The good things of prosperity are to be wished; but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired. – Seneca 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…
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere! – Martin Luther King Jr. 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…
The only way to avoid risks is never to have lived at all. – Winston Churchill 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…
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up. – Ogden Nash 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…
Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment. – Booker T. Washington 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…
Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies. – Nietzsche 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…
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 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…
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!
The best way to predict the future is to create it. – Peter Drucker 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…
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. – Norman Peale 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,…
That which you resist, stays. – David R. Hawkins 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…
If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it! – Johnathan Winters 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…
Silence is true wisdom’s best reply. – Euripides 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…
Anger, hatred and jealousy never solve problems, only affection, concern and respect can do that. – Dalai Lama 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…
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. – Socrates 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….
