The more we are concerned for the well-being of others, the closer we will feel to each other.

Posted on 11 August 2014 by philosiblog

The more we are concerned for the well-being of others, the closer we will feel to each other. – Dalai Lama

In response to a disaster, her concern for the well-being of others brought her to a foreign land.

In response to a disaster, her concern for the well-being of others took her to a foreign land.

What does that mean?
He has many quotes about our relationship within the greater humanity, but this one is about our connection to our neighbor, our friend, and even our enemy.

To me, this heart of this quote is that we are concerned for the condition of ‘others’ Not just our family. Not just our friends. Not just the people we know or like. Others, without qualification. I would imply ‘without limits.’

That concern we feel, the quote says, will impact our relationship with them. Specifically, we are expected to feel closer to them. That has been my experience. Has it been yours?

This quote applies to others both as large groups of people, as well as smaller groups. You might even ignore the plural and apply it to individuals, one at a time. Be concerned, and feel closer.

Why is concern important? Continue reading →

Posted in affection, compassion, friendship, help, service, worry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts.

Posted on 8 August 2014 by philosiblog

A kingdom founded on injustice never lasts. – Seneca

Paying back an injustice with another injustice isn't justice. It is just revenge.

Paying back an injustice with another injustice isn’t justice. It is just revenge.

What does that mean?
This is also alternately translated in the following manner: “Unjust rule never abides continually.”

This quote is an interesting observation of the basics of human nature. Humans are a resilient bunch, and we are often willing to put up with a great deal of trouble and grief for great periods of time.

However, there is always a breaking point. At some point we humans will declare that we have had enough, and we rebel against the injustice.

Those who were oppressed don’t always win the first time, but eventually, they win. Injustice may stand for a while, even generations. But it will fall.

Why is justice important? Continue reading →

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1200 posts! Woo Hoo!

Posted on 8 August 2014 by philosiblog

I now have 1200 posts!

It has been a while, but I have finally reached 1200 posts. I never thought this would go on for so long, but here we are!

While some are, like this post, devoid of meaningful content, that number is small, and I will have a full 1200 meaningful posts by the end of the month.

Thanks for reading.

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Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

Posted on 6 August 2014 by philosiblog

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill

It doesn't say how many times he failed, but the picture was a celebration of his success!

It doesn’t say how many times he failed, but the picture was a celebration of his success!

What does that mean?
We all have days when things refuse to go right for us. Sometimes we get mad, sometimes we get frustrated. But what happens next?

If you can pull yourself together and try again, well that is exactly how this quote defines success. If you keep trying, learn from what you did, and adjust your approach, eventually you will succeed.

But to get there, you have to keep at it. You have to go from one disappointment to the next without loosing your enthusiasm for attaining the goal.

If you can keep your enthusiasm, motivation, desire or whatever term you use for your driving force, you stand a great chance of lasting through the failures and achieving success.

Why is enthusiasm important? Continue reading →

Posted in action, decision, effort, failure, perseverance, success | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

A meaningful life isn’t about acquiring money and other facilities; it’s about dedicating your life to helping others as much as you can.

Posted on 4 August 2014 by philosiblog

A meaningful life isn’t about acquiring money and other facilities; it’s about dedicating your life to helping others as much as you can. – Dalai Lama

Donating blood is one of the ways I am dedicated to helping others. What can you do?

Donating blood is one of the ways I am dedicated to helping others. What can you do to help?

What does that mean?
This quote is interesting to me because it discusses what makes life meaningful. We usually worry about happiness or success instead.

The quote starts by saying what it is not. It is not the things we usually think about doing when we want to be happy or successful. These activities might lead us to happiness or success, but not to meaningful lives.

The second half of the quote is about what he thinks is a method of helping make our lives more meaningful. The method is quite simple, and is centered on helping others.

Whether it becomes your life’s calling, or something you do from time to time, it is hard to beat the feeling of having a meaningful life.

Why is having meaning in your life important? Continue reading →

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For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them.

Posted on 1 August 2014 by philosiblog

For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them. – Seneca

The more wealth you have, the more people want to take what you have.

The more wealth you have, the more people want to take it. Trouble, more trouble.

What does that mean?
This is a meta-quote, with Seneca quoting Epicurus : “The acquisition of riches has been for many men, not an end, but a change, of troubles.”

In the quote, he is talking about becoming wealthy, and getting a big house. Now you need furniture, and possibly staff. Constructing, hiring, buying, coordinating, whatever is needed.

Wealth doesn’t stop you from having troubles. That said, I’d rather have to deal with finding drapes to match the couch than struggle to figure out what was for dinner.

Whatever our lot in life is, no matter how low or how high, there will be troubles. Once you are fed, sheltered and generally happy, be careful how much more you pursue.

Why is being realistic important? Continue reading →

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To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

Posted on 30 July 2014 by philosiblog

To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. – Saint Augustine

Fortunately, I beer doesn't appeal to me. But if it did, this could be a problem.

Fortunately, beer doesn’t appeal to me. If it did, this could be a problem. What would you do?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote. Can you do just a little? Do you know what is the correct amount for you, and for the situation?

Conversely, do you avoid the issue altogether and simply abstain? But is your will-power sufficient to keep you out of trouble? Or if you waver, will disaster be the result?

That is the question the quote asks. Can you behave in moderation? If you cannot, can you keep completely away from temptation?

The implied question is even more interesting. What happens if your attempt at abstinence fails? Can you keep it together?

Why is knowing yourself important? Continue reading →

Posted in learning, moderation, plan, self knowledge, strength, weakness | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It is always helpful to remain honest and truthful in the face of difficulty.

Posted on 28 July 2014 by philosiblog

It is always helpful to remain honest and truthful in the face of difficulty. – Dalai Lama

UhOh. Did you drop the plate, or did an evil spirit push it off the counter?

UhOh. Did you drop the plate, or did an evil spirit push it off the counter? Truth or lies?

What does that mean?
To me, this quote speaks of the challenge we face when the going gets tough. What will we do, and what should we do?

That is even more important to answer when the answers are not the same. It can be tempting to blame others when things go wrong. But falsehoods do not result in the best long-term answers.

While not always the best for us in the short term, being honest and truthful not only shows us to be role models for behavior under stress, but help clarify what went wrong.

It is difficult to learn a lesson when the facts have been obscured by lies and deceit.

Why is honesty important? Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, discipline, help, honest, setting an example, truth | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Grrr! No post, sorry.

Posted on 25 July 2014 by philosiblog

I tend to have technical difficulties when I’m on vacation. I’ll have to figure out what is messed up when I get back. I hope to be back in the swing of things come Monday. See you then.

In the mean time, here’s some vintage Seneca to view… Scroll down until you find one you haven’t seen  before. There are over 100 to choose from, so get busy!

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Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.

Posted on 23 July 2014 by philosiblog

Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” – Maya Angelou

Is your courage as solid as stone, or does it need a little work?

Is your courage as solid as stone, or does it need a little work?

What does that mean?
Courage is a powerful word. Whether it is one man standing against a line of tanks, or simply resisting your own personal temptation.

Courage is a foundational virtue, without which we would be, as the quote says, inconsistent. It takes courage to say no to the donut not just once but over and over again.

Whatever vice you are trying to avoid, anyone can do it once. It takes courage to do it repeatedly, until saying ‘No’ becomes a habit, and then part of your character.

The same is true of the other virtues mentioned in the quote, as well as many others. Can you be truthful in a tough situation without courage? Once or twice, but regularly? What of kindness, generosity, or honesty?

Why is courage important? Continue reading →

Posted in character, courage, honest, repetition, truth, virtue | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

In addition to modern education, there is a need to learn how to achieve inner peace.

Posted on 21 July 2014 by philosiblog

In addition to modern education, there is a need to learn how to achieve inner peace. – Dalai Lama

Meditation is one way to seek inner peace. What works for you?

Meditation is one way to seek inner peace. What works for you?

What does that mean?
There are not many people left in this world who would argue against a modern education for the children of the world.

Yet as many people as there are who call out for a modern education to be given to all the children, how many are as vocal for teaching the finding of inner peace? True, we won’t all find it the exact same way, but we will all seek it.

But how many adults know enough on the subject to even have found it for themselves? Of that few number, how many could relate how they have found inner peace?

The dearth [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dearth] of teachers does not mean the subject is unimportant. It simply points out that we don’t know what we don’t know. Yet.

Why is learning to achieve inner peace important? Continue reading →

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But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away.

Posted on 18 July 2014 by philosiblog

But [Injury] does not give Virtue; therefore she cannot take it away. – Seneca

Temperance, Fortitude, Justice and Prudence - the four great civic virtues - How do you rate?

Temperance, Fortitude, Justice & Prudence – the four great civic virtues – How do you rate?

What does that mean?
This quote is especially interesting in the translation. The longer excerpt (which I have included at the bottom of the post) doesn’t talk of injury having or giving virtue.

Instead it says that virtue doesn’t give or take anything. It also notes that fortune can both bestow and take away what it will. Virtue, on the other hand, neither gives nor takes. It simply is.

Virtue is free for us to take to heart, and once fortified with it, we are in our virtue, unmoved, unshaken, unbendable and unbreakable. We may still be moved or harmed by outside forces, but our virtue endures undiminished.

Virtue is ours for the taking It is a warm cloak against the chill winds of random acts. It is armor against the forces which would seek to injure our character or reputation.

Why is being virtue important? Continue reading →

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States are as the men, they grow out of human characters.

Posted on 16 July 2014 by philosiblog

States are as the men, they grow out of human characters. – Plato

Why was Sparta the way it was? The people made it what it was.

Why was Sparta the way it was? It was because of the people and their moral values.

What does that mean?
Consider your national identity. It might not be true for you, but at one point it was a sufficiently common trait to label a whole group.

But the state, being a group of people, will reflect their common values and desires. Whether you agree with it or not, most groups of people have commonly assigned characteristics. The same applies to states, by extension.

Casanova may have single-handedly given all Italian males the an aura of good lovers. A couple of clever handymen may have given the US the mantle of Yankee Ingenuity.

Similarly, a few countries have passed through darker days, and were known for the all too human characteristics of their leaders, even if it was only a very vocal minority who espoused them.

Why is being moral important? Continue reading →

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Pay more attention to compassion and you’ll find you’re happier. It’s that practical and simple.

Posted on 14 July 2014 by philosiblog

Pay more attention to compassion and you’ll find you’re happier. It’s that practical and simple. – Dalai Lama

How difficult is it to take the handful of seconds necessary to push it? Put the camera down and help.

How difficult is it to take a handful of seconds and push it? Put the camera down and help.

What does that mean?
While I will acknowledge that some people are wired differently, this is the truth for the greater portion of humanity.

Happiness, the emotion, has many sources, most of which are temporary at best. But one of the most enduring sources of happiness is compassion, both for others, and for oneself.

Compassion can be easy, if you practice it. And while at times it can be a challenge, compassion is simply a decision. What you have to think and believe to come to that conclusion is part of the process.

With compassion, hate and anger have little room to take hold. In the absence of these antagonists, happiness tends to flourish. At least that has been my experience.

Why is compassion important? Continue reading →

Posted in action, anger, compassion, focus, happiness, simplicity | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

To have whatever one wants is in no man’s power. But it is within one’s power to not want what one does not have.

Posted on 11 July 2014 by philosiblog

To have whatever one wants is in no man’s power. But it is within one’s power to not want what one does not have. – Seneca

That is about five thousand push-ups, so maybe I'll just have one, after a quick walk around the building.

That’s 5000 push-ups, so maybe I’ll just have one, after a quick walk around the building.

What does that mean?
This is an quote from a passage where the discussion is about waiting to eat something nice, but only having unappetizing bread.

Specifically, in the letter he mentions waiting until he was hungry enough to eat what he had, rather than wishing for better food. That’s where the first part of the quote, about not being able to get what you want, comes from.

But what of the stale bread? You might be thinking of a fancy roll, but if you can’t have one, don’t waste your time wanting what you can’t have. And when you’re hungry enough, the stale bread will begin to look good.

To me, that is what the quote is about. We can’t have much of we want. So what good does it do to keep wanting it? You can use it for motivation, to put forth effort to get it, but otherwise, let it go.

Why is self-discipline important? Continue reading →

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