The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired.

Posted on 25 May 2013 by philosiblog

The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired. –  Seneca

In times of prosperity, access to a party like this is something to wish for. In times of adversity, just being able to put food on the table is to be admired.

In times of prosperity, access to a party like this is something to wish for. In times of adversity, just being able to put food on the table is to be admired.

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is about our focus and about what is truly important in our lives. The quote contrasts the definition of ‘good things’ in times of prosperity and in times of adversity.

In times of prosperity, we tend to define ‘good things’ as luxuries. The good things might include eating out, travel, vacations, and shopping at expensive boutiques in the fashionable districts of town.

In times of adversity, on the other hand, we tend to define ‘good things’ as necessities. The necessities might include groceries for making dinner, spending time with the family, day-trips to the park, and shopping at stores known for providing value at a reasonable price.

We can focus on whatever we want, but covering the basics, especially in tough times, is prudent. From there, we can go from what we need to what we want.

Why is focusing on the basics important?  Continue reading →

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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!

Posted on 24 May 2013 by philosiblog

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere! – Martin Luther King Jr.

Justice is blind (folded). Also not that this one is missing her scales (it should be in the empty hand), but appears to have found a seagull.

Justice is blind (folded). Also not that this one is missing her scales (it should be in the empty hand), but appears to have found a seagull.

What does that mean?
This quote makes an obvious point, but too many people don’t understand it. When an injustice is done to one person, everyone else has to wonder what it would take for that same injustice to be done to me.

Sadly, that is a question that many people I know just don’t think about. They may say that it is a shame that something bad happened, but they don’t usually consider the possibility that it could happen to them.

If you have faith in the system, and faith that the incident was only a one time mistake, that might be a justifiable reaction. But that isn’t the kind of incident that this quote is about.

This quote is about a system with bias. A system that targets some people while letting others escape. An uneven and unjust system. And sadly, as humans are uneven and unjust, so are the systems we design. Thus the quote urges us to work towards being as even as we can, so all may have justice.

Why is even application of laws (justice) important?  Continue reading →

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The only way to avoid risks is never to have lived at all.

Posted on 23 May 2013 by philosiblog

The only way to avoid risks is never to have lived at all. – Winston Churchill

Life is risky. If you are worried about the risks of skydiving, but want to try a 'training wheels' scenario first, consider an indoor sky-dive. Lots of fun, very low risk!

Life is risky. If you are worried about the risks of skydiving, but want to try a ‘training wheels’ scenario first, consider an indoor sky-dive. Lots of fun, very low risk!

What does that mean?
The complete quote is quite a bit longer, and is included at the bottom of the post. It is a full paragraph which starts by questioning the incorrect notion that we have an entitlement to safety or security, and concludes by enumerating a long list of things which present us with risks.

To live is to risk. We risk death every time we eat or drink. Yes, it’s possible we could die. People die that way every day. However it is very rare, and we know that not eating will risk death as well, right?

And that is what the quote is saying. Doing things is risky. Not doing things is also risky. Just being alive is risky. The only person without risk is the person who does not exist, the person who has, as the quote says, never lived at all.

Why is learning to live with risk important?  Continue reading →

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Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.

Posted on 22 May 2013 by philosiblog

Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up. – Ogden Nash

"I told you so, you can't work a Yo-Yo!" Don't be a jerk, just shut up.

“I told you so, you can’t work a Yo-Yo!” Don’t be a jerk, just shut up.

What does that mean?
This is a variation on a quote about silence and wisdom. It is even more apparent in the longer version of the quote: “To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.”

It is almost always good to admit to others when you are wrong. It helps you learn, and it helps them learn. It also helps to reinforce your reputation for honesty and integrity. Just be careful around those who would use your honesty against you.

As for when you are right, does anyone really like to hear someone else say “I told you so”? I know I don’t. They know you said it, and it is ringing in their ears. There is no need to make things worse. Only a jerk would do that, and you’re not a jerk, right?

Why is not being a jerk important?  Continue reading →

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Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment.

Posted on 21 May 2013 by philosiblog

Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment. – Booker T. Washington

What obstacles have you overcome lately?

What obstacles have you overcome lately?

What does that mean?
This quote is also frequently seen as “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”

This quote is about how one measures success. It specifically states that the success isn’t in the attainment of a high position. Some people are born closer to the top, right?

This quote is about overcoming obstacles. That’s why people cheer when the Special Olympics are on. The athletes aren’t likely to set a new world record, they’re not going to attain great heights.

But what they are doing is overcoming tremendous obstacles. And that is what success is all about. Becoming what you can be, who you need to be, to overcome the obstacles in your life.

Why is learning to overcome obstacles important?  Continue reading →

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Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

Posted on 20 May 2013 by philosiblog

Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies. – Nietzsche

At one point in time, everyone was convinced the world was not round. Eventually, the truth won, but what a fight it was!

At one point in time, nearly everyone was convinced the world was not round. Eventually, the truth won, but what a fight it was!

What does that mean?
This is a quote from a guy who also famously said “There are no facts, only interpretations.” From that statement, I believe it is safe to presume that he wasn’t that fond of absolutes.

Convictions are very absolute. In many cases, they are more about belief than facts. This basis makes the convictions unassailable by anything, including the Truth.

Lies, on the other hand, are rarely based on anything, and can usually be overturned by simple exposure to the truth. This makes lies a relatively easy opponent to defeat.

Based on the above paragraphs, his statement that convictions are more dangerous to the truth than lies seems pretty straight forward, and more easily understood.

Why is examining your convictions important?  Continue reading →

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It’s unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved only on the basis of prayer, what we need is to take action.

Posted on 19 May 2013 by philosiblog

It’s unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved only on the basis of prayer, what we need is to take action. – Dalai Lama

If only I could find the information, then I could take action...

If only I could find the information, then I could take action… Praying at the Temple of Knowledge. Or learning by Osmosis. But not taking much action.

What does that mean?
To me, this is a very practical and pragmatic quote. While some might be quick to use it to deride prayer or belief in general, it states that he thinks that prayer alone isn’t going to get the job done.

It doesn’t say that prayer is useless or unimportant, but that it needs our help. We have to do the work. We need to make it happen. Thinking about it is good, and it is usually a helpful first step. But few of life’s difficulties, outside of theoretical physics, can be solved without taking any concrete action.

For the rest of the world’s challenges, we have to get up and do something. What we do, well that depends on what we can do. Not all of us can help in every situation, but all of us can do something. And in the doing, we help others achieve their goals. And together, we can help shape the future of humanity.

Why is taking action towards your goal important?  Continue reading →

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Due to an unfortunate computer problem…

Posted on 18 May 2013 by philosiblog

Due to an unfortunate computer problem, there will be no post today. I hope to have the difficulty resolved and everything back on track tomorrow.

In the mean time, here is a link to more Seneca posts. Seneca will return to his regularly scheduled slot next week. Thanks for sticking with me!

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The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Posted on 17 May 2013 by philosiblog

The best way to predict the future is to create it. – Peter Drucker

Is this too easy or too hard? If you don't know, you'll find out soon enough. Observe, adjust the plan, and continue. That's how you create the future.

Is this too easy or too hard? If you don’t know, you’ll find out soon enough. Observe, adjust the plan, and continue. That’s how you predict, and how you create the future.

What does that mean?
The Future… Kind of scary sounding. Full of unknowns. Full of twists and turns. How can you possibly predict it? This quote says that the best way to know what is coming is to be an active participant.

By creating your future, you are an active player in the events as they unfold. By knowing what you want, and what you are willing to do to get them, you can help to shape what the future holds.

Think of two people in a river. One is just floating on a raft, unable to predict what is coming, because they aren’t looking around and aren’t doing anything to move or steer. The other person is in a kayak, looking for the path they want, and actively steering and moving themselves to that point.

Which one is predicting the future by inventing it? Which is more likely to be surprised at where they end up? Yes, there are times to relax, but there are also times to paddle like crazy.

Why is creating your future important?  Continue reading →

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The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.

Posted on 16 May 2013 by philosiblog

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. – Norman Peale

"Why didn't you tell her she wasn't very good at catching water balloons?"

“Why didn’t you tell her she wasn’t very good at catching water balloons?”

What does that mean?
This is a sad truth about far too many of us. If we have a bad hair day, do we want to hear that we looked like a scarecrow, or do we want to be told that we looked pretty good?

If we did something poorly, would we rather hear praise for how wonderful we were, or be told we need to work on it some more? We could also turn the quote around and state that most people would rather say nice things, rather than risk annoying or angering someone by telling them that they did poorly, right?

Yet the quote states what happens far too often. Where some criticism might help us become better, we often try to avoid it when possible, and seek out praise instead. With our ears ringing with adulation, it’s hard to consider how we might improve. Mediocrity becomes the norm, and so we are ruined.

Why is constructive criticism important?  Continue reading →

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That which you resist, stays.

Posted on 15 May 2013 by philosiblog

That which you resist, stays. – David R. Hawkins

How do you ever get past the headache, if you keep beating your head against it?

How do you ever get past the headache, if you keep beating your head against it?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, suggested by a reader. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the quote in context, so I’m not sure exactly what it means. However, it is similar to other quotes I have heard, and I’ll use that as a basis for the meaning of the quote.

To me, this quote is discussing our mental attachment to an idea. How hard is it to think of any color other than blue? What was the first thing you thought of? Most people think of something blue. Even I did, knowing in advance what I was trying to do.

Consider someone who is trying to stop doing something. Can you imagine the difficulty they have in not eating too much? How do you visualize that? You picture too much food, and then try to negate it. What we are trying to resist, we are actually driving deeper into our minds.

If we are trying to resist a vice or some other (according to our values) undesirable behavior, we will only give it a free room in our heads. We end up with this thing owning us, being the central focus of the conflict between what we say we want, and where we place our focus.

Why is forgetting important?  Continue reading →

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If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it!

Posted on 14 May 2013 by philosiblog

If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it! – Johnathan Winters

Oops! It looks like your ship is leaving! Do you want it badly enough to swim after it?

It looks like your ship is leaving! Do you want it badly enough to swim after it?

What does that mean?
This is a quote by the late great funny man Johnathan Winters. While it’s said in a humorous manner, the quote is very serious. How long are you going to wait for the perfect opportunity? How long will you wait for your ship to come in?

How many times will you let it cruise by, ready for you, but not close enough for you to conveniently get to it? Yes, it would be nice to walk up the gang-plank and be greeted by the Captain as a dignitary. But what if it just isn’t going to happen?

The quote says that you should go ahead and get wet! Swim out to it as soon as it gets close! Every time you watch it going away, you have to wonder if it will come back. And sometimes it doesn’t. What then? You’re out of luck, all because you didn’t get moving. That’s not good, is it?

Why is advantage of opportunities important?  Continue reading →

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Silence is true wisdom’s best reply.

Posted on 13 May 2013 by philosiblog

Silence is true wisdom’s best reply. – Euripides

Are there any words to ease the pain, or is silence the best thing you can say?

Are there any words to ease the pain, or is silence the best?

What does that mean?
This quote is kind of short and out of context. That makes it very dependent on the situation. What I have experienced (from both sides of the quote) is that often times offering advice simply leads to an argument.

You have a suggestion, a perceived bit of wisdom to impart to another, and they jump all over you for trying to help. What you may not have noticed is that they were not asking for help, but simply listing the excuses for why they couldn’t accomplish something.

Other times, there is nothing you can say. This is most true in times of loss or grief. Often, your silence is the best and most helpful thing you can give to them. When have you seen silence used as the best way to console someone?

And then there is the situation where silence is the best reply to a fool. Some people are unwilling to listen, and are certain of their position. Anything you offer will be met with hostility, because you are obviously attacking them.

Why is silence important?  Continue reading →

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Anger, hatred and jealousy never solve problems, only affection, concern and respect can do that.

Posted on 12 May 2013 by philosiblog

Anger, hatred and jealousy never solve problems, only affection, concern and respect can do that. – Dalai Lama

Even if it was their fault, would being angry at the cashier make anything better, or would it make things worse?

Even if it was their fault, would being angry at the cashier make anything better, or would it make things worse?

What does that mean?
This quote answers the problem it poses by stating the opposites for each of the deficiencies. Anger can be countered with affection. Hatred can be countered with concern. Jealousy can be countered with respect.

Each person will have a different ‘perfect’ counter to each, but what is outlined in the quote is a good place to start. Taken together, not only can affection, concern, and respect counter anger, hatred, and jealousy, the can help form the relationship where a solution can be found.

While the three ‘good’ emotions listed won’t help solve the mystery of Quantum Physics, it is certain that the other three emotions will not either. What the ‘good’ three will do, however, is allow people to work together to solve the problems of the world. The other three emotions cannot, and will not ever, do that.

Why is working together important?  Continue reading →

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False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.

Posted on 11 May 2013 by philosiblog

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. – Socrates

Is this the sign you want on your front door? Is this how you want to be known by all people?

Is this the sign you want on your front door? Is this how you want to be known by all people?

What does that mean?
This quote is about the slippery slope of lies. First, false words, as the quote calls them, are evil and destructive in their own right. Saying them causes harm to others, and often to oneself.

The quote continues by saying that this damage continues. As the residue of the lies, of the evil committed by thought and deed remain within you, it attacks you from within. The same lies, the same evil begins to permeate your very being. In this manner, you become infected.

Once a lies has been told, more lies must be told to protect the initial lie. And so it goes, until that one lie has completely turned your heart and good intentions to ash. And, as you may have noticed at some point in your life, once you start lying, it only seems to get easier.

Why is honesty important?  Continue reading →

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