Category Archives: intelligence

He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

Posted on 1 September 2015 by philosiblog

He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? This, like most ancient proverbs, was difficult to source, but quite … Continue reading →

Posted in foolish, intelligence, learning, potential, question, self improvement | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way.

Posted on 15 December 2013 by philosiblog

Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? We all have a level of intelligence which we can use to change our nature and our attitudes. … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, emotion, forgiveness, intelligence, motivation, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid; you must also be well-mannered.

Posted on 3 October 2013 by philosiblog

To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid; you must also be well-mannered. – Voltaire What does that mean? This is another example of the biting wit of Voltaire. He was also showing us how little things … Continue reading →

Posted in caution, decision, effort, foolish, intelligence, judgement | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well.

Posted on 4 July 2013 by philosiblog

It is not enough to have a good mind, the main thing is to use it well. – René Descartes What does that mean? This is a quote from the same guy who said that because he thought, he was (that he … Continue reading →

Posted in education, intelligence, personal growth, question, self improvement, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 3 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 →

Posted in contemplation, discovery, intelligence, listening, question, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A window stuck open is just as bad as a window stuck shut. Either way, you’ve lost its use. Ditto for a mind.

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

Posted on 3 December 2012 by philosiblog

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. – Confucius What does that mean? This is another Goldilocks style quote. Neither too hot nor too cold. Neither too long or too short. Neither too wide nor too narrow. Always … Continue reading →

Posted in courage, failure, flexibility, intelligence, observation, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.

Posted on 29 August 2012 by philosiblog

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. – Plato What does that mean? There are plenty of stories told of people, now known to be great, who had some difficulty in their youth. Many of these … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, confidence, focus, intelligence, motivation, persistence | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Intellect annuls fate. So far as a man thinks, he is free.

Posted on 14 August 2012 by philosiblog

Intellect annuls fate. So far as a man thinks, he is free. – Ralph Waldo Emerson What does that mean? I don’t want to debate the deeper philosophical meaning of free will in this post. Whole forests have been laid waste … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, freedom, imagination, intelligence, observation, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Intellect annuls fate. So far as a man thinks, he is free.

In order to use human intelligence properly our mind should be calm.

Posted on 19 February 2012 by philosiblog

In order to use human intelligence properly our mind should be calm. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote is fairly straight forward. We humans are a fairly clever lot. We are intelligent and can do a great … Continue reading →

Posted in calm, clarity, emotion, intelligence, judgement, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place

Posted on 6 January 2012 by philosiblog

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. – George Bernard Shaw What does that mean? Communication is very important to inter-personal discussions, as it is how we move ideas from person to person. … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, intelligence, knowledge, listening, observation, question | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice

Posted on 20 December 2011 by philosiblog

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice. – William James What does that mean? To quote the rock band Rush, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made … Continue reading →

Posted in choice, decision, freedom, intelligence, question, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt

Posted on 8 December 2011 by philosiblog

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell What does that mean? This quote claims that the bulk of the difficulties in the world are caused by … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, foolish, honest, intelligence, skepticism, understanding | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt

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

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

Posted on 22 October 2011 by philosiblog

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? What kind of people does a leader surround themselves with? Is it a bunch … Continue reading →

Posted in character, discovery, governance, intelligence, leadership, observation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.

The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.

Posted on 13 September 2011 by philosiblog

The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are. – C.S. Lewis What does that mean? This is a slightly abbreviated version of a longer quote:  The next best thing to being wise … Continue reading →

Posted in focus, intelligence, personal growth, self improvement, strategy, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.