Category Archives: fear

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? While this appears to be an interesting German to English translation, the core of the quote … Continue reading

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Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions.

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions. – Hafez of Persia What does that mean? While the English versions of Hafez’s verses are often considered more an approximation than a … Continue reading

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Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself.

Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? The world is a big place. There are many things to do, and many places to visit. But what if you don’t … Continue reading

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Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. – Swedish Proverb What does that mean? This quote is, in case you hadn’t figured it out yet, about worry and the troubles which can come from it. It is one … Continue reading

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There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now.

There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. – Hugh Laurie What does that mean? This is a very short version of a longer (but still abbreviated) quote: “It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life … Continue reading

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There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.

There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope. – Spinoza What does that mean? To me, this quote describes the simple duality of the future. Hope and fear, they are the two sides of the … Continue reading

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You can outlast those who are lucky and out-work those who are lazy.

You can outlast those who are lucky and out-work those who are lazy. – Jeff Goins What does that mean? This quote talks briefly about the two primary ways to get ahead in life. You can work hard, or you … Continue reading

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No man can swim ashore and take his baggage with him.

No man can swim ashore and take his baggage with him. – Seneca What does that mean? While this quote has a slightly different meaning in the context of the letter to Lucilius, the basic topic was the of the … Continue reading

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Life is a succession of crises and moments when we have to rediscover who we are and what we really want.

Life is a succession of crises and moments when we have to rediscover who we are and what we really want. – Jean Vanier What does that mean? This is an interesting quote to consider for a control freak. You … Continue reading

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It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age.

It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age. – Seneca What does that mean? This is another quote shortened for use on … Continue reading

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Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? This is similar to a quote attributed to Confucius, where perseverance is stressed. That quote is about remembering that you need … Continue reading

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One thing that I don’t think my critics realize about me is that I’ve been trained to look adversity in the face.

One thing that I don’t think my critics realize about me is that I’ve been trained to look adversity in the face. – Reggie White What does that mean? I like this quote, and I also like the person who … Continue reading

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. – Seneca What does that mean? At best, this quote is a very loose translation of him quoting something said by someone else. However, despite its questionable pedigree,  I believe this is … Continue reading

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Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. – Martin Luther King What does that mean? This is a great quote from a great man. It has three parts, each … Continue reading

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A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.

A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided. – Tony Robbins What does that mean? This is a quote I first heard years ago, and it … Continue reading

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