The more pride we have, the more other people’s pride irritates us. – C.S. Lewis What does that mean? I like this quote, because it is so true. As misery loves company, pride seems to despise it. And we have seen it around us, and even within us. Yes, someone over there is prideful. How does…
Of what shall a man be proud, if he is not proud of his friends? – Robert Lewis Stevenson What does that mean? To me, this quote is about who you hang with. Who are your friends? Are you proud of them? Are there some among your friends you would be embarrassed to be seen with,…
A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? In this passage, he is talking about how a Prince should conduct himself in a manner to gain renown, or a good kind of fame. He urges the Prince to set a fine example, to…
Loyalty and friendship, which is to me the same, created all the wealth that I’ve ever thought I’d have. – Ernie Banks What does that mean? The quote starts by declaring loyalty and friendship as being the same. Consider that for a moment. Can you call a person a friend who is disloyal? I don’t…
He who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, while he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is part of a longer Twitter-friendly quote: “Thus it will always happen that he who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, whilst he who is…
The innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This quote is about the difficulties faced by a new ruler. With a new ruler come new rules, and the status quo is overturned. Those who have been doing well, the quote says, are going…
The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a quote, once again, that was directed at a Prince or ruler of a City State. It deals with the all too familiar situation where a promise made has been…
Commitment is an act, not a word. Jean-Paul Sartre What does that mean? To what are you committed? Really, really committed? The usual answers include your family, your friends, your system of beliefs, your values, even your country or your culture. But how committed are you? Are you committed to the level of “I only regret…
A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This appears to be another non-quote, as I cannot source it from any of the more reputable quote warehouses. However, it is an interesting point, and I think it is worthy of…
Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted. – Alfred Adler What does that mean? People of genius, like Albert Einstein and Marie Curie are admired or held in high esteem, both for their abilities as scientists as well as for what they actually achieved. People of wealth, like Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey are envied or looked at with covetous…
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. – Henry Clay What does that mean? This quote is showing it’s age. I’d hate to have to do a sentence diagram of it. Let’s see if I can make it into slightly better English. “Honorable…
A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends. – George Washington What does that mean? This quote is fairly typical of his day and age. Back then, you didn’t have strangers asking to be your friend on every Social Media site….
If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrong-doing, but more than ever that he is thy brother. – Epictetus What does that mean? This is an old translation which I’d like to make sound a little more modern: “If your friend wrongs you, don’t focus on their wrong-doing, instead focus on the…
Those that are most slow in making a promise are the most faithful in the performance of it. – Rousseau What does that mean? To me, this is as much a cautionary statement as anything. It cautions us to be wary of those who would quickly make promises, as they may back out of them…
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom. – Sun Tzu What does that mean? Obviously, this quote is a little longer that can be posted on Twitter, so the tweet is…
