The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. – Confucius What does that mean? This quote reminds me to be wary of the boastful and the prideful. These people are not modest in their speech. Some may have accomplished much, but there are ways of letting the world know of your…
We should not only cease our negative activities, but also the motivation that gives rise to them. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? We tend, from time to time, do things that aren’t the best for us, or for others. These are the negative actions or activities are what the quote is urging us to stop…
War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.– Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? I know this quote, and my explanation of it, will rub some the wrong way, but I sincerely believe we have a right to self defense. If we are forced to defend…
Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds. – Franklin D. Roosevelt What does that mean? This quote is a denouncement of predestination. It says quite clearly that we are not prisoners of fate. We are not the victims of whatever has been decided by who or whatever decides these things. While…
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell What does that mean? This quote claims that the bulk of the difficulties in the world are caused by stupid people. The stupid people, it says, are so confident and bold, and certain of…
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy What does that mean? This quote is about walking the walk. It’s about doing and being, or becoming, what we say we admire. If you say you are…
One can acquire everything in solitude, except character. – Stendahl What does that mean? It means you can read books, you can meditate, you can pray, you can sing, you can learn to dance (solo) and you can practice all kinds of personal skills. All of these things you can do in solitude, whether on a…
After your death you will be what you were before your birth. – Arthur Schopenhauer What does that mean? This is one of the most logically true discussions of spirituality I am familiar with. It takes no position on what that condition might be, but addresses the issue in an almost circular reference. Those who…
Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Wow, you’d think he’d been reading my posts or something. I could go the route of vanity and claim that great minds think alike. But somehow, I doubt he is copying…
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This is another bit of advice to the ‘Princes’ of Italy in the city-state era. Here he talks of decisiveness and wisdom. The wise man, on noticing a problem or on having a problem pointed out, will do…
No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. – Voltaire What does that mean? The preeminent trait of humankind is our ability to think. Yes, some other creatures can do some basic problem solving, but humans are still the best at it. It’s what got us organized, took us from sharpened sticks to missiles,…
There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. – Saint Augustine What does that mean? Humility, or the act of being humble, is about being modest, and is the antithesis of arrogance and pride. Acting in a humble manner does bring a powerful level of emotion with it, at least in my experience. As…
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. – Marcus Aurelius What does that mean? This quote is classic Stoic (as one might expect). It urges us to reject your sense of injury. This, in turn, causes the injury itself to disappear. That might not make as much sense when considering physical injuries, but…
The world is a dangerous place to live. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don’t do anything about it. – Albert Einstein What does that mean? The quote starts by saying the world is a dangerous place, which it always has been, and likely, always will be. However,…
Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. – Garrison Keillor What does that mean? Since I haven’t listened much to Mr Keillor, I will be taking this quote at face value (which may prove humorous to those familiar with his work)….
