Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you in better living conditions. – Hafez of Persia 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…
The truth can make people angrier than a lie. Tell it anyway. – Teresa Carpenter 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…
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 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…
If merely ‘feeling good’ could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience. – William James 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…
From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate. – Socrates 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….
Be proud of who you are and not ashamed of how someone else sees you. – Unknown 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…
Beware of the person of one book. – Thomas Aquinas 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…
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 know about it, or have fears or worries about what you do know? This is…
Never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. – Winston Churchill 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”…
You can’t buy inner peace or wisdom with money. You have to create them within yourself. – Dalai Lama 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…
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 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…
Only the educated are free – Epictetus 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…
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 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…
Your descendants shall gather your fruits. – Virgil 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 whole is more than the sum of its parts – Aristotle 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…
