Category Archives: personal growth

He who is not your friend will demand your neutrality, while he who is your friend will entreat you to declare yourself.

Posted on 1 September 2012 by philosiblog

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in decision, friendship, ideals, loyalty, opposition, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

Posted on 28 August 2012 by philosiblog

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe What does that mean? Trust yourself? That is the crux of this quote. Of course we trust ourselves, don’t we? Or do we? … Continue reading →

Posted in clarity, confidence, destination, dream, knowledge, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.

Posted on 23 August 2012 by philosiblog

There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself. – Louis XIV What does that mean? This quote is about what you do after you finish doing this quote. In that blog post I discussed how challenging it can … Continue reading →

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Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Posted on 8 August 2012 by philosiblog

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. – Dr. Seuss What does that mean? While at first, years and years ago, I considered this line to be trite and unhelpful, over the years, I have warmed to the … Continue reading →

Posted in emotion, focus, imagination, personal growth, repetition, sympathy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

If you don’t learn from your mistakes, there’s no sense making them.

Posted on 3 August 2012 by philosiblog

If you don’t learn from your mistakes, there’s no sense making them. – Laurence J. Peter (also seen as Anonymous) What does that mean? This is another humorous quote, but again, it has a serious point hidden within. The quote is by the author … Continue reading →

Posted in contemplation, failure, observation, personal growth, reflection, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on If you don’t learn from your mistakes, there’s no sense making them.

One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.

Posted on 30 July 2012 by philosiblog

One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry What does that mean? This is an interesting part of the book “The Little Prince,” where the Prince was crying about his rose, … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, compassion, empathy, observation, personal growth, vision | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The examined life is no picnic.

Posted on 4 June 2012 by philosiblog

The examined life is no picnic. – Robert Fulghum What does that mean? This gem is from his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kinder-garten and is the payoff line for a paragraph long discussion about the difficulties … Continue reading →

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As you develop a more compassionate attitude, you feel less anxiety, while your determination and self-confidence increase.

Posted on 3 June 2012 by philosiblog

As you develop a more compassionate attitude, you feel less anxiety, while your determination and self-confidence increase. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote is about the benefits of developing a more compassionate attitude. The claim is that there will … Continue reading →

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Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required.

Posted on 28 May 2012 by philosiblog

Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required. – Winston Churchill What does that mean? Today, in the USA, we celebrate Memorial Day, a day dedicated to those who have made the ultimate … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, discipline, duty, exceptionalism, personal growth, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required.

Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.

Posted on 23 May 2012 by philosiblog

Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow. – Margaret Fuller What does that mean? This is a very interesting quote from a fascinating person. From her biography, she was taught by her father (a … Continue reading →

Posted in choice, creativity, goals, personal growth, refresh, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Posted on 15 May 2012 by philosiblog

Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. – L. Frank Baum (as spoken by Dorothy in his masterpiece The Wizard of Oz) What does that mean? This saying has become a cultural metaphor in English speaking countries (and perhaps other … Continue reading →

Posted in choice, destination, flexibility, growth, independence, personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.

Posted on 12 May 2012 by philosiblog

I’m not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it.– Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a famous misquote, but an interesting one none the less. In his day, and in his trade, change was necessary … Continue reading →

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If you are too busy to laugh, you are too busy.

Posted on 30 April 2012 by philosiblog

If you are too busy to laugh, you are too busy. – Proverb What does that mean? Laughter. It’s one of the best sounds a human can make, and one of the best sounds a human can hear. It makes … Continue reading →

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Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount.

Posted on 10 April 2012 by philosiblog

Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount. – Clare Boothe Luce What does that mean? While the verbage is a bit archaic, I believe it is as true today as it was when it was first spoken. Reworded, Courage is the ladder all the other virtues … Continue reading →

Posted in courage, discipline, ideals, personal growth, struggle, virtue | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.

Posted on 1 April 2012 by philosiblog

All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? It means nothing in life is easy. If you want something, you … Continue reading →

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