Category Archives: contemplation

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

Posted on 2 May 2016 by philosiblog

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience. – William James What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger discussion of the way we make decisions and determine what we think … Continue reading →

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I cannot tell you that I lose nothing, but whatever I do lose I can tell you how and why the loss occurred.

Posted on 20 June 2014 by philosiblog

I cannot tell you that I lose nothing, but whatever I do lose I can tell you how and why the loss occurred. – Seneca What does that mean? In the original text, he is moving between discussing the value … Continue reading →

Posted in action, contemplation, decision, plan, thinking, time | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join?

Posted on 30 May 2014 by philosiblog

Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join? – Seneca What does that mean? In the letter from which this quote is taken, Seneca is discussing the difference between Stoics and others when it comes to defining … Continue reading →

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No man was ever wise by chance.

Posted on 18 January 2014 by philosiblog

No man was ever wise by chance. – Seneca What does that mean? Another brutally short and compact quote. I guess he expected people would have to chisel it into stone or something. But seriously, I always like a quote … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, contemplation, learning, question, thinking, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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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“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”

Posted on 1 January 2014 by philosiblog

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns What does that mean? This is a line from an old Scottish poem and song. It is a traditional ‘ending’ song, asking the rhetorical question “what if we forgot … Continue reading →

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Consider, when you are enraged at any one, what you would probably think if he should die during the dispute.

Posted on 5 October 2013 by philosiblog

Consider, when you are enraged at any one, what you would probably think if he should die during the dispute. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is about how mad a person should, or should not, become. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, compassion, contemplation, emotion, judgement, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A window stuck open is just as bad as a window stuck shut. Either way, you’ve lost its use. Ditto for a mind.

Posted on 1 May 2013 by philosiblog

A window stuck open is just as bad as a window stuck shut. Either way, you’ve lost its use. Ditto for a mind. – Dr Tayo Adeyemi What does that mean? A window that is stuck open isn’t so much a window … Continue reading →

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Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment.

Posted on 14 April 2013 by philosiblog

Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment. – Seneca What does that mean? In short, this quote is saying that humans are basically lazy. That is simply the baseline for the human condition. Some are more so than others, … Continue reading →

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Hatred, in the course of time, kills the unhappy wretch who delights in nursing it in his bosom.

Posted on 2 April 2013 by philosiblog

Hatred, in the course of time, kills the unhappy wretch who delights in nursing it in his bosom. – Giacomo Casanova What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, and it is about the end result of a lifetime of … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, contemplation, forgiveness, hope, question, time | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Posted on 19 March 2013 by philosiblog

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves. – Confucius What does that mean? This is an interesting quote about trying to master yourself by interaction with other people. It is the second half … Continue reading →

Posted in action, belief, contemplation, discovery, inspire, personal growth, question, reflection, weakness | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

We must exchange the philosophy of excuse, what I am is beyond my control, for the philosophy of responsibility.

Posted on 21 February 2013 by philosiblog

We must exchange the philosophy of excuse, what I am is beyond my control, for the philosophy of responsibility. – Barbara Jordan What does that mean? This is a fairly straight-forward quote. It urges us to quit making excuses. There is always … Continue reading →

Posted in contemplation, failure, habits, individuality, motivation, pride | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Posted on 17 January 2013 by philosiblog

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin What does that mean? As is often the case on Twitter, there is a longer version of this quote available: “If a man empties his purse into his head … Continue reading →

Posted in contemplation, education, independence, knowledge, money, value | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The best way of fulfilling your own interest is to take care of others.

Posted on 16 December 2012 by philosiblog

The best way of fulfilling your own interest is to take care of others. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? I suppose this quote depends on how you define your own interests. Yes, there are things in which you are … Continue reading →

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It would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82.

Posted on 6 December 2012 by philosiblog

It would have been great to be able to understand myself when I was 20 rather than when I was 82. – Dave Brubeck What does that mean? Once again, we have a nice, short, Twitter-friendly quote with which to work. … Continue reading →

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