Category Archives: reflection

The only cure for vanity is laughter, and the only fault that is laughable is vanity.

Posted on 9 January 2014 by philosiblog

The only cure for vanity is laughter, and the only fault that is laughable is vanity. – Henri Bergson What does that mean? Taking this quote from the second half, the quote says the only fault which is laughable, or … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, compassion, help, laughter, pride, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it.

Posted on 7 January 2014 by philosiblog

The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it. – Arthur Schopenhauer What does that mean? As I am past that point of inflection, I find this quote fascinating. Personally, I might … Continue reading →

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“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”

Posted on 1 January 2014 by philosiblog

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns What does that mean? This is a line from an old Scottish poem and song. It is a traditional ‘ending’ song, asking the rhetorical question “what if we forgot … Continue reading →

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Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.

Posted on 19 November 2013 by philosiblog

Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours. – John Locke What does that mean? The longer, twitter unfriendly version is as follows: This is that which I think great readers are … Continue reading →

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He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

Posted on 16 November 2013 by philosiblog

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have. – Socrates What does that mean? This quote is a variant of a few other of his quotes, so I imagine … Continue reading →

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If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?

Posted on 12 November 2013 by philosiblog

If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear? – Confucius What does that mean? To me, this quote isn’t about the fear of a tiger eating … Continue reading →

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I’m optimistic that there is a growing appetite for peace in the world. Many young people are fed up with war and violence.

Posted on 10 November 2013 by philosiblog

I’m optimistic that there is a growing appetite for peace in the world. Many young people are fed up with war and violence. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? There have always been people against war. There have always been people … Continue reading →

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Asking “Is this possible?” is rarely relevant. The real question is, “Is this worth doing?”

Posted on 24 October 2013 by philosiblog

Asking “Is this possible?” is rarely relevant. The real question is, “Is this worth doing?” – Andrew Sliwinski What does that mean? This is the measure of human ingenuity. So many things which were once considered impossible are now routinely done. The … Continue reading →

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We are more often frightened than hurt: and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.

Posted on 12 October 2013 by philosiblog

We are more often frightened than hurt: and we suffer more from imagination than from reality. – Seneca What does that mean? Given that this is October, and the scariest night of the year is just a few weeks away, this is … Continue reading →

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Consider, when you are enraged at any one, what you would probably think if he should die during the dispute.

Posted on 5 October 2013 by philosiblog

Consider, when you are enraged at any one, what you would probably think if he should die during the dispute. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is about how mad a person should, or should not, become. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, compassion, contemplation, emotion, judgement, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.

Posted on 23 September 2013 by philosiblog

To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven. – Karen Sunde What does that mean? I find this to be a very interesting quote. It doesn’t (by itself) state that it is specifically about romantic love, although it isn’t difficult … Continue reading →

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It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.

Posted on 4 September 2013 by philosiblog

It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste. – Henry Ford What does that mean? This quote, as one might expect from one of the foremost industrialists of his era, is about work. Specifically … Continue reading →

Posted in discipline, imagination, judgement, reflection, self improvement, time | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

Posted on 2 September 2013 by philosiblog

Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. – Oliver Wendell Holmes What does that mean? This quote is, to me, about the difference between a physical location and an emotion. The quote says that … Continue reading →

Posted in affection, beauty, desire, love, reflection, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Take away love, and our earth is a tomb.

Posted on 12 August 2013 by philosiblog

Take away love, and our earth is a tomb. – Robert Browning A tomb, as you probably know, is a place where the dead are placed. And without passion, our lives would be as dull and dreary as the lives of … Continue reading →

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Don’t bring your need to the marketplace, bring your skill.

Posted on 1 August 2013 by philosiblog

Don’t bring your need to the marketplace, bring your skill. – Jim Rohn What does that mean? There is a longer version of this quote (see confirmation section at the bottom of the post), but for the purposes of this post, I … Continue reading →

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