Philosiblog: Famous Quotes Explained - The Examined Life

attitude | caution | creativity | flexibility | opposition | victory

One must emulate both the fox and the lion, because a lion cannot defy a snare, while a fox cannot defy a pack of wolves.
Byphilosiblog 7 April 20126 April 2012

One must emulate both the fox and the lion, because a lion cannot defy a snare, while a fox cannot defy a pack of wolves. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another Twitter shortened quote, which is stated more completely as: “A Prince must imitate the fox and the lion, for the lion cannot…

Read More One must emulate both the fox and the lion, because a lion cannot defy a snare, while a fox cannot defy a pack of wolves.
contribution | doing | giving | happiness | inspire | setting an example

An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.
Byphilosiblog 6 April 20126 April 2012

An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it. – Maurice Maeterlinck What does that mean? This quote says what I believe is a fundamental truth of life. Acts of goodness are a tremendous source of happiness. Every…

Read More An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. No reward coming after the event can compare with the sweet reward that went with it.
compassion | contribution | governance | leadership | service | wisdom

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law.
Byphilosiblog 5 April 20125 April 2012

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law. – Thomas Hobbes What does that mean? Think about that for a moment. It would be nice if wisdom wrote the law, wouldn’t it? How many of you can think of some silly law that might have had a reason for existing, but is just…

Read More It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law.
action | motivation | perseverance | struggle | time | victory

There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.
Byphilosiblog 4 April 20124 April 2012

There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory. – Francis Drake What does that mean? How many people start things, then stop working on it? This famous explorer made it all the way around the world, and didn’t stop. By…

Read More There must be a beginning of any great matter, but the continuing unto the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory.
caring | compassion | happiness | help | kindness | setting an example

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.
Byphilosiblog 3 April 20123 April 2012

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. – Washington Irving What does that mean? This quote is about a rather straight forward observation. Those who are kind-hearted tend to radiate gladness, or happiness. The use of the word fountain implies a never ending stream of gladness, pouring out…

Read More A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.
attitude | creativity | effort | focus | habits | happiness

I feel sorry for the person who can’t get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile.
Byphilosiblog 2 April 20122 April 2012

I feel sorry for the person who can’t get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile. – Walter Chrysler What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, as it talks about excitement and satisfaction and how they relate to work. I don’t know…

Read More I feel sorry for the person who can’t get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile.
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Hooray! Today marks my 400th post!
Byphilosiblog 1 April 2012

Today’s post is #400 (this post should be #401). Thanks for reading, and I hope to get some feedback from you soon. Thanks!

Read More Hooray! Today marks my 400th post!
ideals | improve | motivation | obstacles | personal growth | potential

All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.
Byphilosiblog 1 April 20121 April 2012

All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? It means nothing in life is easy. If you want something, you have to work for it. Yes, things come easier to some than others, but the…

Read More All good qualities must be sown and cultivated. We can’t expect to change overnight from an ordinary person into one with high realizations.
clarity | communication | decision | integrity | leadership | motivation

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
Byphilosiblog 31 March 201230 March 2012

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This one got a chuckle out of me, as I have been on both sides of this quote. If you are expecting someone to be a leader, and they don’t know how to lead, it’s really hard to follow…

Read More He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.
belief | clarity | desire | dream | inspire | motivation

Dream. Let nothing dim the light that shines within you.
Byphilosiblog 30 March 201229 March 2012

Dream. Let nothing dim the light that shines within you. – Maya Angelou What does that mean? To me, this quote says that we all have an inner light, a dream, within us. This is something important for each of us to know, nurture, and empower. What is a dream, if not a heartfelt desire to achieve an outcome? We all have dreams, but how…

Read More Dream. Let nothing dim the light that shines within you.
caution | compassion | help | knowledge | preparation | setting an example

Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first.
Byphilosiblog 29 March 201228 March 2012

Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first. – Pearl Bailey What does that mean? How often have you seen it in movies, someone is on the ground and a crowd of people surround them. Yet everyone hesitates. No one approaches, they all just look. Who will be the first to step into the circle and approach the person on the ground? The…

Read More Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first.
caring | emotion | forgiveness | friendship | happiness | sharing

Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.
Byphilosiblog 28 March 201228 March 2012

Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is. – Maxim Gorky What does that mean? If you’ve ever been to a wedding and seen the father of the bride cry, you know what this quote means means….

Read More Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.
attitude | caring | empathy | gentle | help | kindness

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
Byphilosiblog 27 March 201227 March 2012

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. – John Watson (aka Ian MacLaren) What does that mean? This is often misattributed to Plato and Philo, but is far more recent than that. It was also originally worded slightly differently, but this is good in modern English. See the ‘confirmed’ link below for…

Read More Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
action | attitude | confidence | freedom | repetition | success

Freedom lies in being bold.
Byphilosiblog 26 March 201225 March 2012

Freedom lies in being bold. – Robert Frost What does that mean? Let’s start by looking at the opposite. As opposite of free that I can think of is being a prisoner. By definition they have no freedom. How bold are they? Other than the occasional ‘bold and daring escape attempt,’ bold is usually only seen in…

Read More Freedom lies in being bold.
anger | calm | emotion | power | setting an example | struggle

Actions driven solely by anger are of no use at all; realizing this can help strengthen your determination to resist it.
Byphilosiblog 25 March 201225 April 2014

Actions driven solely by anger are of no use at all; realizing this can help strengthen your determination to resist it. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Does anger really accomplish anything? Some might say that it is useful for motivation, but there are few other things of which I can think that it can do…

Read More Actions driven solely by anger are of no use at all; realizing this can help strengthen your determination to resist it.