Quotes

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

The line is drawn →

Published August 30, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 30  ·  , ,

The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slow one now, will later be fast
As the present now, will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now, will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’

~ Bob Dylan

Elsewhere, this is 4a365. — slipbox

My own improvement →

Published August 29, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 29  ·  ,

But what does Socrates say? “As one man rejoices in the improvement of his land, and another in that of his horse, so I rejoice day by day in following my own improvement.

~ Epictetus

Elsewhere, this is 4a325. — slipbox

Unjustified terror →

Published August 28, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 28  ·  

Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Elsewhere, this is 4a369. — slipbox

In care of my own faculty of choice →

Published August 27, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 27  ·  

What would you like to be doing when you are overtaken by [disease and death]? For you surely will be, whatever you are doing. If you think you could be doing something better than this when you are overtaken, go and do it. For my own part, may death overtake me while I am engaged in nothing other than the care of my own faculty of choice, so that it may be unhindered, unrestrained, serene, and free.

~ Epictetus

Elsewhere, this is 4a364. — slipbox

Likewise disturbed →

Published August 26, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 26  ·  

The soul is like a vessel filled with water; and impressions are like a ray of light that falls upon the water. If the water is disturbed, the ray will seem to be disturbed likewise, though in reality it is not.

~ Epictetus

Elsewhere, this is 4a388. — slipbox

When you gaze into the abyss →

Published August 26, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 26  ·  ,

Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster. For when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Elsewhere, this is 4a371. — slipbox

Never be poor →

Published August 25, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 25  ·  ,

If you shape your life according to nature, you will never be poor. If you shape your lie according to people’s opinions, you will never be rich.

~ Epicurus

Elsewhere, this is 4a372. — slipbox

Your faculty of reason →

Published August 24, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 24  ·  

You are a human being; that is, a mortal animal capable of making a rational use of impressions. And what does it mean to use them rationally? In accordance with nature and perfectly. What is exceptional in you? Is it the animal part? No. The mortal? No. That which enables you to deal with impressions? No. What is exceptional in you is your faculty of reason.

~ Epictetus

Elsewhere, this is 4a391. — slipbox

Blame yourself →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23  ·  ,

Socrates knew how a rational soul is moved; that it is like a balance, and if a weight is thrown in the scale, it will incline whether you wish it or not. Show the rational governing faculty a contradiction, and it will renounce it; but if you fail to do so, blame yourself rather than the person whom you are unable to convince.

~ Epictetus

Elsewhere, this is 4a333. — slipbox

The mid-point →

Published August 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Aug 23  ·  ,

At the mid-point of the path through life, I found myself lost in a wood so dark, the way ahead was blotted out. The keening sound I still make shows how hard it is to say how harsh and bitter that place felt to me —

~ Dante

Elsewhere, this is 4a381. — slipbox