The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions

Posted on 12 December 2011 by philosiblog

The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. – Confucius

If all anyone heard about was how good the quarterback was, would the team thrive or fall apart? Life, like it or not, is a team sport.

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 abilities without being immodest. Just let your work speak for itself.

The quote continues by urging us to put our effort into our actions, to exceed there, not in our speech. Think about it. It’s one thing to have someone tell you how good they are, promote themselves and be boastful. It’s quite different to have someone show their excellence by simply showing you their work. Which is the more pleasant experience?

Why is modesty important?  Continue reading →

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We should not only cease our negative activities, but also the motivation that gives rise to them.

Posted on 11 December 2011 by philosiblog

We should not only cease our negative activities, but also the motivation that gives rise to them. – Dalai Lama

If the main reason you smoke is to have an instant bond with strangers, perhaps you can find another way to fill that need.

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 doing.

The quote also urges us to not only stop the actions that are negative, but to reach beneath the surface and find the motivation that gives rise to these actions.

By finding the source and working to eliminate the motivation for doing things that aren’t good for us or others, we can stop our desire for repeating the action that is negative. Does that make sense?

Why is motivation important?  Continue reading →

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War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms

Posted on 10 December 2011 by philosiblog

War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.– Niccolò Machiavelli

What are you willing to do to defend yourself? Are you sufficiently trained to do it? More importantly, do you know when not to do it?

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 ourselves, the quote claims we are justified, and the action is just. The quote goes on to say that the use of arms (an archaic term for weapons) are permissible when there is no hope for winning (or surviving) without them.

If a big guy like me attacked someone smaller, as an example, a petite woman, they would be justified in defending themselves. If I proved to be too much for them to handle without a weapon, then, according to the quote, they are permitted the use of a weapon to defend themselves and counter my advantage in strength and size.

Why is self-defense important?  Continue reading →

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Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds

Posted on 9 December 2011 by philosiblog

Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Have you ever done this? Watching the coals heat the rakes and shovels to red-hot is always a fun part of the experience. But with proper preparation, you are not predestined to medium-well feet. Just don't do it unprepared!

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 our actions often have predictable consequences, our actions are our own to choose.

The quote finishes by stating that the people who feel that fate is in control are not prisoners of fate, but prisoners of their own minds. They act, or fail to act, as they do because of their belief in fate. However, the only thing that truly is set is their attitude, because of their belief.

Why is freedom (free will) important? Continue reading →

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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt

Posted on 8 December 2011 by philosiblog

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell

Galileo Galilei showing the Doge of Venice how to use a Telescope, some 7 years before things got ugly for Helio-Centric scientists.

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 the correctness of their ideas, that the rest of us tend to believe what they say and do what they suggest. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t go so well.

Unfortunately, the quote continues, the intelligent are full of doubt. They hesitate, they project their uncertainty in their words and body language. The rest of us, noticing these cues, are not prepared to move forward with their plans or believe what they say. At least I think that’s what it means. 8)

Why are both doubt and certainty important?  Continue reading →

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As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them

Posted on 7 December 2011 by philosiblog

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

How do you show your appreciation to your family?

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 grateful for the freedom to peaceably assemble, you are not doing a very good job of showing your gratitude if the assembly then becomes violent and you participate in that violence.

Do you think it proper to show your gratitude for an impressive healthcare system by smoking, over-eating, and drinking heavily? Or would it be more appropriate to show your gratitude by taking care of yourself a little better? Don’t say you’re grateful, then walk away from it. Say you are grateful and then show your gratitude by doing something that shows it.

Why is gratitude important?  Continue reading →

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One can acquire everything in solitude, except character

Posted on 6 December 2011 by philosiblog

One can acquire everything in solitude, except character. – Stendahl

I hear you knocking, but you can't come in!

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 mountain top, a forest cave or a deserted island.

However, character is nearly impossible to learn by yourself. How can you practice or learn honesty when there is nothing to lie about? How can you practice or learn trustworthiness when there is no one to deceive? How can you learn loyalty when there is no one to whom you would be loyal (or disloyal)? I hope this quote make a little more sense now.

Why are people important?  Continue reading →

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After your death you will be what you were before your birth

Posted on 5 December 2011 by philosiblog

After your death you will be what you were before your birth. – Arthur Schopenhauer

She's got a lot on her mind. I wonder what part of her she is trying to improve? Is it all classwork, or is she working on other issues?

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 believe we come from nothing cannot argue that somehow, by having lived, we will go on to be something afterwards, per the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Those who believe we have a ‘soul’, something other than our physical bodies, that goes on after we die, admit that we had to have had a soul prior to birth.

And those that believe we are on a wheel, going through life again and again, understand that we are what we always have been, and will continue to be, when we’re not busy living our lives.

Why is what we do with our lives important?  Continue reading →

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Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become.

Posted on 4 December 2011 by philosiblog

Developing inner values is much like physical exercise. The more we train our abilities, the stronger they become. – Dalai Lama

While in New York City, a tourist asked a street musician how to get to Carnegie Hall. He paused briefly and said "Practice, man. Practice." And then returned to practicing.

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 me.

Actually, the idea of training of both the body and mind goes back ages and ages. Most societies of which I am familiar have games designed to sharpen the mind. Chess, Mahjong, Go, puzzles that you take apart and then try to put back together again. All become easier with practice.

Emotions (and the responses thereto), attitudes, and values also can be trained or habituated. Some people are perpetually (insert an emotional state). But is it truly perpetually, or is it more accurately described as habitually? I imagine they could change if they had a big enough reason to, and had access to methods that work. If you want to become kinder, practice kindness. Sounds simple enough.

Why are habits important?  Continue reading →

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The wise man does at once what the fool does finally

Posted on 3 December 2011 by philosiblog

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. – Niccolò Machiavelli

"What do you want on your tombstone?" "I'd like pepperoni and sausage. And cheese, lots of cheese. Oh, you don't mean the pizza, do you?" This is a little light hearted, but serious as well. See the very bottom for the reference.

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 what needs to be done to rectify the situation. After a due consideration and planning, the Prince will enact the plan to accomplish the desired solution to the problem.

The fool, after the problem has been brought to their attention, will dally, ponder, form committees and otherwise waste time. This allows the problem to grow unhindered. Finally, when immediate action is required to avoid disaster, the fool will act. What could have been solved easily and quickly is now a life-and-death struggle for the fool. Don’t be a fool.

Why is time important?  Continue reading →

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No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking

Posted on 2 December 2011 by philosiblog

No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. – Voltaire

After centuries of dreaming, it only took four years of testing, a background in tinkering, the invention of the internal combustion engine and a basic understanding of aerodynamics to turn manned flight from a fantasy to reality.

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, from scrounging for food, to grocery stores full of food.

The quote says that if you keep thinking, you will figure out. Nothing is impossible, it’s just a matter of how long it will take to come up with the solution. It took us until just over 100 years ago to figure out how to fly. It took until just over 40 years ago to go to the moon. Whatever the challenge, we’ll figure it out eventually.

Why is thinking important?  Continue reading →

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There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart

Posted on 1 December 2011 by philosiblog

There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. – Saint Augustine

There are few people more humble than those awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Please read the details of his actions, see the Photo link at bottom of the post.

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 this is a fairly old quote, I used an antiquated definition of exalt (to fill with a noble emotion).

The quote says that by being humble, and acting in a humble manner, there is an emotion which comes to you. This activity, the quote says, will fill the heart with a noble or majestic emotion. I have been humble a few times in my life, and it truly is a great emotional experience. Wow! In remembering one of those times, the emotions just came rolling back. Confirmed; good stuff!

Why is humility important?  Continue reading →

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Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears

Posted on 30 November 2011 by philosiblog

Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. – Marcus Aurelius

After suffering a nasty scratch from a cat, he decided to have a little fun. Anger at cat, gone. Peace of mind, restored.

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 is spot on with injuries to the ego, the sensibilities or to the psyche.

It is easy to become incensed when insulted, but if you reject the insult, the sting of it immediately dissipates. If you were called a “scruffy-looking Nerf herder,” how much would it sting? It wouldn’t, mostly be because there is no such thing, so it has no bite. What if you treated all insults in this manner?

Why is peace of mind important?  Continue reading →

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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.

Posted on 29 November 2011 by philosiblog

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 have you done to let evil-doers know they are not welcome?

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, the quote continues by saying that the blame for the world being this way isn’t due to the people who do evil. The quote finishes by pointing the finger at the rest of us.

We are the reason that the world is a dangerous place to live. Not through our actions, but through our inaction. Because good people often do nothing. Our inaction often allows evil to flourish. Taking action can be dangerous, time consuming, tedious, and a real pain in the neck, but it is the thing that is most effective at minimizing the danger and evil in the world.

Why is action important?  Continue reading →

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Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people

Posted on 28 November 2011 by philosiblog

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).

The quote talks about vanity and greed in great quantities (equated to the size of elephants, the largest land animal on the planet). By inference, the people showing these traits are considered as somewhat other than gentle.

The quote finishes by saying that the campfires of gentle people (presumably the opposite of the vain and greedy people) are never far away. To me, this says that there are always gentle people around you. You may have to tune out the din of the vain and greedy people to find them, but they are there.

Why are gentle people important?  Continue reading →

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