How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? This is a shorter, Twiter-friendly version of a passage from his book Meditations regarding time, and the efficient use thereof. The more complete quote is listed below: “How much…
Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a great minimalist quote. Not in that it is as brief as some of the famous ancient quotes, but because of what it implies. So much of what we have, we…
Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself. – Dr. Farrah Gray What does that mean? This one, while hard to source, is worth some thought. Think of arrogance, and then think of confidence. Which one needs help, and which stands alone? While most people fall somewhere between those extremes, we have all known a few of…
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it. – Maya Angelou What does that mean? Things happen in life. Some of those things change our path in life. Some of them even change our lives. These changes could be for the better, or they could be for the…
Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. – Robert Frost What does that mean? Well, irresistible is defined as “Impossible to resist.” or “Having an overpowering appeal” and desire is defined as “A wish or longing.”, “The object of longing” and “Passion or appetite.” That about covers it, doesn’t it? “Love is the overpowering…
No one loves the man whom he fears. – Aristotle What does that mean? This quote goes way back in time. While this could apply to twisted love relationships, it can also apply to loyalty relationships, as well as leadership relationships. It deals with the relationship between love and fear. Or more precisely, the way…
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 be less anxiety, more determination, and greater self-confidence. From my experience, it appears that these…
When people don’t believe in you, you have to believe in yourself. – Pierce Brosnan What does that mean? Our belief in ourselves, our ability to get things done, is central to our self worth and key to our ability to remain motivated when times get tough. It’s not uncommon for others to not believe in…
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box. – Italian Proverb What does that mean? In the literal sense, it means that when you’re done playing chess, all the pieces go back in the same box, no matter how lofty or lowly their position was in the game, no matter…
Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. – Noah benShea What does that mean? This quote is fundamentally about happiness. I have seen too many people get caught in the trap that ties their self worth to their possessions. They feel like they…
Let us be of cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come. – Amy Lowell What does that mean? The quote starts on a high note, urging us to be ‘of cheer’ or happy. The reason why we should be cheerful? The rest of the quote says that we should be cheerful…
Men almost always walk in paths beaten by others and act by imitation. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a Twitter friendly version of the full quote. However, I believe that it stands well on it’s own, and it shall be addressed in this blog as it stands. This quote talks about originality, or…
I never admire another’s fortune so much that I became dissatisfied with my own. – Cicero What does that mean? This quote says that you can admire the fortune (the possessions) of someone else. It is understood that humans do that. It’s OK to window shop, to admire or like the shiny things in someone…
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. – Mark Twain What does that mean? This quote is talking about a basic function of our minds. We cannot be comfortable without our own mind being comfortable. We are what we think, and this quote is simply pointing this out. If we are uncomfortable in…
If you lose money you lose much, If you lose friends you lose more, If you lose faith you lose all. – Eleanor Roosevelt What does that mean? To me, this quote is about priorities, perspective, and what really matters. People lose money all the time. Have you talked to anyone about their 401K or retirement…
