of problem might well be puzzle or challenge. Stoics take the … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, examine, foolish, opportunity, personal growth, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.

And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.

And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared. – Homer What does that mean? This quote is spoken to the son of Odysseus (Ulysses) by Athena (Minerva) in the guise of an old and trusted friend, as the son considered … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, courage, doing, habits, inspire, motivation | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fortune gives us nothing which we can really own.

Fortune gives us nothing which we can really own. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote makes me wonder what we really own. According to the quote, nothing gained from fortune (luck) is really ours to own. That makes … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, action, character, focus, integrity, money | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.

Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve. – Wilfred Peterson What does that mean? Success is defined differently for each of us. Yet however we each define it, … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, desire, focus, goals, power, success | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.

The human race is governed by its imagination.

The human race is governed by its imagination. – Napoleon What does that mean? I can’t imagine what he could possibly have meant. Well, sarcasm aside, the human imagination is responsible for almost everything we have. Someone had to imagine … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, dream, emotion, governance, imagination, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The human race is governed by its imagination.

If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be.

If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote has … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, effort, learning, strength, struggle, victory | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be.

No matter what our motivation may be, if we are not realistic we will not fulfill our goal.

No matter what our motivation may be, if we are not realistic we will not fulfill our goal. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Ah, the age old battle between reality and idealism. We all want something, and much of … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, calm, goals, ideals, motivation, passion | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. – Calvin Coolidge What does that mean? This, as is frequently the case, is a Twitter-friendly excerpt. The more complete quote is as follows: “Nothing in the world can take … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, curious, education, genius, persistence, talent | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself.

Pride is pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself. – Baruch Spinoza What does that mean? I have heard many definitions of the less-useful version of pride before, but I believe this one is about as short and sweet … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, emotion, humility, pride, reflection, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Pride is pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself.

We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.

We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. – Selena Quintanilla Perez and Chuck Palahniuk What does that mean? This quote is often credited to Selena, who died before Chuck wrote his … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, friendship, help, inspire, perspective, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.

Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world. – Nelson Mandela and Joel A. Barker What does that mean? This quote apparently has some dispute regarding … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, action, dream, help, plan, vision | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.

Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful. – John Wooden What does that mean? This is a caution against ego, from a coach who knew a few players who had one. It … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, confidence, gratitude, habits, humility, pride | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.

We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained. – Marie Curie What does that mean? This is another quote which has been abbreviated due to the constraints of Twitter. A more complete version … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, belief, contribution, exceptionalism, perseverance, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments