Good judgement comes from experience. Experience often comes from bad judgement. – Mulla Nasrudin What does that mean? This quote about judgement is hard to source, having been attributed to dozens of people all the way back to the 13th century. But through the centuries, it rings true. The quote, usually in two parts, says…
And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared. – Homer What does that mean? This quote is spoken to the son of Odysseus (Ulysses) by Athena (Minerva) in the guise of an old and trusted friend, as the son considered undertaking a long and difficult journey. In context, the quote is part of the goddess…
It is not fit that I should give myself pain, for I have never intentionally given pain even to another. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? Inflicting pain on others. The vast majority of us do not do inflict pain on others deliberately. In the heat of passion, perhaps we might. But then we…
Compassion is a source of happiness, while self-centerdness can lead ultimately to violence. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, this quote is about the dichotomy of life. In it we have a pair of polar opposites, with self-centeredness in opposition to compassion, or selflessness. Compassion is the sympathy we feel when others…
It ain’t over till it’s over. – Yogi Berra What does that mean? This is a strongly sourced quote: “In July 1969, Berra’s Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs by 9½ games in the National League East. The Mets rallied to win the division title on the final day of the season.” The quote is about…
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? This is a shorter, Twiter-friendly version of a passage from his book Meditations regarding time, and the efficient use thereof. The more complete quote is listed below: “How much…
Fortune gives us nothing which we can really own. – Seneca What does that mean? This quote makes me wonder what we really own. According to the quote, nothing gained from fortune (luck) is really ours to own. That makes sense, because what comes by chance can just as easily be lost by chance. Ask…
Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve. – Wilfred Peterson What does that mean? Success is defined differently for each of us. Yet however we each define it, success is something we all desire. For some, success is measured in money or possessions….
The human race is governed by its imagination. – Napoleon What does that mean? I can’t imagine what he could possibly have meant. Well, sarcasm aside, the human imagination is responsible for almost everything we have. Someone had to imagine light at night to see in the dark before candles or light bulbs could be…
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? To me, this quote is a bit of a double edged sword. If your soul (to me, this means our inner self, our mind) isn’t calm, then it might not be an ideal…
The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. – Helen Keller What does that mean? This is an interesting quote from a blind person about the difference between having sight, and having vision. Sight is a function of the eyes, and allows us to see. This is something a blind person…
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. – Chinese Proverb What does that mean? This, like most ancient proverbs, was difficult to source, but quite interesting to contemplate. In this case, we have all been there, right? You have a…
Sometime yesterday, the blog had its three millionth page view. I never thought it would be this enduring, to still be getting over 4000 views a day, even after taking a ‘brief break’, now over a year-long! Thanks to all who have viewed my posts over the years, and to those just now seeing…
I’m converting to a new theme, so things may look a little different for a while.
Nope, it’s not a quote. It’s just my life. Spent most of this week in the hospital (blood clot in the lungs – in my case, not very dangerous – they were very small), and will spend the rest of it recovering. I’ll be back soon. Until then, there is a search button in the…
