I will not be concerned at other men’s not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.

Posted on 22 August 2013 by philosiblog

I will not be concerned at other men’s not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability. – Confucius

What if they're there for someone else? Do you blame them for not knowing who you are, or do you look inwards, to examine your abilities?

What if they’re there for someone else? Do you blame them for not knowing who you are, or do you look inwards, to examine your abilities? Do you agree with the quote?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, as it discusses our want, or lack, of ability. At least that is how I understand the quote.

The first part says we shouldn’t be worried about other people not knowing who we are. We shouldn’t worry about not being famous, or be concerned that others don’t treat us that way.

It concludes by asking us to consider why we are not famous. It asks us if we are skilled or able enough to be worthy of fame. That is where the quote author says he would look, and I believe it is good advice.

Even though today’s publicity driven culture often overlooks talent, the usual reason for a person not being famous is simply that they aren’t all that good.

To me, that is what this quote is saying. If you want to be famous, and aren’t, you can blame the others for not knowing you, or you can try to figure out how you can improve yourself. And I whole-heartedly agree.

Why is improving ourselves important?  Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, confidence, effort, goals, knowledge, self improvement | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.

Posted on 21 August 2013 by philosiblog

No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone. – Cicero

When the whole neighborhood is wrecked, do you really have time to feel sorry for yourself? Or is this the time to pitch in and help each-other?

When the whole neighborhood is wrecked, do you really have time to feel sorry for yourself? Or is this the time to pitch in and help each-other?

What does that mean?
While everyone complains on Tax Day or at other times when unpleasant things happen to large groups of us, this quote says we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves. Besides, taxation really isn’t a misfortune.

Even when true misfortune befalls a large group, they are all in it together. They, more than any others, know what they are going through, and they are the only ones there to do something about it (at least at first).

If a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake hit your area, would you waste time feeling sorry for yourself? You don’t have that luxury, and some would even say you don’t have the right to behave that way.

In such a situation, there are almost certainly people worse off than you, and in need of assistance from you and others. Whether it’s your family, friends, neighbors, or complete strangers, you have bigger fish to fry.

Why is seeing the big picture important?  Continue reading →

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Thousands of candles can be lit from a single one, and its life will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Posted on 20 August 2013 by philosiblog

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single one, and its life will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. – Buddha

One candle. Lit. Can you help the others?

One candle. Lit. Can you help the others see the light? Can you help spread the happiness?

What does that mean?
This quote reminds us that there are two kinds of things in the universe. The stuff you lose when you give it away, and the stuff which when given away, costs us nothing.

Cake or cookies are the sorts of things which when you give them away, they tend to go fast, and you don’t get them back. The best you can hope for is for some of the recipients to reciprocate at some point in the future.

However, happiness can be given to an infinite number of people, and your happiness will not have been diminished by the slightest bit. And you may find that you have even more happiness after you give some away.

Happiness can be like that. It has an amazing tendency to multiply when it is shared. To me, that is something that the quote is hinting at, even if it never comes straight out and says it.

Why is the sharing of happiness important?  Continue reading →

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Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Posted on 19 August 2013 by philosiblog

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. – Robert Heinlein

Do you feel jealous? Are you not in the picture with the cool kids? Do you want that for them, or for your self?

Do you feel jealous? Are you not in the picture with the cool kids? Do you want that for them, or for yourself? Have the self-respect to allow them to do that, but still care for them.

What does that mean?
This is a great quote from one of the great Giants in the Science Fiction Genre. The interesting thing to me is that the best authors (of any genre) seem to be the best at seeing the human condition, then use a fictional work to point out what should be, but often is not, very obvious.

The quote is from the book “Stranger in a Strange Land” and includes an additional bit which makes it far too long for twitter:

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own… Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy.”

The short version of the quote emphasizes that you have some flavor of love in you when you cannot be happy when someone else is not. For most people, there are a handful of people to whom this applies. Some apply this to larger groups of people, or even to all of humanity.

The longer version of the quote discusses the dichotomy of love and jealousy. Just remember that the last five letters of jealousy are “lousy” and that’s all the more you need to know, right? I consider jealousy a form of cancer, which twists love to it’s own unhealthy end.

Why is proper love important?  Continue reading →

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We naturally have self-interest but it should be wise rather than foolish self-interest by taking others needs into account as well as ours.

Posted on 18 August 2013 by philosiblog

We naturally have self-interest but it should be wise rather than foolish self-interest by taking others needs into account as well as ours. – Dalai Lama

Do you get all shake-fisty at people who make decisions without taking your needs into account? You can't change them, but you can change yourself. Take others into consideration.

Do you get all shake-fisty at people who make decisions without taking your needs into account? You can’t change them, but you can change yourself. You can start by taking others into consideration when you make a decision.

What does that mean?
I like this quote, as it acknowledges a basic human behavior, yet implores us to try to use it for the good of all. What do I mean by that?

The quote starts by acknowledging that we all have self-interest. There are things we must do to continue to survive, as well as things we really want to do, for any number of reasons.

But the quote doesn’t decry such an impulse as evil or declare it as something to be shunned. It simply asks us to temper our natural interests and desires by taking the needs of others into account.

There is usually more than one way to achieve our desired results, to satisfy our self-interests. However, not all paths are equal. Some help others, and others may cause distress or even harm.

The quote asks us to factor those side-effects into our decision process, and to try to do as little harm to others as possible. No one wants to harm others, and to do so without thinking is foolish at best, right?

Why is being considerate important?  Continue reading →

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See how many are better off than you are, but consider how many are worse.

Posted on 17 August 2013 by philosiblog

See how many are better off than you are, but consider how many are worse. – Seneca

Yeah, it's a sad little car. Other people have really nice cars. But other people have no car and have to walk. Consider both the better and the worse off.

Yeah, it’s a sad little car. Other people have really nice cars. But other people have no car and have to walk. Consider both the people who have it better and those who are worse off.

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is about perspective. It also shows that ‘Keeping up with the Joneses‘ has been going on for quite a number of centuries.

The quote starts by implying that looking at how others are doing in their lives is a natural and human thing to do. It acknowledges that we will look to those who are doing better than we are.

However, it also encourages us to look at those who are looking up at us. That is the point of the quote, in my opinion. It is reminding us to look both ways, not just at those doing better than we are.

To me, the overall impression is to use this information to get a feeling for where we are in the overall picture. If all you see is people doing better than we are, our perspective becomes our reality, but it would be false.

Why is correct observation important?  Continue reading →

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Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.

Posted on 16 August 2013 by philosiblog

Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers. – Tony Robbins

Would asking if they liked it be a smart question, or would it be better to ask why they felt that way? A yes/no answer gives very little information. Go for a better question.

Would asking if they liked it be a smart question, or would it be better to ask why they felt that way? A yes/no answer gives very little information. Go for a better question.

What does that mean?
This is something most of us forget as we grow up. Little kids ask some of the best questions. That’s why they are so successful, that and they try harder and more often.

Success means different things to each of us, but success (rather than luck) requires information. It requires us to ask questions to get that information. That is the basis of this quote.

If you ask lousy questions, the answers you get won’t be very helpful. If you ask high quality questions, you will tend to get a higher quality answer. And better answers contribute to success.

Put another way, if you’re going to be successful, you have to get information. To get that information, you have to ask questions. The quickest way to get the best information is to ask the best questions of the right source.

Why is asking better questions important?  Continue reading →

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We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

Posted on 15 August 2013 by philosiblog

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. – Epictetus

Don't be a dumb bunny, prick up your ears and listen. Munching on greens is optional.

Don’t be a dumb bunny, prick up your ears and listen. Munching on greens is optional.

What does that mean?
Somehow, I imagine this was an old saying before Epictetus latched on to it. It certainly survives to this day, as evidenced by quite a number of parents trying to convince their young children to speak less and listen more.

And that’s what the quote is about as well. How much better off would we be if we were a little more quiet, and were more attentive in our listening? I know that I can get long-winded at times.

However, there are some people who can go on talking for what seems like hours, rarely pausing, and never giving up the floor. Natural born filibusterers, I guess. But how much fun are they to be around?

This quote, while not stating it specifically, does seem to be urging us to shut up. It states to listen twice as much as we speak, but it is rarely that mathematical. I believe we need to be listening as much as possible, and speaking only when we have something useful to contribute.

Why is listening important?  Continue reading →

Posted in friendship, growth, improve, listening, observation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.

Posted on 14 August 2013 by philosiblog

Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money. – Anonymous

This might be worth more than a cheap lunch, but it was your grandfathers, and you just won't part with it. Wealth, in this case, is measured in fond memories.

This might be worth more than a cheap lunch, but it was your grandfathers, and you just won’t part with it. Wealth, in this case, is measured in fond memories.

What does that mean?
This one hits consumerism below the belt. This quote is a call-out to all those who pride themselves in what they have acquired. It asks them to take another look at what they have, and what they hold as valuable.

You paid money for that car, or that house. If offered enough money, you’d probably part with it, if only to buy the next item on your wish list, right? But is that what makes you wealthy? What joy do you gain from it?

Instead, the quote asks you to consider valuable the things you wouldn’t trade for any amount of money. Cherished heirlooms, the first dollar (or appropriate monetary unit) you earned, your sports trophy, or similar items.

Most of what I just named are worth roughly a lunch at a fast food restaurant. Most are probably worth less. Yet you’d have to be pretty hungry to part with the things you cherish.

The quote says those things, the things you wouldn’t trade for money, they are what make you wealthy. Not in the traditional monetary sense, but in spirit, deep inside. That’s where true wealth resides.

Why is wealth in spirit important?  Continue reading →

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A man should be upright, not be kept upright.

Posted on 13 August 2013 by philosiblog

A man should be upright, not be kept upright. – Marcus Aurelius

My car idles faster than this. I walk nearly twice this fast. How stupid is that? How many people obey a sign like this?

My car idles faster than this. In a hurry, I walk nearly twice this fast. How stupid is that? How many people obey a sign like this? Would you? Could you?

What does that mean?
At it’s heart, this quote is about a person and their character. It is a reminder that what we are on the inside is what we are seen as by others on the outside.

The quote is usually interpreted to mean that, in the first section, that an upright person is one who is self-supporting and correct in their actions. This, of course, is based on the rules of the society in which they live.

The second half is the contrast to the first, where a person is not able to keep themselves together and cannot follow the rules of their society. This is a standard definition of a criminal or a miscreant of some form or another.

Taken together, it implies that the proper way to be is to live within the law because that is how you are, not because you are forced to do so under fear of punishment.

Why is proper behavior important?  Continue reading →

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Take away love, and our earth is a tomb.

Posted on 12 August 2013 by philosiblog

Take away love, and our earth is a tomb. – Robert Browning

Life in a gray world, leaving the light to go below. Not much passion, more like a descent into a tomb.

Life in a gray world, leaving the light to go below. Not much passion, more like a descent into a tomb.

A tomb, as you probably know, is a place where the dead are placed. And without passion, our lives would be as dull and dreary as the lives of the dead. I guess that would make us Zombies, which would fit, wouldn’t it?

Imagine, if you can, a world where not only is love of other people not present, but neither is your love for your favorite sports team, your favorite band or song. No love, no passion. None at all.

Does the analogy with the tomb seem a bit more appropriate for this vision, this dystopia? Would you want to live in a world without love, without passion for anything? It wouldn’t be a very fun place, would it?

Why is passion important?  Continue reading →

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When you concern yourself with others, you naturally develop a sense of self-confidence. To help others takes courage and inner strength.

Posted on 11 August 2013 by philosiblog

When you concern yourself with others, you naturally develop a sense of self-confidence. To help others takes courage and inner strength. – Dalai Lama

This is what I think of when I think of self-confidence training. But there are other ways. It takes strength and courage to approach someone and offer to help.

This is what I think of when I think of self-confidence training. But there are other ways. It takes strength and courage to approach someone and offer to help.

What does that mean?
This quote has an interesting way of looking at self-confidence. We normally think of self-confidence coming from accomplishing things, things we can see and measure. Ran a mile? Yep! Got your first paycheck? Yep!

Yet, the quote says, there are other things which build self-confidence. In particular, being concerned for others and helping them is mentioned. Those aren’t the typical self-confidence builders, at least not from my culture and experience.

But the quote states that to do these things takes courage and inner strength, and I wholeheartedly agree. It is interesting that these are also the very attributes that are emphasized in the methods with which I am familiar.

And that, I believe, is the point. We know we need self-confidence. We know of people who need a little more. Not everybody likes doing rope work, or some of the trendy team-building methods. Everyone can do this, and I hope everyone will do at least a little bit.

Why is building self-confidence important?  Continue reading →

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Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Posted on 10 August 2013 by philosiblog

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. – Harriet Tubman

In just a few weeks, we will hit the 50th anniversary of MLK's "I have a Dream" speech. What is your dream?

We are rapidly approaching the 50th anniversary of MLK’s “I have a Dream” speech. He had the strength, patience, and passion, and he changed the world. What is your dream?

What does that mean?
There is a slightly longer version of this quote, which I greatly prefer. It starts with an extra sentence, and is as follows:

“I have come to learn that every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

What I love most about the quote is the opening: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. The Wright brothers wanted to fly. Martin Luther King Jr wanted to see everyone treated based on their character, not their skin color. Everyone has a dream of some sort.

The quote continues by reminding us that we have within us everything we need to make a difference in the world. We might not be able to make our dream come true, as we cannot control other people. But we can make a difference.

The quote mentions three things which are key to making that difference. It says we have the strength to move great obstacles and weather great storms. It says we have the patience to continue to work towards our dreams when others have given up. And it says we have the passion to inspire others to join us.

Why is having a dream important?  Continue reading →

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Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.

Posted on 9 August 2013 by philosiblog

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. – Seneca

Kindness is like ketchup. You can never have too much. At least that's my theory.

Kindness is like ketchup. You can never have too much. At least that’s my theory. Do you agree?

What does that mean?
This quote is about the human condition, and one of our primary jobs as a human being. While we can be kind to animals, plants and even minerals, the real point of our existence begins by being kind to others.

We tend to be kind to those we like. Nothing wrong with that. However, I would hope that we can set our sights a little higher. Can we be kind to those in our family or in our social circles who aren’t our closest friends?

What about humans who are even less closely related, what of them? Can you be kind to them as well? What about complete strangers? That seems to be who the is about, a random human being.

And what about the toughest task of all? Can you bring yourself to be kind to those you don’t like? What about your enemies, those who would do you harm if they could. Can you be that kind?

Why is kindness, especially to others, important?  Continue reading →

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If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission.

Posted on 8 August 2013 by philosiblog

If you want to achieve greatness stop asking for permission. – Anonymous

This is a print of the street art version of the quote, as applied to a post. I wonder if they asked permission before attaching it?

This is a print of the street art version of the quote, as applied to a post. I wonder if they asked permission before attaching it? Somehow, I doubt that they did.

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is about the eternal struggle between innovation and the establishment. Things have always been done a certain way, and no one sees a reason to change that.

Until someone does. If they ask permission to try something different, what do you think the answer is going to be? What was the answer when you have asked in your life? Sometimes you get a ‘yes,’ but most of the time? ‘No.’

This leaves you with two choices. You can continue to do what has always been done, and be just like everyone else, or you can do something different. But if you ask permission, they’ll say ‘no.’ Again.

So, if you want to break out, to do your own thing, to try to find a better way (even if it’s only by your own opinion), what is left to do? You act first and get forgiveness after. Hopefully you think and plan a little first.

Why is taking action important?  Continue reading →

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