I think we run faster when we panic, and we tend to panic when we have lost our way. The best improvement would be to learn to pause and look around when we have lost our way.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rollo May, psychologist
It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way. -Rollo May, psychologist (1909-1994)
I think we run faster when we panic, and we tend to panic when we have lost our way. The best improvement would be to learn to pause and look around when we have lost our way.
I think we run faster when we panic, and we tend to panic when we have lost our way. The best improvement would be to learn to pause and look around when we have lost our way.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Douglas Adams
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." -- Douglas Adams
I believe this is an opinion expressed by Marvin, Adams' depressed, misanthropic robot in H2G2, but it seems to be true nonetheless.
I believe this is an opinion expressed by Marvin, Adams' depressed, misanthropic robot in H2G2, but it seems to be true nonetheless.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator
It has always seemed absurd to suppose that a god would choose for his companions, during all eternity, the dear souls whose highest and only ambition is to obey. -Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)
It is evident that Mr. Ingersoll didn't know the true God, but only was acquainted with some false representations, of which there are many abroad in the world, in his "Golden Age of Freethought" as in our own. Goodness is attractive, and as God is infinitely good, he is infinitely attractive. God is completely loving and incapable of any evil, so obedience to him is the only reasonable way to live.
It is evident that Mr. Ingersoll didn't know the true God, but only was acquainted with some false representations, of which there are many abroad in the world, in his "Golden Age of Freethought" as in our own. Goodness is attractive, and as God is infinitely good, he is infinitely attractive. God is completely loving and incapable of any evil, so obedience to him is the only reasonable way to live.
Friday, May 09, 2008
M. Scott Peck, psychiatrist and author
The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. -M. Scott Peck, psychiatrist and author (1936-2005)
It seems that Dr. Peck defines "our finest moments" as the times when we "are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." The first question then is whether that is the right definition. If we say yes, then the question becomes whether it is true that those moments "are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled." Regarding the first, I would say that stepping out of our ruts and searching for different ways or truer answers is sometimes a very fine thing, but it is not so by definition. Sometimes our ruts are the very best place to be and our current ways and guides to life are just what they should be. Change is not always a good thing. Further, I would agree that psychological discomfort very often leads to efforts toward change, but again, this is not necessarily always a good thing. For example, many people are driven to drug addiction and other kinds of self-destructive behavior by such pressures. I think that Dr. Peck's advice is applicable to only a certain kind of person, perhaps the kind that buys books like his.
It seems that Dr. Peck defines "our finest moments" as the times when we "are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." The first question then is whether that is the right definition. If we say yes, then the question becomes whether it is true that those moments "are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled." Regarding the first, I would say that stepping out of our ruts and searching for different ways or truer answers is sometimes a very fine thing, but it is not so by definition. Sometimes our ruts are the very best place to be and our current ways and guides to life are just what they should be. Change is not always a good thing. Further, I would agree that psychological discomfort very often leads to efforts toward change, but again, this is not necessarily always a good thing. For example, many people are driven to drug addiction and other kinds of self-destructive behavior by such pressures. I think that Dr. Peck's advice is applicable to only a certain kind of person, perhaps the kind that buys books like his.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Helen Keller
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller
The wisdom of the ages! Would that we could convince the young of this truth! I suppose the most we can do is warn them of this reality and offer it as an encouragement. As Keller says here, only experience can really teach this kind of lesson.
The wisdom of the ages! Would that we could convince the young of this truth! I suppose the most we can do is warn them of this reality and offer it as an encouragement. As Keller says here, only experience can really teach this kind of lesson.
Peyton C. March, general
There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else. -Peyton C. March, general (1864-1955)
The use of the word "mythical" here makes me unsure what the general is trying to say. Does mythical here mean less real? In that case, I think he is quite wrong.
The use of the word "mythical" here makes me unsure what the general is trying to say. Does mythical here mean less real? In that case, I think he is quite wrong.
Friday, May 02, 2008
William Shakespeare
Page Fifty-Nine
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. –William Shakespeare, poet and dramatist (1564-1616)
This is one of the most popular quotes from Shakespeare, but it is dangerous to attribute the sentiment to him. The words are put into the mouth of Polonius in Hamlet, and there has been much debate about whether Polonius is supposed to be a wise man or a windbag. In the context of the whole speech of which these lines are the climax, I tend toward the latter opinion.
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