The polis or gathering place for governing, the root of our modern politics, was nothing but a physical space that designated and enabled the conversational space required for true self-governing. The capacity for talking together constituted the foundation for democracy, far more fundamental than voting. As one ancient Greek philosopher noted, “When voting started, democracy ended.”
~ Peter M. Senge
Elsewhere, this is 4a1361. — slipbox
The only question that really matters, the only question whose correct answer can exert a civilizing influence on the future specialist, is the question asked by Buddha and Jesus, by Lao-Tsu and Socrates, by Job and Aeschylus, and Chaucer and Shakespeare and Dostoevsky, by every philosopher, every mystic, every great artist: Who am I and what, if anything, can I do about it?
~ Aldous Huxley
Elsewhere, this is 4a1359. — slipbox
All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice.
~ Elliott Erwitt
Elsewhere, this is 4a1357. — slipbox
The path to all great things passes through silence.
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Elsewhere, this is 4a1355. — slipbox
Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself… It has no survival value; Rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.
~ C.S. Lewis
Elsewhere, this is 4a1354. — slipbox
You normally have to be bashed about a bit by life to see the point of daffodils, sunsets and uneventful nice days.
~ Alain de Botton
Elsewhere, this is 4a1352. — slipbox