Category Archives: strength

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions.

Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions. – Hafez of Persia What does that mean? While the English versions of Hafez’s verses are often considered more an approximation than a … Continue reading

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The truth can make people angrier than a lie. Tell it anyway.

The truth can make people angrier than a lie. Tell it anyway. – Teresa Carpenter What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, and quite appropriate, considering the source is an editor and investigative writer. While she probably learned … Continue reading

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Be proud of who you are and not ashamed of how someone else sees you.

Be proud of who you are and not ashamed of how someone else sees you. – Unknown What does that mean? This is a quote I wish I’d heard more of when I was little. It’s reassuring and hopeful for … Continue reading

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Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of those pieces.

Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of those pieces. – Judith Viorst What does that mean? This quote is not about the strength of our … Continue reading

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He who has great power should use it lightly.

He who has great power should use it lightly. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote is from a play by Seneca, wherein the Greek heroes Pyrrhus (son of Achilles) and Agamemnon are discussing the fate (death) of a … Continue reading

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To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. – Saint Augustine What does that mean? This is an interesting quote. Can you do just a little? Do you know what is the correct amount for you, and for the … Continue reading

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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

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If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be.

If we are lashed and torn by Fortune, let us bear it; it is not cruelty but a struggle, and the oftener we engage in it, the stronger we shall be. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote has … Continue reading

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The events of life bear most harshly upon the inexperienced; the yoke is heavy to the tender neck.

The events of life bear most harshly upon the inexperienced; the yoke is heavy to the tender neck. – Seneca What does that mean? This is another great quote, but which had to be trimmed substantially in order to fit … Continue reading

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The universe is change; life is what thinking makes of it.

The universe is change; life is what thinking makes of it. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? This quote is about how life works, and one way of looking at it. Change happens. There is no way around it, … Continue reading

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Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? This is about being the rock in the storm. It … Continue reading

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The talk of the ignorant is like the rumblings which issue from the belly.

The talk of the ignorant is like the rumblings which issue from the belly. – Demetrius the Cynic What does that mean? I like this quote. It is one of the snarkier bits of Ancient Wisdom with which I have … Continue reading

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One thing that I don’t think my critics realize about me is that I’ve been trained to look adversity in the face.

One thing that I don’t think my critics realize about me is that I’ve been trained to look adversity in the face. – Reggie White What does that mean? I like this quote, and I also like the person who … Continue reading

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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

It’s hard to beat a guy when he’s got his mind made up that he’s going to win.

It’s hard to beat a guy when he’s got his mind made up that he’s going to win. – Muhammad Ali What does that mean? This quote is about the reason why. We all have things we want to do, and the … Continue reading

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