Universal Symmetry

The universe is built on a plan the profound symmetry of which is somehow present in the inner structure of our intellect. - Paul Valery 


Why not Paul? We are part of the universe - not separate from it.


(Other posts on Life) 

Insolence Is Not Logic

Insolence is not logic; epithets are the arguments of malice. - Robert Green Ingersoll 


Don't even attempt a reasoned conversation when this tactic is encountered. Walk away.


(Other posts on Persuasion) 

The Forever-after

The average man, who does not know what to do with his life, wants another one which will last forever.  - Anatole France 


It would be better if this statement were posed as a question.


(Other posts on Life) 

Important Ideas

Capital isn't that important in business. Experience isn't that important. You can get both of these things. What is important is ideas. - Harvey S. Firestone 


Ideas with a dash of enthusiasm and a dollop of dedication can make up for lack of resources in all walks of life.


(More posts on Ideas) 

Lost Poets

I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry. - Randall Jarrell 


Though we have gained much from our fast-paced world, we have sadly lost some things as well.


(Other posts on Art) 

Suicide

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. - Kurt Cobain 


That's right Kurt. Wanting to be dead is a waste of a person who could be alive.


(Other posts on Life) 

Leaders' Initiative

Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions. - Bo Bennett 


Initiative: The ability to begin or follow through with a plan or task.


(More posts on Leadership) 

Going There

Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. - Dr. Laura Schlessinger 


Sometimes you can't go there, or shouldn't go there, or aught not try to go there.


(More posts on Emotions) 

Mystery Revealed

The dance can reveal everything mysterious that is hidden in music, and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. Dancing is poetry with arms and legs. - Charles Baudelaire   


Interesting concept: One human activity revealing the mystery in another human activity.


(Other posts on Art) 

Wanting to Follow

People want to connect. They want you to do the connecting. - Seth Godin 


It's called leadership.


(More posts on Leadership) 

Get Education

Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. - Jim Rohn 


Do both.


(More posts on Achievement) 

Infinite Thought

Surely there is grandeur in knowing that in the realm of thought, at least, you are without a chain; that you have the right to explore all heights and depth; that there are no walls nor fences, nor prohibited places, nor sacred corners in all the vast expanse of thought. - Robert Green Ingersoll 


Sometime while you are exploring the vast expanses of thought, think about how, when and why individual morality should put up fences in this great field.

(More posts on Thinking) 

The Value of Urgency

Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value. - Jim Rohn 


Remember this when assigning a task.


(Other posts on Work) 

Consequences

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments - there are consequences. - Robert G. Ingersoll 


Raise your kids naturally.


(Other posts on Learning) 

Great Contributions

Great contributions are rarely done by adding another decimal place. It comes down to an emotional commitment. Most great scientists are completely committed to their problem. Those who don't become committed seldom produce outstanding, first-class work. - Richard Hamming 


Likewise, give people a break who are committed to their work - they just may make a giant contribution.


(Other posts on Work) 

Stupid Miracles

Ignorance is the soil in which belief in miracles grows. - Robert Green Ingersoll 


If you find yourself faced with what seems to be a miracle - educate yourself.

(Other posts on Education) 

Strategic Tactic

When in doubt, challenge the strategy, not the tactics - Seth Godin 


Strategy: A plan of action. Tactic: An expedient for achieving a goal.


(Other posts on Achievement) 

Difficult Ideas

A man is a poet if difficulties inherent in his art provide him with ideas; he is not a poet if they deprive him of ideas. - Paul Valery 


True of most every vocation.

(Other posts on Work) 

Poison Medicine

A crisis doesn't transform poison into medicine. - Yaron Brook 


When government regulation screws up the market more regulation will not fix the problem.


(More posts on Money) 

Angry Wind

Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind. - Robert Green Ingersoll 


It's hard to be creative when your lamp is out.


(Other posts on Negativity) 

A Serious Idea

Serious-minded people have few ideas. People with ideas are never serious. - Paul Valery 


Creative people have fun.


(Other post on Ideas) 

Easy Evil

Evil is committed without effort, naturally, fatally; goodness is always the product of some art. - Charles Baudelaire 


Is that why people are inclined to believe things are a conspiracy?


(Other posts on Conspiracy) 

It's Only Money

A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon, you're talking real money. - Everett Dirkson 


Now-a-days it's a few hundred billion here and there.


(Other posts on Money) 

Inborn In Us

The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is inborn in us. - Paul Valery 


Perhaps this is what the huckster knows (consciously or unconsciously).


(Other posts on People) 

Debt Addicts

People are buying and debt addicts. Someone will find a way to squeeze more buying power out there, no matter what it costs the rest of us trying to live within our means. - John L. Herman 


This was written well before the events of the last month. How prophetic.


(Other posts on Money) 

Buying and Selling

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. - P. J. O'Rourke 


That's why we should have separation of economy and State.


(More posts on Government) 

Remember?

Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld 


When you get to the point you can't remember if you have a bad memory - have someone verify your judgments.


(Other posts on Thinking) 

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

From each according to their ability, to each according to their ability to ask for something. That is becoming the new American way , isn't it ? - Mark Cuban 


Who-ever would have envisioned an "Asking" industry when the country was founded?


(Other posts on Government) 

Setting Your Sails

It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go. - Jim Rohn 


But when the wind changes direction you may need to alter the set of the sail.


(Other posts on Change) 

Life Plan

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. - Jim Rohn 


Design your plan based on your best judgment. Refine your plan as your judgment improves.


(Other posts on Achievement) 

Illumination

I notice increasing reluctance on the part of marketing executives to use judgment; they are coming to rely too much on research, and they use it as a drunkard uses a lamp post for support, rather than for illumination. - David Ogilvy 


Judgment is the melding of thought, education and philosophy - each of which can provide illumination. Don't use just one and ignore the other two lest you use the lamp post only for support.


(Other posts on Decisions)