Quotes

A long long time ago I began collecting inspirational quotes and aphorisms which became my collection of quotes.

Sleep

Published February 21  ·  All posts on Feb 21  ·  

It’s a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.

~ John Steinbeck

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Freedom

Published February 15  ·  All posts on Feb 15  ·  

I think freedom, ideally, is being able to choose your responsibilities. Not not having any responsibilities, but being able to choose which things you want to be responsible for.

~ Toni Morrison

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Professionalism

Published February 13  ·  All posts on Feb 13  ·  

The essence of professionalism is the focus upon the work and its demands, while we are doing it, to the exclusion of all else. The ancient Spartans schooled themselves to regard the enemy, any enemy, as nameless and faceless. In other words, they believed that if they did their work, no force on Earth could stand against them.

~ Steven Pressfield

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One’s voice

Published February 9  ·  All posts on Feb 9  ·  

The fact is one’s own voice is not heard anywhere else. It’s a challenge to be yourself. It makes a lot of courage.

~ Yusef Lateef

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Self employment

Published February 7  ·  All posts on Feb 7  ·  

Self employment, for me at least, is a never-ending contest between the world’s worst manager and the world’s laziest employee.

~ Daniel Akst

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Overcoming fear

Published January 1  ·  All posts on Jan 1  ·  

The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; Then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.

~ Steven Pressfield

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Solitude

Published December 30  ·  All posts on Dec 30  ·  

If we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone. Neither do we fear being with others, for they do not control us. In the midst of noise and confusion we are settled into a deep inner silence. Whether alone or among people, we always carry with us a portable sanctuary of the heart.

~ Richard Foster

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Luxury

Published December 28  ·  All posts on Dec 28  ·  

Modern luxury is the ability to think clearly, sleep deeply, move slowly, and live quietly in a world designed to prevent all four.

~ Justin Welsh

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Conversation as music

Published December 26  ·  All posts on Dec 26  ·  

Conversation is a musical thing, like jazz or birdsong: more ‘call and response’ than question and answer. It enables us to travel great distances, but the joy is in the journey not the destination. We are meant to sing and dance along the way, jamming with others, riffing off them, creating something new right here, right now, in a way that no one can alone.

~ Robert Poynton

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The professional

Published December 23  ·  All posts on Dec 23  ·  

In my view, the amateur does not love the game enough. If he did, he would not pursue it as a sideline, distinct from his “real” vocation. The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time. That’s what I mean when I say turning Pro. Resistance hates it when we turn Pro.

~ Steven Pressfield

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Pure joy

Published December 19  ·  All posts on Dec 19  ·  

I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe runs on an axis of suffering; Surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!

~ Louise Bogan

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Grandiose fantasies

Published December 18  ·  All posts on Dec 18  ·  

Grandiose fantasies are a symptom of Resistance. They’re the sign of an amateur. The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not com, whatever they like.

~ Steven Pressfield

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