Philosiblog: Famous Quotes Explained - The Examined Life

belief | courage | flexibility | judgement | motivation | struggle

Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.
Byphilosiblog 9 March 20128 March 2012

Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. – Muhammad Ali What does that mean? This is another famously shortened-for-twitter quote. The full quote is as follows: “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live the world they’ve been…

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confidence | cooperation | improve | preparation | repetition | success

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.
Byphilosiblog 8 March 20127 March 2012

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation. – Arthur Ashe What does that mean? This is a quote that seems so obvious, but so many people haven’t thought it out. While I have thought similar things, I was never able to put it so eloquently. It starts by…

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belief | contemplation | judgement | question | skepticism | thinking

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Byphilosiblog 7 March 20126 March 2012

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle What does that mean? I’m not sure ‘educated’ is the word I would use (it might be an artifact of the translation), but I would consider it as a measure of how open-minded a person is….

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discipline | focus | goals | patience | procrastination | time

Genius is eternal patience.
Byphilosiblog 6 March 20126 March 2012

Genius is eternal patience. – Michelangelo What does that mean? Patience. Waiting, working, thinking, perfecting. That is the key element of genius. It’s not a quick thing. It takes as long as it takes, and genius will take the time necessary to craft the finest results the world has seen. No short cuts, no slap-dash work….

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belief | clarity | decision | doing | knowledge | self improvement

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
Byphilosiblog 5 March 20125 March 2012

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. – Epictetus What does that mean? So how does one become something that they wish to be? According to the quote, the first step is to say to yourself what you wish to become. Note that it doesn’t say…

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altruism | courage | focus | giving | mission | value

If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important.
Byphilosiblog 4 March 20123 March 2012

If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? World peace. The end of Hunger. The Cure for All Diseases. Noble causes each, but each of these will take generations to achieve (at the rate we…

Read More If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important.
caution | discipline | governance | leadership | moderation | strategy

When neither their property nor their honor is touched the marjority of men live content.
Byphilosiblog 3 March 20122 March 2012

When neither their property nor their honor is touched the majority of men live content. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another Twitter-friendly quote excerpt : “It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of…

Read More When neither their property nor their honor is touched the marjority of men live content.
discovery | honest | question | reflection | self improvement | self-image

Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are.
Byphilosiblog 2 March 20122 March 2012

Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. – Noah benShea What does that mean? This quote is fundamentally about happiness. I have seen too many people get caught in the trap that ties their self worth to their possessions. They feel like they…

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Today, the Philosiblog is one year old!
Byphilosiblog 2 March 20122 March 2012

Well, the blog is now a year old, and has over 360 posts up! Whew, that was a lot more work than I expected, but also a lot more fun than I expected. Onward into the second year, I hope to see you there!

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contribution | exceptionalism | help | improve | service | sharing

America is woven of many strands. I would recognise them and let it so remain.
Byphilosiblog 1 March 20121 March 2012

America is woven of many strands. I would recognise them and let it so remain. – Ralph Ellison What does that mean? This is another of a series of Twitter-shortened quotes. The full text is: “America is woven of many strands; I would recognize them and let it so remain. It’s ‘winner take nothing’ that…

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compassion | kindness | personal growth | service | setting an example | virtue

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
Byphilosiblog 29 February 201228 February 2012

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. – Muhammad Ali What does that mean? Service to others is a great idea. I’m not talking about “Would you like fries with that?” but actually doing something that helps other people with their lives. Helping someone learn to read. Helping…

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belief | empathy | habits | inspire | love | setting an example

What the world really needs is more love and less paper work.
Byphilosiblog 28 February 201228 February 2012

What the world really needs is more love and less paper work. – Pearl Bailey What does that mean? To me, this quote is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but still worth the effort to examine. With the advent of the computer and the so-called “paperless society,” we seem to have more and more paperwork everywhere we…

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courage | fear | inspire | leadership | preparation | setting an example

The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.
Byphilosiblog 27 February 201227 February 2012

The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow. – Marian Anderson What does that mean? This quote is about influence, and the courage to use it. It says that the moment a person of influence takes a stand, people will…

Read More The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.
altruism | compassion | help | humanitarianism | inspire | setting an example

The capacity to devote yourself to the welfare of others yields otherwise unobtainable power and potential for good.
Byphilosiblog 26 February 201225 February 2012

The capacity to devote yourself to the welfare of others yields otherwise unobtainable power and potential for good. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? This quote is about one of the most powerful forces on the planet, the human capacity for love. Isn’t that a good definition for why people will put effort into the welfare…

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advice | decision | focus | observation | obstacles | preparation

Before all else, be armed.
Byphilosiblog 25 February 201217 March 2012

Before all else, be armed. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? In it’s original form, this quote was intended as advice to a ruler of a city-state. It meant to urge them to be prepared for armed conflict with another city-state, or to defend themselves from roving gangs of brigands. Without arms (a generic term of…

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