Wisdom vs. Virtue
That is why it is so much easier to be wise than virtuous.
Enclosing a Wilderness of Idea
“A definition is the enclosing a wilderness of idea within a wall of words.” – Samuel Butler
I remember hearing this idea for the first time and being so struck by the truth and simplicity of it. To define something is to capture it, just like an animal in the zoo. And humans can view it, examine it and admire it when it is captured. But that idea is also now imprisoned and it becomes easy for a person to think that what they see is all that the idea is. It becomes easy for the idea to no longer be able to grow or expand, especially when the idea is codified, like in the Quran or Bible or other sacred texts.
Drawing © 2022 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
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The World Belongs to the Enthusiast Who Keeps Cool
“The world belongs to the enthusiast who keeps cool.” – William McFee
I really like this quote because it reinforces and clarifies a truth I experience in life. That is that a person with passion and belief in their pursuits will actually do the pursuing, will make the effort. But unless they also analyze and think critically
about their pursuit they will most likely overshoot, lose focus, overreact or do some other action that will doom their endeavor.
So, keep cool while you are hot on the trail.
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Without Art the Crudeness of Reality Would Make the World Unbearable
Without Art the Crudeness of Reality Would Make the World Unbearable” – George Bernard Shaw
I agree. I think my daughters learned this lesson well, they all seem to appreciate art and like to be around it and produce it. That is a good thing.
Drawing © 2022 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com
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The Final Test of Fame
“The final test of fame is to have a crazy person imagine he is you.” – Mel Brooks
And I thought the final test was to have a TV movie of the week made about your addiction and recovery and 2nd addiction and recovery and your ultimate redemption by getting a TV movie of the week made about your addiction and recovery.
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It Is Not Only Fine Feathers That Make Fine Birds
“It Is Not Only Fine Feathers That Make Fine Birds” – Aesop
This might seem like an argument against judging people by their cover, but it isn’t saying the feathers don’t matter. It is saying feathers aren’t ALL that matter.
Do you think feathers matter?
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Experience is the Child of Thought and Thought is the Child of Action
“Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action.” – Benjamin Disraeli
This made sense when I wrote it down, but I am struggling a bit to figure it out now.
Help me out, tell me what you think it means.
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Fate is What Kicks You in the Ass
I love this quote. It reminds me of a road trip. Destiny is the driver and Fate is the friend in the passenger seat saying ‘turn here, go there, get on the freeway, take exit 243B, etc.
How do you see destiny and fate?
“Destiny is what you are supposed to do in life. Fate is what kicks you in the ass to make you do it.” – Henry Miller
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Humility is to Make a Right Estimate of One’s Self
I wrote this quote to my daughters in response to seeing so much false (and useless) humility within the church. So many seem to feel the necessity to condemn themselves due to the ‘original sin’ idea. They are afraid of appearing prideful if they say they like themselves, or are proud of themselves and so they go the opposite direction and say they aren’t the ones behind any success, it’s Jesus or God that did it, or that they still have so many issues, etc. that any success they have isn’t really worth bragging about.
I love that Spurgeon (a christian writer of old) says it in all its simplicity. Know yourself and be honest about yourself and you will have humility. That includes being courageous enough to state your talents and skills and accomplishments. They are as real as your faults.
“Humility is to make the right estimate of one’s self.” – Charles Spurgeon
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The Greatest Mistake
I had a friend once who thought it wrong to be disagreeable. She spent 18 years agreeing as best she could. Then one day she decided she could be disagreeable and 18 years worth of disagreeableness came out. It was quite painful for all concerned. She realized then that if she had let the disagreeable out more often, but in smaller doses, it wouldn’t have been so painful.
“The greatest mistake is trying to be more agreeable than you can be.” – Walter Bagehot
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