Category Archives: adaptation

Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.

Posted on 20 March 2014 by philosiblog

Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own. – Bruce Lee What does that mean? The first part of this quote is fairly straight forward. It is part of what learning is all about. … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, creativity, good, individuality, originality, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

Posted on 21 January 2014 by philosiblog

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. – Confucius What does that mean? To reuse words from the quote, this is about the only constant in life, and that is change. Everything around us is … Continue reading →

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The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it.

Posted on 7 January 2014 by philosiblog

The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it. – Arthur Schopenhauer What does that mean? As I am past that point of inflection, I find this quote fascinating. Personally, I might … Continue reading →

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I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them.

Posted on 27 May 2013 by philosiblog

I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, nor to hate them, but to understand them. – Baruch Spinoza What does that mean? I like this quote, and have tried to live by it even … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, improve, judgement, laughter, understanding, value | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.

Posted on 29 April 2013 by philosiblog

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. – Latin Proverb What does that mean? This quote is another really simple way of reminding us that it is wise to have a PlanB ready, just in case the … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, creativity, effort, flexibility, innovation, persistence | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

Posted on 21 December 2012 by philosiblog

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. – Pablo Picasso What does that mean? Well, that makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? If you don’t know how to do something … Continue reading →

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If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn’t need to have the rest of the universities attached.

Posted on 13 September 2012 by philosiblog

If written directions alone would suffice, libraries wouldn’t need to have the rest of the universities attached. – Judith Martin What does that mean? Despite all the hype and celebration of the internet as a method to learn, reading alone isn’t … Continue reading →

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Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist…

Posted on 25 August 2012 by philosiblog

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist… – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a Twitter friendly shortening of a fairly long quote: “Many have dreamed up republics and principalities … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, flexibility, ideals, judgement, limits, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Adversity is just change that we haven’t adapted ourselves to yet.

Posted on 20 August 2012 by philosiblog

Adversity is just change that we haven’t adapted ourselves to yet. – Aimee Mullins What does that mean? Adversity is defined at TheFreeDictionary as “A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune.” In the case of the author of today’s quote, it … Continue reading →

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Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.

Posted on 15 August 2012 by philosiblog

Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is another great Stoic quote. It starts out by admitting that there are things that are outside of … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, calm, dignity, inspire, leadership, relaxation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.

Posted on 20 April 2012 by philosiblog

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. – Carl Jung What does that mean? Let’s face facts. One size most emphatically does not fit all! I’ve known that my … Continue reading →

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The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.

Posted on 4 February 2012 by philosiblog

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a polite way of saying that old people rule! Seriously, it is a call to … Continue reading →

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

Posted on 28 January 2012 by philosiblog

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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Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.

Posted on 12 November 2011 by philosiblog

Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? What this quote says to me is that things are always changing, that nothing stays the same. If you wish to enjoy continued success, … Continue reading →

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Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach

Posted on 28 October 2011 by philosiblog

Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. – Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? To me, it means that once you have made a decision, you’ve cut yourself off from other possibilities. You are also committed … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, courage, flexibility, intelligence, optimism, perseverance | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments