Reliable and genuine discipline comes not from repression, but from an understanding of all the whys and wherefores of our actions. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? To me, it seems that he is saying that the path of repressing an urge is neither true nor reliable discipline. He goes on to say that the only…
A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary. – Seneca What does that mean? Today’s quote is a compliment to Aristotle’s quote, which says “Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.” If you are suffering before it is necessary, you are anticipating the suffering. That means you suffer before…
We will act consistently with our view of who we truly are, whether that view is accurate or not. – Tony Robbins and here What does that mean? To me, this states that what we believe ourselves to be, we will act in that manner. Specifically, if we believe we are worthless, that is how we will expect others…
Think of yourself as a seed patiently wintering in the earth, waiting to come up a flower. – C.S. Lewis What does that mean? This guy was fairly religious, so this might originally have had something to do with this life and the next life. However, I find this saying quite useful in this life. To me, it talks…
Concentration is my motto – first honesty, then industry, then concentration. – Andrew Carnegie What does that mean? He starts his business strategy with honesty and industry, but after that, concentration is his big point, his motto. Honesty is first in business, that should be obvious. Industry, in this context is to be usefully busy, the…
Idleness is the mother of all vices. – Russian proverb What does that mean? This is an old saying, and it has been told in many ways. What it talks about is that vices usually aren’t the associated with a busy person. The people who tend to get into trouble tend to be people with…
Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life. – Les Brown What does that mean? To me, this quote talks about the human journey. Where are you going and how will you know when you get there? Life is full of changing currents, any of which…
In situations that are difficult and challenging, patience helps maintain your will power and can sustain you. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? Life is difficult and challenging. But sometimes things are more difficult and challenging than others. In this quote, he urges us to use patience in these trying times. The use of…
The things hardest to bear are sweetest to remember. – Seneca What does that mean? To me, it speaks of the people and relationships that are no more, but you are now more fond of than ever before. It might include events that occurred with you and them, or other memories. As the pain fades, everything else becomes more…
Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity. – Og Mandino What does that mean? This saying reminds us that there is a silver lining to every cloud. In anything that goes wrong, you can learn from the experience (ask Thomas Edison – he spent quite some time finding out ways to make light-bulbs…
Public behavior is merely private character writ large. – Stephen Covey What does that mean? How you behave is based on your rules, beliefs and values. These are also key components of your character. Thus what your have as your character will be a huge influence on your behavior. Some people try to keep parts of…
Common sense is not so common. – Voltaire What does that mean? Well, the meaning seems pretty clear. The stuff we call “common sense” seems to be pretty rare these days. But “these days” for Voltaire was in the mid 1700’s, over 250 years ago! And it’s still a problem. Why is common sense important? What…
We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light. – Earl Nightingale What does that mean? To me, this speaks to the human journey, where we each go our own route, guided by our own understanding and beliefs. We each make our own way, walking…
Where love rules, there is no will to power; where power predominates, there love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other. – Carl Jung What does that mean? It sounds to me that he is saying that love, when pursued, excludes power; and that power, when pursued, excludes love. Put another way,…
We should value our enemies because they provide us with unique opportunities to practice patience, tolerance and forbearance. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? He is asking us to consider the benefits of having someone who opposes you (I dislike the term ‘enemy’). It might be the mean kids(s) at school, a sibling (or two), or your boss….
