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

Posted on 16 May 2016 by philosiblog

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

Fear

Fear is no way to live your life. Learn about it, and understand that it only has the power you give it.

What does that mean?
While the English versions of Hafez’s verses are often considered more an approximation than a translation, I found this one to be quite interesting, and worthy of consideration, even if it isn’t exactly literal.

The phrase ‘the cheapest room in the house’ refers to the lowest, meanest and least expensive accommodations in an apartment building or hotel. It means living in cramped and dingy quarters.

The quote finishes by saying that it would be nice if you lived in better circumstances. As Fear is what is keeping you in that nasty room, the implication is that by letting go of fear, you can move up to better accommodations.

Why is putting unhealthy fear behind you important? Continue reading →

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

Posted on 12 May 2016 by philosiblog

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

truth or lie

Tell the truth, or lie? It’s even worse when you have to get others to share the lie and hide the truth.

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 the hard way, I hope we can muster the strength to benefit from her experience and actually do what she suggests.

The truth is often less than pleasant. This is a fact. We then have a choice. Do we hide the truth, do we lie about it, or do we tell the truth, knowing it will not be well received?

The quote urges us to do the right thing, and tell the truth, however unpleasant it might be, and however unpopular it might be. They may be angry for a while, but at least the truth is out.

Why is telling the truth important? Continue reading →

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The quality of our actions, whether they are positive or negative, depends on our motivation. This is why we have to transform our minds.

Posted on 5 May 2016 by philosiblog

The quality of our actions, whether they are positive or negative, depends on our motivation. This is why we have to transform our minds. – Dalai Lama

motivation

Our actions are based on our motivations. I think this guy did the wrong thing for the right reason…

What does that mean?
All that we do are our actions. We do this, we do that. We do it because we want to or believe that we have to do it. We decide and then we take action.

This quote reminds us that our motivation guides the quality our actions take, and how they are perceived by others. Positive or negative will largely be colored by our motivation.

You have probably heard about someone doing the wrong thing for all the right reasons, right? And even though they may have done the wrong thing, they are given some leeway and credit for trying to do their best.

Similarly, people who do the right thing for the wrong reason are often given very little credit, once their motivation is known. In my opinion, that is the heart of the quote.

Why is our motivation important? Continue reading →

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If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

Posted on 2 May 2016 by philosiblog

If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience. – William James

feeling good

Feeling Good might include another drink, but how will you feel tomorrow morning?

What does that mean?
This quote is part of a larger discussion of the way we make decisions and determine what we think is good for us or the proper way to live.

This quote specifically says that if merely ‘feeling good’ was the proper definition of good, we would spend the bulk of our time inebriated.

While I have known people who, in their youth, did in fact subscribe to this definition of good and proper, I would think most of us have come to realize that this is not necessarily the best way to live.

The rest of the paragraph from which this quote is excised discusses the difference between short term and long term when it comes to making decisions, the short term being what this quote is warning against.

Why is ‘feeling good’ important? Continue reading →

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From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.

Posted on 21 April 2016 by philosiblog

From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate. – Socrates

stalking desire

Strong desires are dangerous emotions. Stalking someone is just one sign that you’ve gone too far.

What does that mean?
Sometimes seen as “Hatred arrives from deepest desires.” this quote, while not definitely sourced, is still quite interesting to me, and still applicable today.

This quote is about very strong emotions. Deep desire is a powerful motivator, especially when thwarted. And deep desire often goes unfulfilled.

These very strong emotions, being less than fulfilled, can lead to other equally strong emotions. Usually that shows up as a great hatred or rage.

That alone should be a strong argument against living in a strong emotional state for any length of time. Emotions are good, but they still need bounds.

Why is being careful about our desires important? Continue reading →

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

Posted on 18 April 2016 by philosiblog

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

Proud

“I’ve been called worse things by better people.” Be proud of who you are, don’t let them push you down.

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 all those who aren’t the same as everyone else.

It is a reminder for all of us, to remember what we have that is good, useful and helpful, and to not worry about what other people see or think.

One of the things over which we have absolutely no control is what others think of us. Trying to change their mind, that is a fool’s errand at best.

Instead, we need to have the strength to ignore the haters and remember that our value is based on who we are on the inside, and not based on what others think of us.

Why is being proud of ourselves important? Continue reading →

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Beware of the person of one book.

Posted on 14 April 2016 by philosiblog

Beware of the person of one book. – Thomas Aquinas

beware

Beware of the person who knows only this; it is a sarcastic list of misinformation disguised as a dictionary.

What does that mean?
These words have been used in many different ways, from a warning regarding the narrow nature of such a person (ie not broadly educated).

But in the original sense, it is a warning about one who has devoted their life to the study of one thing, to the exclusion of all else.

This person is formidable in their depth of knowledge, having never been distracted by other books. This is a worthy pursuit, provided you have the right book.

However, even today, when knowledge is so plentiful and easily sourced, many are the other kind of one-book person. If you study in depth, make sure you get the right book.

Why is it important to beware of single source people? Continue reading →

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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

walk out the door

The teacher opened the door, but are you willing to walk through it and see what is out there?

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 know about it, or have fears or worries about what you do know?

This is where a teacher can be helpful. They have been outside your limited world. They have seen, done, and learned things you don’t know or understand.

The teacher can help you understand, and help you calm your fears. They can point out where and when to be cautious, and when and where to let go and have fun.

But after the teacher has taught you, it’s up to you to actually go out and do it. The teacher has opened the door, but only you can take the step through the door.

Why is taking the walk through the door important? Continue reading →

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Never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.

Posted on 7 April 2016 by philosiblog

Never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. – Winston Churchill

never give in except

Is it really worth a fight, especially when they want one? Give in to convictions of honor or good sense.

What does that mean?
This quote is often badly mistaken to mean that one should be stubborn, as the portion of the speech immediately preceding this might seem to say, taken out of context.

But the “Never, never, never… give up” is followed by this part. It urges us not to consider giving up, but giving in, when honor or good sense dictates we do so.

Honor would tell us to do the right thing, even if it is not what we would prefer to do. Sometimes losing with honor is better than winning without it.

Sometimes good sense tells us to give in. When dealing with someone who is emotional, no amount of logic or discussion of right and wrong will win the day. Give in, and deal with the consequences later.

Why is it important to give in when appropriate? Continue reading →

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You can’t buy inner peace or wisdom with money. You have to create them within yourself.

Posted on 4 April 2016 by philosiblog

You can’t buy inner peace or wisdom with money. You have to create them within yourself. – Dalai Lama

within

Kids know inner peace lies within. How do we forget? They enjoy the box as much as the toy. Wisdom.

What does that mean?
This quote talks about two of the biggest fallacies in the modern developed world. Inner Peace and Wisdom are driving desires for most of us, but so many have no idea how to get them.

Many of us tie Inner Peace with money or the things money can bring us; a nice house, a better car, fancy clothes, a vacation somewhere exotic. But the results are only temporary.

Similarly, many try to gain Wisdom by paying someone to teach them, or to buy books for the indirect experience. Yet unless they make the experience part of them, they won’t become part of yourself.

And that’s what actually makes both of these work, taking the experiences, the knowledge and the desire and making them part of ourselves. In this way, we can keep them for life.

Why is creating inner peace and wisdom within ourselves important? 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.

Posted on 31 March 2016 by philosiblog

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

strength

Strength comes in many forms. Breaking the chocolate takes strength. So does eating just one piece.

What does that mean?
This quote is not about the strength of our arms or of our backs. This quote, when speaking of strength is speaking of restraint and the strength of will.

The quote specifically mentions the ability to break a chocolate bar into pieces. For most people and most chocolate bars, that isn’t really a feat of strength.

But the strength required to eat just one of them, and leave the other three for a later time or for other people, that shows restraint, and the strength of will to choose to not do something.

Whether you share or delay, it is by strength of will and our determination to decide to show restraint, and then carry out that action without fail.

Why is the strength of restraint important? Continue reading →

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Only the educated are free.

Posted on 28 March 2016 by philosiblog

Only the educated are free – Epictetus

educated

What do you think when you hear ‘educated’? Does an outdoor classroom come to mind?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote from a person born a slave and with the permission of his owner, studied philosophy and became quite good at it.

Back then, slaves weren’t educated as much as trained for the use the owner needed of them. Without education, the couldn’t function well in society.

To me, that is the point of the quote. Societies have basic rules and expectations, which require a certain level of education to be able to understand and participate.

Conversely, if you are not educated, what options do you have? How well can you take advantage of the freedom you may have, if you can’t read, write or earn a living?

Why is getting an education important? Continue reading →

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In a race it’s right to want to win but not cheat. So in life; strive for what’s yours, but don’t take others have striven for.

Posted on 24 March 2016 by philosiblog

In a race it’s right to want to win but not cheat. So in life; strive for what’s yours, but don’t take others have striven for. – Chrysippus

cheat

Tripping someone when running a race is cheating. Sneaking out from under a bush is just as bad.

What does that mean?
This was another interesting quote to research, as it is quoted by Cicero to illustrate a point, and is paraphrased for use on Twitter, the full body of which is included at the bottom of the post.

This quote is a defense of enlightened self interest. It says that we have a right to try, and to do our best, to get what we want from life.

But it also reminds us that it is not proper for us to cheat or work against the chances of another, even if they are attempting to win the same prize.

To seek, to strive, to try to get what we want, that is all natural and human. To cheat, unfortunately, is far too common, and something we should strive to eliminate from ourselves.

Why is not being a cheat important? Continue reading →

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Your descendants shall gather your fruits.

Posted on 21 March 2016 by philosiblog

Your descendants shall gather your fruits. – Virgil

descendants

It’ll be a while before this seedling will bear fruit. You are planting not for yourself, but your descendants.

What does that mean?
also translated as “your grandchildren shall gather your fruits,” it is part of a discussion of the times of harvesting, and of the planting of fruit trees (pears, in this case).

Fruit trees take a long time to grow and then mature to the point of making useful fruit. That means you have to plan in advance, by a generation or two, if you want a fruit tree.

This quote was to remind someone to plant the seeds, that the fruit trees might begin growing, and eventually, in the time of his grandchildren, gather the fruit of his planting.

In short, the quote is about long range planning, and that some things will take more than your lifetime to achieve.

Why is planning for your descendants important? Continue reading →

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The whole is more than the sum of its parts

Posted on 17 March 2016 by philosiblog

The whole is more than the sum of its parts – Aristotle

whole help

Can you make the whole group better by helping another? Whether it’s by knowledge or skill, we can help.

What does that mean?
Also translated as “The whole is greater than the part,” this quote is about how much better things are together than as pieces.

The idea is used heavily in Synergy and Gestalt as well as in non-linear fields. It is also used by people looking for something somewhat cryptic to say to sound smart.

This quote reminds us that what one can do, many can do better. At least in most cases. Put the opposite way, if you take something that works and remove some parts, it’s not as useful as it was.

But putting that part back in, the thing is whole again, and much more useful than the pile of parts it was before.

Why is being part of the whole important? Continue reading →

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