Like cars in amusement parks, our direction is often determined through collisions. -Yahia Lababidi, author (b. 1973)
This is very true. Conflicts and obstacles are one of the ways God works in our lives, not only to get us moving in the right direction, but also to pound us into the right shape.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Henry David Thoreau
"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something." -- Henry David Thoreau
As usual, I can't buy Thoreau's aphorism. Aiming above morality seems to me to be like aiming above the sky. Saying we should be more than "simply good" indicates to me a very meager understanding of goodness. To be truly good means to be good like God is good. On the other hand, being "good for something" puts a limit on my goodness.
As usual, I can't buy Thoreau's aphorism. Aiming above morality seems to me to be like aiming above the sky. Saying we should be more than "simply good" indicates to me a very meager understanding of goodness. To be truly good means to be good like God is good. On the other hand, being "good for something" puts a limit on my goodness.
Lech Walesa, human rights activist, Polish president, Nobel laureate
Power is only important as an instrument for service to the powerless. -Lech Walesa, human rights activist, Polish president, Nobel laureate (b. 1943)
Excellent thought! A sentiment we should look for in those we choose to give power to.
Excellent thought! A sentiment we should look for in those we choose to give power to.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Robert Anton Wilson, novelist
Only the madman is absolutely sure. -Robert Anton Wilson, novelist (1932-2007)
How does this square with my belief in God and his goodness? My experience has convinced me that God is and he is good above all, so much so that I am staking my life on it. But it is also true that my experience tells me that I am not infallible. In the end, I can understand and sympathize with those who struggle with doubt, but my belief in God is still the rock on which I stand.
How does this square with my belief in God and his goodness? My experience has convinced me that God is and he is good above all, so much so that I am staking my life on it. But it is also true that my experience tells me that I am not infallible. In the end, I can understand and sympathize with those who struggle with doubt, but my belief in God is still the rock on which I stand.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Joseph Prescott, aphorist (1913-2001)
To profess to be doing God's will is a form of megalomania. -Joseph Prescott, aphorist (1913-2001)
This is obviously not true as a universal declaration, although in some cases it may be true. Obeying the commandments, for example, is doing God's will, but saying so is not pathological. Even in cases of what might be called private revelation it might simply be true when someone says he is doing God's will. Prescott, however, probably didn't believe that God might reveal his particular will for an individual or situation to anyone. Perhaps he didn't believe in God at all. By now he knows the truth. R.I.P.
This is obviously not true as a universal declaration, although in some cases it may be true. Obeying the commandments, for example, is doing God's will, but saying so is not pathological. Even in cases of what might be called private revelation it might simply be true when someone says he is doing God's will. Prescott, however, probably didn't believe that God might reveal his particular will for an individual or situation to anyone. Perhaps he didn't believe in God at all. By now he knows the truth. R.I.P.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Montgomery Burns, of The Simpsons
"Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business." -- Montgomery Burns
This quote is shocking if you don't realize who Montgomery Burns is, the evil owner of the nuclear power plant Homer Simpson works at. But it hints at the dangers inherent in striving for success in business.
This quote is shocking if you don't realize who Montgomery Burns is, the evil owner of the nuclear power plant Homer Simpson works at. But it hints at the dangers inherent in striving for success in business.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Oliver Wendell Holmes
"Knowledge and timber shouldn't be much used till they are seasoned." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
I don't often agree with Oliver Wendell Holmes, but this time I do.
I don't often agree with Oliver Wendell Holmes, but this time I do.
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