The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. – William James What does that mean? What do we do with our lives? Yes, we eat and work and sleep and play, but when it is all said and done, what do we leave behind? To me, this is…
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 be more appropriate to say that you were honoring the title or award with your…
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 by taking a stand for something. Standing for something tends to annoy those who stand…
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal. – Aristotle What does that mean? For those who never had two or more dogs, this might not make much sense. But if you ever had more than one dog at the same time, you know that there is no such thing…
It is my hope that the twenty-first century will be a century when a more caring, responsible, and compassionate humanity will emerge. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? As we start a New Year, it’s a great time to renew our callings as humans. While the 21st century is over 1/10th of the way through,…
None are more taken in by flattery than the proud, who wish to be the first and are not. – Baruch Spinoza What does that mean? This quote talks about flattery and why it works better on some people than on others. Those most easily influenced by flattery, the quote says, are the proud. Their pride really…
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice. ~ Confucius What does that mean? To me, this quote sounds a little clunky. I presume it has to do with how and when it was translated. I would reword it to say “To see and know what the correct thing to do is…
All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened. – Maya Angelou What does that mean? Maya was part of the American Civil Rights movement, and that may help cast some light on what is being said in this quote. I was unable to find if this was in reference to the people…
Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and importance, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction. – Margaret Thatcher What does that mean? To my ears, there is an “of” missing before “importance,” so I believe the quote should have read”: “Disciplining yourself to do what you know is…
Beauty is a short-lived tyranny. – Socrates What does that mean? In the age of Botox and plastic surgery, Beauty can be a much longer-lived tyranny than Socrates first believed. 8) This saying is particularly interesting to me, as I believe this had different meanings to Men and Women. To Men, I believe the tyranny…
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. – Thomas Jefferson What does that mean? To me, it speaks of the losses of war. In a war, no one wins, one side just lose less. That said, there are reasons to go to…
