I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. – Dwight D. Eisenhower What does that mean? To me, this is a quote only a warrior could make. It is a twitter-friendly version of a longer quote: “I like to believe that people in…
Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition. – Adam Smith What does that mean? For me, this quote speaks of science and it’s role in helping keep humanity sane. Before science was established as a proper method to use when approaching life’s mysteries, enthusiasm and superstition (as well as emotional excess)…
The examined life is no picnic. – Robert Fulghum What does that mean? This gem is from his book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kinder-garten and is the payoff line for a paragraph long discussion about the difficulties of doing things and making decisions. In short, he was describing his difficulty of always…
As you develop a more compassionate attitude, you feel less anxiety, while your determination and self-confidence increase. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote is about the benefits of developing a more compassionate attitude. The claim is that there will be less anxiety, more determination, and greater self-confidence. From my experience, it appears that these…
A government which does not trust its citizens to be armed is not itself to be trusted. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This appears to be another non-quote, as I cannot source it from any of the more reputable quote warehouses. However, it is an interesting point, and I think it is worthy of…
It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question. – Eugène Ionesco What does that mean? This is an interesting quote in that it turns a few things around from the usual way we think of them. The quote says it’s the question that gives us the enlightenment, not the answer. Could it really work…
All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candor. – Walt Whitman What does that mean? I like this quote because it gives me hope. I have many faults, but I also try to strive for transparency and honesty. The quote says that people are far more willing to forgive a person who admits…
If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. – Bob Hope What does that mean? To me, this is a quote about the condition of your heart. Not the actual physical condition of the heart, but the spiritual and emotional state of your heart, and therefore, by…
Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong. – Unknown What does that mean? While this may not be a “real” quote, spoken by a single famous person, it is derived from a similar saying in nearly every culture from ancient times to the present. Whether it’s “Practice makes…
Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required. – Winston Churchill What does that mean? Today, in the USA, we celebrate Memorial Day, a day dedicated to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. With that in mind, we look at today’s quote, from Sir (along with many…
Unbiased love is undoubtedly difficult to generate, but if you practice with determination, day by day your attitude will be transformed. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Unbiased love, that’s an interesting term, isn’t it? Why would the word ‘love’ need a modifier? As humans, it seems we apply our own personal bias to everything we…
Ambition is so powerful a passion in the heart, that however high we reach we are never satisfied. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? To me, this quote is a warning about an excess of ambition. The quote states that it considers ambition as a very powerful a passion in the heart of mankind. It continues…
To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. – Reba McEntire What does that mean? This is a neat quote about achieving success in life, and who doesn’t want some of that in their life? The quote cites three things that are needed to achieve that success. It…
I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. – Bob Dylan What does that mean? This is an interesting quote in that it reminds us that freedom comes with responsibility. Ask anyone what their favorite freedom is and they will likely talk for quite some…
Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow. – Margaret Fuller What does that mean? This is a very interesting quote from a fascinating person. From her biography, she was taught by her father (a well educated man), and could read and write by the time she was three and…
