Ability without honor is useless.

Posted on 30 November 2015 by philosiblog

Ability without honor is useless. – Cicero

The ability to wield a machete can help you in agriculture, or to do less honorable things.

The ability to wield a machete can help you in agriculture, or it can help you do less honorable things.

What does that mean?
A similar quote is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said “Ability without honor has no value,” so it appears to be a popular thought.

Ability, in this quote, is talking about the capacity to do something. It doesn’t matter how impressive it is, but it means you can do something.

Honor, in this quote, is all about the knowledge and willingness to do what is right from a character or moral standpoint.

Together, being willing and able to do something, and to do so for the right reasons, is quite useful and helpful.

Conversely, being willing and able to do something, but doing so for the wrong reasons, is at best useless, but at worst criminal and even evil.

Why is honor important? Continue reading →

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Never confuse movement with action.

Posted on 26 November 2015 by philosiblog

Never confuse movement with action. – Ernest Hemingway

Are you taking action, or just wandering around in a maze?

Are you taking action, or just wandering around in a maze? If you’re just in motion, will you get out?

What does that mean?
This quote was related in the book by Marlene Dietrich, who added “In those five words he gave me a whole philosophy.”

Let’s start with movement. Movement can be anything which causes a change in the situation, whether it’s the deck chairs on the Titanic, or the hierarchy in a political party.

Now for action. It’s what the director calls for to get a scene started when filming a movie. It is movement, yes, but with a purpose. In the case of a movie, it’s telling a story.

The quote asks us not to confuse mere movement for actual action. It doesn’t want us to presume that because there are things happening, that anything will actually change.

Why is action important? Continue reading →

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Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Posted on 23 November 2015 by philosiblog

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. – Proverbs 12-16 NIV

If you think a child looks bad doing it, imagine what an adult looks like, when acting like a fool.

If you think a child looks bad doing it, imagine what an adult looks like, when acting like a fool.

What does that mean?
In this translation, it is all about keeping your head about you when things become difficult. What you do in such moments helps people determine what kind of person you are.

Fools, as it says, will demonstrate their annoyance immediately when things don’t go their way. From temper tantrums to outbursts, fools show themselves quickly when things go poorly, or when insulted.

On the other hand, the quote says a prudent person will overlook an insult and keep their head. The prudent person doesn’t lash out at an insult, whether intended or accidental. They keep their head and don’t scream at the rain for happening all over their parade.

While we will all have a moment when we just can’t take it, acting more as the prudent person more often than the fool will go a long way towards helping us become a person of character, rather than becoming a character.

Why is resisting the annoyance important? Continue reading →

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He who has great power should use it lightly.

Posted on 19 November 2015 by philosiblog

He who has great power should use it lightly. – Seneca

A picture for National Suicide Prevention Day - words can hurt, use their power lightly.

This is a picture for National Suicide Prevention Day. Remember words can hurt, use their power lightly.

What does that mean?
This quote is from a play by Seneca, wherein the Greek heroes Pyrrhus (son of Achilles) and Agamemnon are discussing the fate (death) of a prisoner. Pyrrhus says no law forbids it, but Agamemnon cautions that the victor should be gentle in victory, knowing how such a killing can haunt a person. There are, of course, other translations from the original Latin.

In this part of the play, they are discussing that there are many things not explicitly forbidden, and that as the victor in battle, much power is given, including the life or death of those who are captured.

For us, I believe it means to be as gentle as conditions permit. Be only as harsh or as violent as you must, and be as gentle and calm as possible.

Why is being gentle with power important? Continue reading →

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Buy only what is necessary, not what is convenient. What is unnecessary, even if it costs one cent, it is expensive.

Posted on 16 November 2015 by philosiblog

Buy only what is necessary, not what is convenient. What is unnecessary, even if it costs one cent, it is expensive. – Seneca *

I just stepped in to pay for my gas, and suddenly I'm thirsty.

I just stepped in to pay for my gas, and suddenly I’m thirsty. Is it truly necessary or simply convenient?

What does that mean?
While widely attributed to Seneca, I couldn’t find it in his works. Either it’s a ‘traditional’ attribution, or a very freely translated phrase. In any case, I find it quite interesting.

The first part is fairly straight forward. It asks us to only buy what is necessary, not what is convenient. For anyone who stopped to get gas and grabbed something to drink or snack on while they were there, you know this, right?

The second half reminds us that if it is unnecessary, we are spending a limited resource on something we don’t need. The implication is that when we do need to get something, we may wind up a penny or two short, and that would be tragic.

Why is focusing on what is necessary important? Continue reading →

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The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch.

Posted on 12 November 2015 by philosiblog

The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch. – Jim Rohn

If you want to be a better rower, you gotta get in the boat and row better. Do, or watch in envy of those who do.

If you want to be a better rower, you gotta get in the boat and row. Do, or watch in envy of those who do.

What does that mean?
I find this is an interesting quote, as in my life I have been both a doer and a watcher. And when I was a doing things, I could feel the envy of those who were simply watching.

Similarly, I knew the feelings of envy when I saw others out doing and achieving and reaping their rewards. I imagine most of us have been on both sides of the quote at some point in our lives.

The point is that there are usually far more people in the bleachers, watching, than there are people on the field, doing. The sports analogy tends to fall apart as the fans tend to be rooting for the people on the field, but I think you understand the premise.

But the implication of the quote, if I may be so bold, is that we can be the person who is doing things, instead of those just watching.

Why is being a ‘do’ person important? Continue reading →

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A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men.

Posted on 9 November 2015 by philosiblog

A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men – English Proverb

A pressed person will drag their feet, while a volunteer has a spring in their step.

A pressed person drags their feet, a volunteer has a spring in their step. You can change your attitude.

 

What does that mean?
Also seen as “worth 10 pressed men” and other numeric ratios.

A ‘press gang’ was a term for people conscripted, usually informally, by military units to do work for them. While technically legal, formalities were often ignored in the interest of expediency.

These people were forced, under threat of violence, imprisonment, or worse, to do the bidding of those who held the weapons. These people would usually be less than thrilled with this turn of events, and were not the most effective workers.

Thus the quote tells us that someone who wants to do something will do so with enthusiasm and vigor, and accomplish what 20 unenthusiastic and unmotivated people would accomplish.

Why is being a volunteer important? Continue reading →

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Price your anger so expensive until no one can pay to see it.

Posted on 5 November 2015 by philosiblog

Price your anger so expensive until no one can pay to see it. – HereTheQuotess

Anger is a choice. Choose to charge them more if they want to see your anger. Don't give it away for free!

Anger is a choice. Choose to charge them more if they want to see your anger. Don’t give it away for free!

What does that mean?
There are times when others push us towards anger. In my opinion, this quote is asking us to raise the price of our anger.

Not in a sense of increasing the repercussions or the cost of being angry (that’s already high enough), but to raise how much they have to pay to get to see it in the first place.

If they can’t afford to pay you to get angry, then you don’t give your anger away freely. While that’s not to say that anger is a precious commodity to be protected, I believe it’s worth looking at anger in a completely different manner.

Why is managing anger important? Continue reading →

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I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood.

Posted on 2 November 2015 by philosiblog

I am responsible for what I spoke, but not for what you understood. – Unknown

Can they see the gesture, and understand what it is you mean, and where you are placing your emphasis?

Can they see the gesture, and understand what you mean, based on where you are placing your emphasis?

What does that mean?
To me, this is a tale of responsibility, and to whom it belongs. We are responsible for the words we say, but not for how others choose to hear them.

Others might hear what you say, but not hear what you meant. They may misinterpret what you say, as their mind will filter your words through their own definitions.

They also have a perception filter or framework, where certain words have very different meanings, based on their personal experiences. That could skew their understanding, right?

While it is their responsibility to understand, we can make it easier for them by choosing our words carefully, defining them precisely, and explicitly stating what we don’t mean.

Why is being responsible important? Continue reading →

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Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

Posted on 29 October 2015 by philosiblog

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. – Albert Einstein

Can you inspire with your art? In this case, it is a great photograph, but what can you do?

Can you inspire and provide value with your art? In this case, a great photograph, but what can you do?

What does that mean?
In the longer version of the quote, the balance between giving and taking is mentioned, as well as a direction for the giving (that what you make and give not to be a curse for mankind).

The definition of value, from the longer version of this quote, is to give more than you receive, and that your gifts do as little harm as possible. The implication is that the standard definition of success does not do that.

I would say that it is possible to be both successful and of value, but it is much harder, and that success should wait until after you have established that you are a person of value.

So the quote is imploring us to give more than we receive, and to do as little harm with our gifts as possible.

Why is being someone of value important? Continue reading →

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If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

Posted on 26 October 2015 by philosiblog

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. – Fred DeVito

They're all looking at you. Can you do it? Are you up to the challenge?

They’re watching you. Can you do it? Are you up to the challenge? How will Public Speaking change you?

What does that mean?
To me, this is saying that if a situation is so normal that it offers you no challenge at all, it isn’t able to change you in any way, shape or form.

Stated another way, challenges are what change us and help us improve. If a situation can’t do the first part, it won’t be able to do the latter.

We humans grow thrive on challenges. Some prefer smaller challenges, and others aren’t satisfied until they climb the highest mountain.

But with the challenge comes change. Whether it’s discovering a new ability or learning a limitation of ability, we are changed.

Why is undertaking a challenge important? Continue reading →

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If you wish to be a writer, write.

Posted on 22 October 2015 by philosiblog

If you wish to be a writer, write. – Epictetus

The first step is rarely pretty. Do it anyway.

To be a writer, one must write. The first attempt is rarely pretty. Do it anyway. 

What does that mean?
While it is usually hard to find these quotes, I have managed to find a precise source for this quote of Epictetus. It is in his Discourses, in a section talking about how Habits are Formed.

The meaning is both simple and profound. If you want to be a writer, then all you have to do is write. That’s all there is to it, just start writing. That’s how most great writers got their start.

This quote is about doing, not just thinking. It’s about determining what you want, and taking steps in that direction. You can start with training, or try it on your own, but to be a writer, you must write.

Why is writing important? Continue reading →

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Idealistic as it may sound, altruism should be the driving force in business, not just competition and a desire for wealth.

Posted on 19 October 2015 by philosiblog

Idealistic as it may sound, altruism should be the driving force in business, not just competition and a desire for wealth. – Dalai Lama

What if business were more about people, and helping them? It's not impossible, just difficult.

What if businesses were altruistic, more about people and helping them? It’s not impossible. Is it difficult?

What does that mean?
Let’s start with a definition of altruism. From dictionary.com, we get “the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others.” But how does this apply to business?

When you realize that altruism does not preclude profit, but instead, seeks to meet the needs of the customer in a useful and beneficial manner, things become clearer. At least it does to me.

What should one charge? What the market will bear is one common answer. Another might be the one which does the most good for the most people. The former is easier to determine, but what of the latter?

I don’t know how to calculate that. But what it comes down to is at some point, if the price goes up even a bit, it ceases to be win-win, and becomes win-lose, where the customer loses. For me, that is too high a price.

Why is altruism important? Continue reading →

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Whatever one of us blames in another, each one will find in his own heart.

Posted on 15 October 2015 by philosiblog

Whatever one of us blames in another, each one will find in his own heart. – Seneca

We can choose the mask we wear. Anger and blame, or kindness and forgiveness.

We can choose the mask we wear. Anger and blame, or kindness and forgiveness. Which will you wear?

What does that mean?
This is a translator’s version of “And so each man will find in his own breast the fault which he censures in another.” Yet, however one chooses to word it, the blame or fault remains in them, and in us.

While the specific discussion is on how this applies to anger, and how healing is preferred to vengeance, I believe it can be applied to all of our grievances and perceived slights.

It means that none of us are without blame. It means we are all human, and full of faults. How much of humanities time has been wasted contemplating the flaws or errors of others?

How much more could humanity accomplish if that same time was applied to more useful pursuits, like improving oneself, or finding ways to improve the condition of all.

Why is not assigning blame important? Continue reading →

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All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

Posted on 12 October 2015 by philosiblog

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. – William Shakespeare

The actors are not only on stage, but also throughout the audience, and even the photographer.

The actors are not only on stage, but also throughout the audience, and even the photographer.

What does that mean?
This verse continues by detailing our places on the stage, as we grow and as we age. While it breaks things into seven steps (dare I say stages?), that is an arbitrary measure.

To me, one of the most important things to remember is that this day, this time, is a performance, not a rehearsal. We must do our best each time, in each place we are, for there is no second chance.

The other thing I try to remember is that we are all in this play together. While some may lay claim to highest billing, their curtain call will not be delayed for their higher billing.

Together, they say to me to live my life as fully and completely as I can, for the phase of my life I am in, which is the second to last, per the Bard. And I plan to do my best at that, how about you?

Why is doing your best important? Continue reading →

Posted in discipline, doing, growth, improve, mentor, play | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments