Category Archives: self knowledge

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson What does that mean? Here, I think he is saying that it’s hard to be wise if you are a liar. If you are a liar, how … Continue reading

Posted in conscience, deception, self knowledge, struggle, truth, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. – Mae West What does that mean? As the naughty vixen of the early talkies (movies with sound), she used this line as a calling card for … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, doing, effort, potential, procrastination, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A happy life is one which is in accordance with its own nature.

A happy life is one which is in accordance with its own nature. – Seneca What does that mean? To me, that sounds a little clunky. I presume it has to do with how Latin references work, and how they are … Continue reading

Posted in common sense, discovery, happiness, individuality, optimism, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A happy life is one which is in accordance with its own nature.

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. ~ Aristotle What does that mean? To me, this is talking about the eternal internal struggle of humanity. We … Continue reading

Posted in discipline, effort, growth, honest, improve, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. – Carl Jung What does that mean? When we look inside our heart, our true self awakens. Until … Continue reading

Posted in belief, desire, judgement, self knowledge, value, vision | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. – Leonardo da Vinci What does that mean? Let’s face it, I’m the greatest Dad in the world, right? I’ve got the T-Shirt to prove it! Isn’t that what this quote is … Continue reading

Posted in belief, deception, faith, question, self knowledge, truth | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.

Reliable and genuine discipline comes not from repression, but from an understanding of all the whys and wherefores of our actions.

Reliable and genuine discipline comes not from repression, but from an understanding of all the whys and wherefores of our actions. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, it seems that he is saying that the path of repressing an … Continue reading

Posted in discipline, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.

It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself. – Muhammad Ali What does that mean? To me, it talks of one of humankind’s greatest fears, the fear of the new, the unknown.  … Continue reading

Posted in belief, doing, faith, obstacles, self knowledge, worry | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do than what one can do.

Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do than what one can do. – Lin Yutang What does that mean? To me, this is about where your talents are and where they are not.  No matter how … Continue reading

Posted in adaptation, clarity, desire, flexibility, perseverance, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

We don’t really need most of the things we buy. We just imagine we’d be happier with them.

…we don’t really need most of the things we buy. … We just imagine we’d be happier with them. – Virginia Postrel What does that mean? Sometimes the research on the quote is the most interesting part.  It was a … Continue reading

Posted in contemplation, emotion, happiness, optimism, personal growth, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on We don’t really need most of the things we buy. We just imagine we’d be happier with them.

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. – Muhammad Ali What does that mean? To me, this talks about how our experiences (especially when taken … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, belief, growth, improve, perspective, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.