Associate with people who will improve you. – Seneca What does that mean? As is so often the case, the quote has been shortened to fit within the confines of the structure allowed by Twitter. The longer version of the quote is: “Withdraw into yourself, as far as you can. Associate with those who will…
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 than eaten, as a kindness. Later, the Mouse comes across the Lion, trapped in a…
Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared. – George S. Clason What does that mean? This is a quote from a vintage book, which was published just before the Great Depression, called “The Richest Man In Babylon,” on page 14. The book, initially a series of pamphlets, tell…
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 ever had the pleasure to be acquainted. Can you feel the burn? I’m glad I…
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 said it. This man played American Football for quite a few years, and was a…
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. – Calvin Coolidge What does that mean? This, as is frequently the case, is a Twitter-friendly excerpt. The more complete quote is as follows: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with…
It’s harmful to employ technology fired by anger and hatred. It can only be beneficial if we’re motivated to seek the welfare of all beings. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, this is a very interesting quote, in that it pits our morals and values against the immense power and capability of…
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. – Seneca What does that mean? At best, this quote is a very loose translation of him quoting something said by someone else. However, despite its questionable pedigree, I believe this is a worthy quote, so let’s examine it. People like to say they got lucky. And…
No person is free who is not master of himself. – Pythagoras What does that mean? This quote is usually attributed to Epictetus, but found in works attributed to Pythagoras, and stated as: “None can be free who is a slave to, and ruled by, his passions.” That makes the usual quote a little easier…
I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being. – Confucius What does that mean? Ever feel like you should be doing something else? Ever feel like something inside of you desperately wants to get out? I know that I have. To me, that is what this quote is…
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 ultimate change, and why not fearing it leaves you free to do anything: “If you…
Pride is pleasure arising from a man’s thinking too highly of himself. – Baruch Spinoza What does that mean? I have heard many definitions of the less-useful version of pride before, but I believe this one is about as short and sweet as it could possibly be. The less-useful version of pride does indeed give pleasure to…
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 dealing with the difference between love and hatred and how it impacts our lives. In…
Not only is your happiness and welfare related to others, but the more you help them, the happier you will be. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This is a fundamental truth in life. If you think about some of your happiest moments in life, rarely are they solely about you. Even when you win…
What is harder than rock? What is softer than water? Yet hard rocks are hollowed out by soft water. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a neat quote about the power of persistent, as well as consistent, effort. Over time, those drips can do some very amazing things. This quote is about how,…
