Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. – Oscar Wilde What does that mean? To me, this quote is about individuality and uniqueness of each of us. We are each unique, even identical twins. While they may act like each other, each one has their own wants and desires, making them different. Everyone else is…
To see the right and not to do it is cowardice. ~ Confucius What does that mean? To me, this quote sounds a little clunky. I presume it has to do with how and when it was translated. I would reword it to say “To see and know what the correct thing to do is…
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. – Vince Lombardi What does that mean? Perfection is one of those words we use too lightly. Almost nothing is perfect. We look at something we like (perhaps a great work of art) and call it perfection. A pitcher throws a perfect game…
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. – Arthur C. Clarke What does that mean? This is the age-old truth of mankind. Was the horseless carriage powered by magic, or a small steam engine? What kind of magic made the telegraph work? What about the magic box that repeated what others said miles away (radio or…
We must generate courage equal to the size of the difficulties we face. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, this speaks about rising to the challenge. If our difficulties become greater, we must bring our courage up to match it. When we don’t have courage that is equal to the difficulty that we…
If you would judge, understand. – Seneca What does that mean? I would expand this slightly to state “If you would judge, first you must understand.” I don’t know if he was carving all his quotes into stone, or if he was a minimalist, but so many of these quotes are just so terse it…
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. – Dale Carnegie This is a twitter-friendly quote, part of a longer quote: “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” What does that…
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson What does that mean? Here, I think he is saying that it’s hard to be wise if you are a liar. If you are a liar, how could anyone believe you even if you somehow managed to become wise? I say that…
Those that are most slow in making a promise are the most faithful in the performance of it. – Rousseau What does that mean? To me, this is as much a cautionary statement as anything. It cautions us to be wary of those who would quickly make promises, as they may back out of them…
Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. – Saint Augustine What does that mean? To me this speaks to the root of charity, and charity is part of giving with love. We all have areas where we have more than we need, and areas where…
One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving. – Amy Carmichael Similarly stated as “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” to Robert Louis Stevenson. What does that mean? The first half of the quote says that one give without loving. I would agree with that. How…
Anger cannot be overcome by anger. If a person shows anger to you, and you show anger in return, the result is a disaster. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, this speaks to a fundamental truth of life. If you return anger for anger, you end up in a situation that can only…
In war there is no prize for runner-up. – Seneca What does that mean? This is an interesting quote, as time is showing this quote to have a few cracks in it. It used to be that in wars, there were two sides and when it was done, there was a clear winner and a clear…
Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times. – Aeschylus What does that mean? From the Father of the Greek Tragedy, this is an interesting quote. He states that happiness is a choice. I believe this to be true. Things happen which we apply labels to, depending on how the event impacts us. Sometimes we…
Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble. – Frank Tyger What does that mean? This one has been said many times by many people. Two ears, one mouth; use in proper proportions. I’m fairly certain that all of you have something like this at some point in your lives, and…
