Virtus

Without an adversary, virtus shrivels. We see how great and how viable virtus is when, by endurance, it shows what it is capable of.

~ Seneca

Elsewhere, this is 4a13. — slipbox


Specialization is for insects

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

~ Robert Heinlein

Elsewhere, this is 4a25. — slipbox


Stand erect

A man must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.

~ Marcus Aurelius

Elsewhere, this is 4a157. — slipbox


The right state of mind

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. When I believe I can, I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t have it in the beginning.

~ Mohandas Gandhi

Elsewhere, this is 4a89. — slipbox


Prove yourself

No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.

~ Seneca

Elsewhere, this is 4a97. — slipbox


Create something

If you want to really hurt you parents … the least you can do is go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possible can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.

~ Kurt Vonnegut

Elsewhere, this is 4a828. — slipbox


Simple in our tastes

We greeks are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness.

~ Thucydides

Elsewhere, this is 4a308. — slipbox


Don’t waste time

Be a good person, but don’t waste time trying to prove it.

~ unknown

Elsewhere, this is 4a78. — slipbox


Our numbered days

Here is a list of fearful things:
The jaws of sharks, a vulture’s wings,
The rabid bite of the dog’s of war,
The voice of one who went before.
But most of all the mirror’s gaze,
which counts us out our numbered days.

~ Clive Barker

Elsewhere, this is 4a278. — slipbox


They will laugh

First they will laugh.
Then they will copy.
Don’t. Give. Up.

~ unknown

Elsewhere, this is 4a94. — slipbox