Category Archives: understanding

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist…

Posted on 25 August 2012 by philosiblog

Many have dreamed up republics and principalities which have never in truth been known to exist… – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a Twitter friendly shortening of a fairly long quote: “Many have dreamed up republics and principalities … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptation, flexibility, ideals, judgement, limits, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How would you know what happy is if you’ve never been otherwise.

Posted on 21 August 2012 by philosiblog

How would you know what happy is if you’ve never been otherwise. – Malcolm S. Forbes What does that mean? This is an interesting quote. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you? Now define what a … Continue reading →

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There are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts.

Posted on 18 August 2012 by philosiblog

There are two methods of fighting, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another Twitter-friendly quote. The more complete version is … Continue reading →

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If we are optimistic, take a longer view, and we employ realistic methods, we can contribute to making the world a better place.

Posted on 17 June 2012 by philosiblog

If we are optimistic, take a longer view, and we employ realistic methods, we can contribute to making the world a better place. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote is all about improving the world in general. To me, … Continue reading →

Posted in altruism, contribution, help, ideals, truth, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.

Posted on 9 June 2012 by philosiblog

The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up. – Mark Twain What does that mean? This is another misattributed quote. I try to be extra cautious when dealing with quotes attributed to Mark Twain, as … Continue reading →

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I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments.

Posted on 6 June 2012 by philosiblog

I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. – Dwight D. Eisenhower What does that mean? To me, this is a quote only a warrior could make. It … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, dignity, humanitarianism, ideals, listening, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted.

Posted on 2 June 2012 by philosiblog

A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This appears to be another non-quote, as I cannot source it from any of the more reputable … Continue reading →

Posted in discovery, honest, loyalty, question, sharing, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.

Posted on 24 May 2012 by philosiblog

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. – Bob Dylan What does that mean? This is an interesting quote in that it reminds us that freedom comes with responsibility. … Continue reading →

Posted in contribution, duty, freedom, help, setting an example, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Having a more compassionate attitude helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings.

Posted on 6 May 2012 by philosiblog

Having a more compassionate attitude helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? How well do people without compassion communicate? They’re in editorial cartoons all the time, failing badly at communicating with others. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, curious, dignity, listening, question, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on 18 April 2012 by philosiblog

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 →

Posted in plan, procrastination, strategy, thinking, understanding, victory | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.

Posted on 24 March 2012 by philosiblog

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This quote is so spot on. I have known several … Continue reading →

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and this is a common failing of mankind, never to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm.

Posted on 11 February 2012 by philosiblog

(and this is a common failing of mankind, never to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm) –  Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is a neat quote, as it is literally a parenthetical note at the end of a … Continue reading →

Posted in calm, communication, discovery, observation, preparation, understanding | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on and this is a common failing of mankind, never to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm.

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

Posted on 10 February 2012 by philosiblog

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. – Henry David Thoreau What does that mean? What do you see, or do you usually just look? It’s only human to not see everything. There is just … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, discovery, focus, listening, observation, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt

Posted on 8 December 2011 by philosiblog

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell What does that mean? This quote claims that the bulk of the difficulties in the world are caused by … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, foolish, honest, intelligence, skepticism, understanding | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt

I never admire another’s fortune so much that I became dissatisfied with my own

Posted on 25 November 2011 by philosiblog

I never admire another’s fortune so much that I became dissatisfied with my own. – Cicero What does that mean? This quote says that you can admire the fortune (the possessions) of someone else. It is understood that humans do … Continue reading →

Posted in desire, happiness, money, self-image, thankful, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments