Category Archives: setting an example

It is always helpful to remain honest and truthful in the face of difficulty.

It is always helpful to remain honest and truthful in the face of difficulty. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, this quote speaks of the challenge we face when the going gets tough. What will we do, … Continue reading

Posted in confidence, discipline, help, honest, setting an example, truth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away.

But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is especially interesting in the translation. The longer excerpt (which I have included at the bottom of the post) doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in character, freedom, growth, setting an example, strength, virtue | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away.

States are as the men, they grow out of human characters.

States are as the men, they grow out of human characters. – Plato What does that mean? Consider your national identity. It might not be true for you, but at one point it was a sufficiently common trait to label … Continue reading

Posted in action, character, contribution, growth, setting an example, value | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on States are as the men, they grow out of human characters.

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. – Pablo Picasso What does that mean? This quote reminds me of opportunity, both lost and found. Opportunity or inspiration comes on its own schedule, not yours. Have you ever had … Continue reading

Posted in action, discipline, inspire, repetition, setting an example, work | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.

Each man, in corrupting others, corrupts himself.

Each man, in corrupting others, corrupts himself. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is part of a larger discussion of patterns of corruption. It talks about how entire communities and even countries have a pattern of what is … Continue reading

Posted in character, friendship, judgement, perspective, setting an example, weakness | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Each man, in corrupting others, corrupts himself.

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation. – Henry David Thoreau What does that mean? This is a slight misquote of what is in the book, but helps make it better understood for most people. And, given the age in … Continue reading

Posted in belief, character, hope, observation, setting an example, sympathy | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. – Aesop What does that mean? This quote is from the famous story, The Lion and the Mouse, wherein a small Mouse, caught by the Lion, is released rather … Continue reading

Posted in action, caring, giving, help, kindness, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. – Martin Luther King What does that mean? This is a great quote from a great man. It has three parts, each … Continue reading

Posted in action, belief, fear, love, motivation, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.

Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? This is a quote about preparation. Whether it is a son or daughter, a niece or nephew, or … Continue reading

Posted in giving, judgement, knowledge, risk, setting an example, thinking | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.

Use what talents you possess; The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

Use what talents you possess; The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. – Henry van Dyke What does that mean? Think about that for a moment. Imagine how quiet the world … Continue reading

Posted in choice, contribution, help, setting an example, sharing, talent | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Use what talents you possess; The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

Because of the risks involved in indulging in unrestrained desire and greed we need to cultivate contentment and simplicity.

Because of the risks involved in indulging in unrestrained desire and greed we need to cultivate contentment and simplicity. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This is about the individual, and how individuals interact. At one end, if everyone indulged … Continue reading

Posted in contentment, desire, empathy, moderation, setting an example, simplicity | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Trade your expectations for appreciation and your whole world changes in an instant.

Trade your expectations for appreciation and your whole world changes in an instant. – Tony Robbins What does that mean? This quote is about attitude, and how it can impact our perception of the world around us. It also changes … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, change, gratitude, leadership, optimism, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out…

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out… – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross What does that mean? This is truly a beautiful quote, and it was spread across two tweets, and the full text of the … Continue reading

Posted in attitude, focus, perseverance, perspective, setting an example, strength | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.

We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. – Selena Quintanilla Perez and Chuck Palahniuk What does that mean? This quote is often credited to Selena, who died before Chuck wrote his … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, friendship, help, inspire, perspective, setting an example | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The challenge today is to convince people of the value of truth, honesty, compassion and a concern for others.

The challenge today is to convince people of the value of truth, honesty, compassion and a concern for others. –Dalai Lama What does that mean? This, sadly, is true far too often. Yes, there are stand-up people out there, those … Continue reading

Posted in belief, compassion, honest, setting an example, truth, value | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The challenge today is to convince people of the value of truth, honesty, compassion and a concern for others.