Category Archives: thinking

Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.

Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This may be another fake quote, as I have seen it attributed in many places, but cannot find … Continue reading

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It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.

It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question. – Eugène Ionesco What does that mean? This is an interesting quote in that it turns a few things around from the usual way we think of them. The quote says … Continue reading

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Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.

Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow. – Margaret Fuller What does that mean? This is a very interesting quote from a fascinating person. From her biography, she was taught by her father (a … Continue reading

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When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, stated by Sherlock Holmes What does that mean? To me, this is all about logic. If you start with everything you … Continue reading

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A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices. – William James What does that mean? At theFreeDictionary.com, prejudice is defined as “An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination … Continue reading

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Every person takes the limits of their own field of vision for the limits of the world.

Every person takes the limits of their own field of vision for the limits of the world. – Arthur Schopenhauer What does that mean? We all have our limits. For some, their limit is in the seeing, for others, it’s … Continue reading

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The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won.

The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won. – Sun Tzu What does that mean? This is another Twitter friendly quote, which at full length is as follows: “Thus it is that in war the victorious … Continue reading

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He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg.

He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? The quote opens by considering someone who spends the time to fully deliberate all possible outcomes and … Continue reading

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Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. – Oscar Wilde What does that mean? This quote is also listed in several places as “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” So, what do you call your … Continue reading

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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle What does that mean? I’m not sure ‘educated’ is the word I would use (it might be an artifact of the … Continue reading

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Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.

Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore N. Vail What does that mean? It’s all in your mind, at least that’s what today’s quote is saying to me. If you think … Continue reading

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It is because of my wish to be helpful that I share my ideas and experiences; being helpful to even one person is valuable

It is because of my wish to be helpful that I share my ideas and experiences; being helpful to even one person is valuable. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This was a great quote for me, as it explains, … Continue reading

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Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. A. A. Milne

Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. (Christopher Robbin to Pooh) – A. A. Milne What does that mean? This quote, being spoken by a fictional character, might … Continue reading

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To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say

To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say. – Descartes What does that mean? This quote reminds us that people will say things that they think you want to hear, or … Continue reading

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When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice

When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice. – William James What does that mean? To quote the rock band Rush, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made … Continue reading

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