Bits of Wisdom from across the years

"However noble in its intentions, public charity is fatally flawed, Tocqueville finds, because it denies the most basic fact of human nature: that men will work only to sustain life or to improve their condition. Unfortunately, it is the first motive that impels the vast majority of men, and to deprive them of that by giving them a legal right to charity is to condemn them to a life of idleness and improvidence." (Gertrude Himmelfarb )

He argues, "people have always learned more from their mistakes than from their success; but when the 'price' of mistakes is eliminated, the result is confusion and a loss of motivation to do better."Dr. Karl Menninger

Jim Black said, "For most of our history, Americans placed greater stock in a man's character than in his possession. The American Dream held that, by hard work and self-discipline we could achieve success. And success was not measured in material possessions alone...The common wisdom of the day taught that greed, luxury, and self-indulgence were the passions of weak character. And the frugal nature of the pioneers taught that the treasures to be valued most were the virtues of honesty, good character, and moral strength."

"The issue here is of selfishness or unselfishness. Is the individual to be governed by the principle of what he likes, or what other people like; what he considers desirable or what others consider desirable? If he allows himself to be governed by the former and does always the things which will please him, his personality will shrink, his range of friendships will narrow, his likes will decrease while his fears and dislikes will increase; whereas the person who acts on the principle of what will help or please others, even to the extent of undertaking activities which he dislikes or finds awkward, will develop new skills and in time even convert his aversions into enjoyment. The growth of a personality and the growth of a person's range of interest, skills and pleasures, are one and the same thing...Personality and its rewards are a by-product of converting one's energies into habits and skills which interest and serve other people."
"Let us assume that your analysis of the causes of your failure is substantially correct, and that you have been the victim of these outside forces in your environment. The one important question now is: What are you going to do about it? The only person in the world who can solve this problem is you. We may help you to map out a plan of action, but only you can carry this plan into effect. Only you can assume the responsibility for its success. The more time we spend analyzing the causes, which are in the past, the less time and power you will have to practice the new habits and skills which you need to take you out of this situation. The time for talk has ended. From now on the emphasis must be on action, struggle, painful practice, embarrassing moments, self-sacrifice, discipline, patient and persistent effort." (The Rediscovery of Man)

"One man of tolerable abilities may work great changes and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan and ...makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business" – Ben Franklin – hero

"System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution, it renders every thing more easy." – George Washington – hero

"We are always equal to what we undertake with resolution...It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate; to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance." – Thomas Jefferson – hero

"First was the creation of a 'natural aristocracy,' as Jefferson put it, of genius and virtue. This would be no aristocracy of wealth, caste, or privilege. Because genius and virtue are not limited to any particular class, but scattered randomly throughout the polity...By separating the 'wheat from the chaff,' as Jefferson starkly put it, he hoped to elevate worthy persons to guard the sacred rights of liberty." – Bill Bennet, summarizing Thomas Jefferson – hero


"Circumstances may be difficult, but instead of becoming their victim I shall rise above them. My reason may be inadequate but my faith can be strong. I have faith in my powers as a free will agent, able to choose between right and wrong. I have faith in a moral and spiritual order higher than any comprehended by science or reason. By faith I can accept a super-human concept of personality which gives me confidence in my potentialities. I will not accept defeat, I will struggle to achieve. I may fall but I will rise again. I may not win wealth, but I will win mastery over myself." (Henry Link)

From time to time, I'll add a few more pithy sayings - food for thought - to keep us all thinking and growing. Especially, on those days when I can't think of anything interesting to write about.

I thought these were very topical given the economic climate and the failure of major corporations and their leadership. We can now see the importance of effective leadership, especially leadership based on moral and ethical principles. Today's crisis was brought on by the greed and avarice of incompetent leaders whose only desire was for riches and power and who had no moral compass to guide them through the storm. Bailing these buggers out with our hard earned money is ill conceived at best and a crime at worst. But, I'm not going to get political here and stand on a soap box. I've said enough, maybe too much, already. Besides, getting too serious would besmirch the untarnished reputation of this blog and send all three of its readers scurrying off. I can't have that!