Category Archives: understanding

Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself.

Posted on 11 April 2016 by philosiblog

Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? The world is a big place. There are many things to do, and many places to visit. But what if you don’t … Continue reading →

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When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs.

Posted on 1 February 2016 by philosiblog

When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs – Thomas à Kempis What does that mean? Anger. In moderation it can be somewhat useful as a motivator. But how rarely is it used in moderation? It seems to run past moderation … Continue reading →

Posted in anger, clarity, decision, thinking, understanding, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood.

Posted on 2 November 2015 by philosiblog

I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood. – Unknown What does that mean? To me, this is a tale of responsibility, and to whom it belongs. We are responsible for the words we say, … Continue reading →

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

Posted on 8 October 2015 by philosiblog

Good judgement comes from experience. Experience often comes from bad judgement. – Mulla Nasrudin What does that mean? This quote about judgement is hard to source, having been attributed to dozens of people all the way back to the 13th … Continue reading →

Posted in decision, doing, judgement, learning, self improvement, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ab uno disce omnes. – From one, learn all.

Posted on 9 July 2014 by philosiblog

Ab uno disce omnes. – From one, learn all. – Virgil What does that mean? This has usually been translated to mean that we would be well served to learn the general rule which governs most situations. We must also … Continue reading →

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There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope.

Posted on 25 June 2014 by philosiblog

There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope. – Spinoza What does that mean? To me, this quote describes the simple duality of the future. Hope and fear, they are the two sides of the … Continue reading →

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It would help if there were greater understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem.

Posted on 5 May 2014 by philosiblog

It would help if there were greater understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote, to me, is about the futility of anger. Anger is many things to many people, but … Continue reading →

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

Posted on 29 March 2014 by philosiblog

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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It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age.

Posted on 15 March 2014 by philosiblog

It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age. – Seneca What does that mean? This is another quote shortened for use on … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, fear, perspective, preparation, truth, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

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

Posted on 26 February 2014 by philosiblog

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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If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.

Posted on 19 February 2014 by philosiblog

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. – Lao Tzu What does that mean? This is another Twitter friendly short quote. The longer version of the quote goes into the … Continue reading →

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Love and compassion are qualities that human beings require just to live together.

Posted on 9 February 2014 by philosiblog

Love and compassion are qualities that human beings require just to live together. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? I like this quote as it talks about a fundamental truth which we often ignore, despite knowing it to be true. … Continue reading →

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A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.

Posted on 31 January 2014 by philosiblog

A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided. – Tony Robbins What does that mean? This is a quote I first heard years ago, and it … Continue reading →

Posted in action, decision, fear, knowledge, procrastination, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.

Posted on 20 January 2014 by philosiblog

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words. – Elbert Hubbard What does that mean? Life isn’t just about talking. Sometimes, we just sit in silence. Sometimes it’s in the library, other times it is … Continue reading →

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“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”

Posted on 1 January 2014 by philosiblog

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns What does that mean? This is a line from an old Scottish poem and song. It is a traditional ‘ending’ song, asking the rhetorical question “what if we forgot … Continue reading →

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