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BS: Words of Wisdom
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Subject: Words of Wisdom From: Little Neophyte Date: 05 Oct 99 - 09:42 PM Two monks on a pilgrimage came to the ford of a river. There they saw a girl dressed in all her finery, obviously not knowing what to do since the river was high and she did not want to spoil her clothes. Without more ado, one of the monks took her on his back, carried her across and put her down on dry ground on the other side. Then the monks continued on their way. But the other monk after an hour started complaining. "Surely it is not right to touch a woman; it is against the commandments to have close contact with women. How could you go against the rules of monks? The monk who had carried the girl walked along silently, but finally he remarked, "I set her down by the river an hour ago, why are you still carrying her?" Irmgard Schloegl, The Wisdom of Zen Masters |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Oct 99 - 10:34 PM Uh, yeah....That,uh...real good Phyte........Sure thing there.....really, uh........well, that'd be about it........umhumm.......eeyeah...... Hey I did read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" though!!! Spaw - (Could someone help me here? The temptation to throw in a 7000 word Jack Tale at this point is just unbelievable!!!) |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Little Neophyte Date: 05 Oct 99 - 10:48 PM Did I do something wrong Catspaw? |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Neil Lowe Date: 05 Oct 99 - 10:53 PM ....don't let it bother you, li'l phyte.....somethimes it takes a while for the medication to take effect. I liked your words of wisdom...stuff like that is right up my alley. Regards, Neil |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Jeri Date: 05 Oct 99 - 10:53 PM No, LN! You got philosophical (I liked it) and Spaw is still working on trying to say his entire name in one burp. |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Oct 99 - 11:02 PM LMAO....I'm really starting to love you more all the time Phyte!!! My sense of humor takes some getting used to...in my case, insults are the sincerest form of flattery! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: katlaughing Date: 05 Oct 99 - 11:18 PM A very beautiful and significant story, "daughter dear" and remember what I said about ole 'Spaw; his heart is on the left side, which in all our cases, is the right side, so he is of the same species and quite lovable, once you get used to that biting veneer he uses for aftershave every morning.**BG** luvya'llKat |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Date: 05 Oct 99 - 11:32 PM the wisdom of little neo....applies the "battle of the gargoyle"
why are you still fighting it?
NO ONE....can become a "Joy Robber" unless you permit them access to your treasure. |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: JedMarum Date: 06 Oct 99 - 12:09 AM little neophyte - nice words, nice story, lessons we see here sometimes. Jesus made a similar response when he was taken to task for allowing his followers to pick and prepare food from a field they were passing on the Sabbath. |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: MAG (inactive) Date: 06 Oct 99 - 05:16 PM How interesting! I just posted a version ofthe same story on Storytell for someone who was looking for stories on the futility of resentment and bitterness. |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: annamill Date: 07 Oct 99 - 12:06 PM Catspaw, I'm in the process of reading "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" right now. In between my Clymer manual and Easyrider Electrical. What fun. I'm putting the riser and handlebars on next week(after FSGW) and then I'm going to tackle the Electrics. L'il Neo, I enjoyed the story. Love, annap |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Marion Date: 07 Oct 99 - 12:19 PM Another story I really like (and if anyone knows the source I'd like to know it - I think it's from a Hindu saint from this century, but I can never remember his name). A wise man went down to sit by the river and pray, when he saw a scorpion clinging to the reeds at the bank and struggling to avoid being swept away by the river. The man stretched out his hand to rescue the scorpion, and the scorpion stung him. He tried again, and the scorpion stung him again. Someone who was walking by saw this and said, "Why on earth would you want to save a scorpion? And anyway, it's just going to sting you for your efforts. That's its nature." The wise man simply said, "It's my nature to save." Marion PS To Little Neophyte - glad to have you on board; I'm a vegetarian too. Do you ever go to Vegsource? Its discussion boards (especially Biospirituality) are where I hang out when I'm not here. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: katlaughing Date: 07 Oct 99 - 12:45 PM Hey, Marion, thanks for making that link. I am going to go check it out. This is a particularly rough time for us veggies in Wyo....hunting season. kat |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Little Neophyte Date: 07 Oct 99 - 05:58 PM Marion, I tend to hang out with meat eaters to strengthen my discipline. |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: katlaughing Date: 07 Oct 99 - 06:02 PM From Lil Neo to WOS in a matter of days! My, my,.... my work must be done!!! Live long and prosper, young'un and may the force be with you, Wise Old SageWalker!**BG** |
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Subject: RE: Words of Wisdom From: Date: 07 Oct 99 - 06:16 PM I heard it said that wisdom is what you get when you're too old for it to do you any good. It's what the intelligent persons figures out as the result of having done all the wrong things. (Cheer up, wisdom isn't contageous.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 24 Mar 07 - 08:05 PM George Carlin's views on Aging (Absolutely Brilliant ) Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!! But then you turn 30 Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed? You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92." Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!! HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them." 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 24 Mar 07 - 09:32 PM (Cheer up, wisdom isn't contageous.) Somebody should tell George that... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: katlaughing Date: 25 Mar 07 - 12:22 AM Great post, Amos, thanks! Fools, sure wish someone would tell him! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Georgiansilver Date: 25 Mar 07 - 08:44 AM Wisdom is something that may rarely be there at the time but is great in retrospect. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: mack/misophist Date: 25 Mar 07 - 09:32 AM One small cavil about the zen storey. In the dozens of times I've seen it, it's always been a huge puddle after a rain storm, not a river. Just thought I'd mention it. Can't have revisionism creeping in on a folk forum. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 25 Mar 07 - 04:23 PM Funnily enough a uni lecturer told me that very story this afternoon !!! In his version,it was a river. Maturity is what you do after you've tried everything else. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 25 Mar 07 - 04:42 PM I've told that tale for years, and it was a muddy village street. Gawd only knows where it originated! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Georgiansilver Date: 25 Mar 07 - 05:04 PM Just as people reach full maturity they die so we can never know what it is really like! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 25 Mar 07 - 06:06 PM Codswallop, sirrah. Maturity is not a point, and if it were a point it would occur before senility and death. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:59 PM A. Eh? No-one (i.e. not-I) said maturity was a point. The quote is implying it's a stage,an arena, even a steady-state. Thus I wallop back your cods,forsooth, sir. I. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Donuel Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:08 PM Everyone who reads and or writes here has had their lives saved by people who have risked losing their honor, who have disobeyed orders, who have acted contrary to protocol. These are the people who refused to launch nuclear weapons as commanded. In every case the impetus for launch turned out to be non threatening scenarios like weather satillites or computer malfunctions. Pray that there will be such heros in the future willing to risk all that they were trained to be important and err on the side of caution. They are not traitors, disobedient or losers, they are he silent heros. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:09 PM AN it be not a point, sir, your proposition of its unknowability is given the lie thereby! SO wallop I both your cods. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:27 PM I know not of any unknowability in my aforementioned quotidien quotation, my lord, and thus your cods,codzooks,remain in your parlour unril (even until) you make your plashy meaning pikestaff-clear. verily I say for the nons that maturity is that stage wherewithall we enter unto in following the exhaustion of all other alleys,sallies,and byways,of which there is such plenitude that most ne'er achieve the headiness of such as maturity;surely vouchsafed for the truly wise amd in no wise for the prolix or the dull. Serves three. (Ah. Wrong thread) And I haven't got the supernal channel wherewith I might partake of the , for want of a better word,achievements, of our national leather (?) strikers and upenderers. Forsooth.'Sooth. 'Sooth. @sooth. And 'sooth. Little does that varlet know that I', a 'sooth-sayer. I. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:35 PM KINDNESS "It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than 'try to be a little kinder.'" Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) British novelist |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Bill D Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:52 PM "Don't do too good of a job....folks will begin to expect it." Talkin' John, old carpenter (he followed his own advice) "Science, contrary to popular belief, is not a system for moving gradually from uncertainty to certainty, but instead is a way to formally challenge any prevailing theory." Paul Lutus |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:56 PM To know that you do not know is the beginning of wisdom. Socrates-baby. I. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,meself Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:28 PM Didn't Dick Cheney get mocked, scorned and ridiculed for saying something like that? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: fat B****rd Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:35 PM The secret of a happy life is to like what you do not to do what you like. From a toilet wall in Grimsby. c. 1966 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,meself Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:37 PM Does that sentence need a comma? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Mar 07 - 04:46 PM Either that or there are some pr etty subtle thinkers in Grimsby. And why not. I. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Mar 07 - 05:34 PM Dick Cheney may have been mocked,ridiculed,but he wasn't forced to drink hemlock. I |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Mrrzy Date: 28 Mar 07 - 09:52 PM Now THAT's an idea! Pick your fights - save your energy for where it matters. The plural of anecdote is not data. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,meself Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:28 PM Anecdata, then? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Metchosin Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:53 PM Just heard this one today and it came at an opportune moment and while it may be familiar to others, if I had heard it before, I needed reminding..... Old Chinese Proverb We cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over our heads But we must keep them from building nests in our hair. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Donuel Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:56 AM thanks Amos, I will |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Georgiansilver Date: 29 Mar 07 - 02:45 AM Man who take woman to woods up big hill....him not on level. Woman who fly plane upside down...crack up. Man who eat much beans change with wind. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Mr Fox Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:27 AM While chain swing, seat will be warm. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: *daylia* Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:47 AM "I set her down by the river an hour ago, why are you still carrying her?" Hmmm. I've heard different versions of this little story all my life. I appreciate the common sense of course (ie better to live in the present than the past), but something about it always bothered me ie There's nothing wrong with pondering/analysing one's own past behaviour and experiences, then questioning or clarifying same if need be. There's nothing wrong with asking questions, in my book! And self-examination, as well as examination of one's beliefs and traditions is not only healthy but wise. So, no offence to the Masters of Zen, but I say -- human beings have had the mental capacity for honest reflection, analysis, self-examination etc for at least a few millenia by now. So, why are you folks grumbling about it? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:15 AM Re the original story, 1. For "why are you still carrying her?2,try substituting, "what's it to you?" and see i how that sits with you. 2. The story may be making a point about how we don't let go of old stuff,which thereby becomes a burden or hindrance,preventing us from fully engaging with the present. I. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,ib48 Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:25 PM OOH ERR MR GRIMSDALE |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,meself Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:55 PM daylia: I think you're missing the sexual undercurrent of the story. The initial issue is not simply that the monk broke a rule, but that he put himself in a compromising situation with a woman, and may have been experiencing some un-monkly titillation in the process. The implication of the monk's response to the rebuke is that it is the OTHER monk who clearly has been unduly distracted by un-monkly thoughts. In other words, it is the other monk who is showing evidence of sexual obsession. So the story illustrates a type of hypocrisy. Jesus said the same thing in effect on more than one occasion: "Remove the beam from your own eye before complaining of the mote in the eye of another" (to paraphrase); "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone", etc. This story actually ENCOURAGES self-examination - the message is to examine your own thoughts and motivations before criticizing others. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: *daylia* Date: 29 Mar 07 - 01:35 PM The story may be making a point about how we don't let go of old stuff,which thereby becomes a burden or hindrance,preventing us from fully engaging with the present. Yes, that's the first undercurrent I saw in the story. Also a version of mind your own business, and a rather ambiguous value judgement re shared beliefs, rules, traditions, authority etc and appropriate behaviour and choices regarding same. As to a being a statement re hypocrisy and/or sexual obsession, hmmmm -- methinks thats interesting and methanks you for your thoughts, meself. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 03 Apr 07 - 04:49 PM SOLITUDE |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: polaitaly Date: 04 Apr 07 - 04:45 PM I remember a definition of maturity that I heard somewhere and found very true: "You are an adult when you do the right thing EVEN IF mom has told you so." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 04 Apr 07 - 04:51 PM Ciao, Pola! Benvenuto! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: polaitaly Date: 04 Apr 07 - 05:07 PM Hallo, Amos! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:11 AM SOUL SEARCHING Most of us are not inclined to do much soul-searching when things are going well. And therein, old friend, lies the up side of down times. Charles Anderson |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: George Papavgeris Date: 05 Apr 07 - 09:25 AM Retirement at 20! Employment at 60! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 25 Apr 07 - 01:23 PM
Be faithful to that which exists within yourself. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Bill D Date: 25 Apr 07 - 02:01 PM "When you want to test the depths of a stream, don't use both feet." Chinese proverb |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Micca Date: 25 Apr 07 - 05:04 PM This was framed on my office wall " Gasoline (Petrol) is NOT a good liquid with which to fight a fire" I think it was intended to caution against confrontation as a method of dealing with crises(I couuld be wrong) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Wesley S Date: 25 Apr 07 - 05:11 PM In Texas we say "Never squat with your spurs on". And my favorite - "Just because you can doesn't mean you should". |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 26 Apr 07 - 09:11 AM "To know that you do not know is the beginning of wisdom. Socrates-baby." To know what you do not know is the beginning of a splitting headache. Don Ts-baby |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 26 Apr 07 - 09:38 AM RESENTMENT Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Cindy Clabough |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,ib48 Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:58 AM OHH,ERR MR GRIMSDALE |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:45 AM Another definition of maturity I like is, "Maturity is what you do after you've tried everything else." I quite agree about the value of connecting to one's core. Alas so many resist doing so,as I've found as a therapist,regarding such a thing as self-indulgence,navel-gazing,narcissism,extreme individualism. Not to mention 'frightening' or potentially dangerous. Ivor |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,carl Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:24 PM The high cost of living is only a joke its the high cost of loving that's keeping me broke. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: frogprince Date: 28 Apr 07 - 06:28 PM We can give our children only two things. The first one is roots; the other is wings. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Skivee Date: 01 May 07 - 12:24 AM A young samurai was walking along the beach of a northern province. Feeling very sure of his great fighting skills, he was looking for anyone to fight. He was known for his crass spirit. In the distance, he saw an old man approaching. He proved to be an old member of a rival clan. The young man, whose name was Ota, drew his katana and challenged his opponent with great insult. The old man's sword was out and ready with such speed that Ota was filled with fear. They stood motionless on the beach, in saiza position as the tide moved in. After many minutes, the old man spoke. "The tide rises, and I should prefer to not allow my hakama to get wet...and besides, you are not ready." With the smallest of smirks, he resheathed his sword and continued around the petrified youth. As he passed the young foolish samauri, the old man loudly passed wind, drew his flashing sword again and cut the bully through the neck, killing him instantly. If there is a moral to this story, it is that youthful enthusiasm can be overcome by old farts and ancient cunning. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:01 PM IGNORANCE I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed. Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace-Prize Speech |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,BUDDA Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:48 PM Rules are for the guidance of the wise, and blind obedience of fools |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 23 Jun 07 - 10:34 AM A witty saying proves nothing -- Voltaire Common sense is not so common. -- Voltaire Doubt is not a pleasent condition, but certainty is absurd -- Voltaire The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...' -- Isaac Asimov It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -- Aristotle The crux. . . is that the vast majority of the mass in the universe seems to be missing. -- Willliam J. Broad For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled -- Richard Feynman Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting. --John Russell The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is difficult to class them separately. -- Tom Paine Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it. -- Brian Kernighan Truly great madness cannot be achieved whithout significant intelligence. -- Henrik Tikkanen Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots. -Frank A. Clark, writer We find comfort among those who agree with us, growth among those who don't. -Frank A. Clark, writer (1911- ) Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom. -Theodore Rubin, psychiatrist and writer (1923- ) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Rapparee Date: 23 Jun 07 - 12:14 PM Clear out while they reload. The old lie: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Sine virtus, sine laus. It's never too late to mutate. TANSTAAFL! When you flush the shit goes somewhere. A statesman is a dead politician. God knows we need more statesmen. If it costs ninety-eight cents you have ninety-seven -- and a twenty. Entropy ALWAYS increases. Try not to kill anyone when you're naked. Divide and conquer, cooperate and win. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 10 Aug 07 - 09:15 AM ALIVE Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively. Mel Brooks |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Cluin Date: 10 Aug 07 - 08:55 PM A story from Joseph Campbell: There's a wonderful Indian story of a young man who was told by his guru, "You are Brahman. You are God." What a thing to experience! "I am God." So, deeply indrawn, this young man goes out for a walk. He walks through the village, goes out into the country. And coming down the road is a great elephant, with the howdah on top, and the driver on his head. And the young man, thinking "I am God. I am God," does not get out of the way of the elephant. The mahout shouts, "Get out of the way, you lunatic!" The young man hears him and looks and sees the elephant, and he says to himself, "I am God and the elephant is God. Should God get out of the way of God?" And of course the moment of truth arrives when the elephant suddenly wraps his trunk around him and tosses him off the road. The young man goes back to his guru in a disheveled condition – not physically hurt, but psychologically in shock. The guru sees him and asks, "Well, what happened to you?" The young man tells him his story and then says, "You told me that I was God." "And so you are." "The elephant is God." "And so it is." "Well, then, should God get out of the way of God?" "But why didn't you listen to the voice of God shouting from the head of the elephant?" |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Little Hawk Date: 10 Aug 07 - 09:04 PM Perfect! That story explains the nature of God in exactly the right way as far as I'm concerned. It is typical of the beautiful parables that come out of the East Indian tradition. The young man grasped the simple principle of the omnipresent God (albeit in a vague fashion), but he did not grasp how to deal with it intelligently in the world of physical existence and physical limitation. He was living too much in his head, not grounded. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Cluin Date: 10 Aug 07 - 10:54 PM But he got grounded PDQ. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Cluin Date: 11 Aug 07 - 02:51 PM Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 23 Aug 07 - 09:45 PM 1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone. 2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire. 3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else. 6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. 8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. 9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. 10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day. 11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. 12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. 13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield. 14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them. 15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket. 16. A closed mouth gathers no foot. 17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together. 18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. 19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving. 20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. 21. Never miss a good chance to shut up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 23 Aug 07 - 10:16 PM MIND Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 24 Aug 07 - 12:58 PM LOVE The first duty of love is to listen. Paul Tillich |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: frogprince Date: 28 Aug 07 - 03:53 PM Late News Flash: If you try to photograph the complete sequence of a total lunar eclipse, you end up very short on sleep. Dean |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:54 PM No-one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Perhaps we could withhold authorship for a week or two.) Would you be happy to be your own best friend? The greater the ignorance, the greater the fear. Ivor the wise.............. (stop laughing at the back) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Gurney Date: 31 Aug 07 - 04:13 AM Maturity shows in the gentle smile at the antics of the young ones. Although, really, if your knees weren't knackered, you'd be boogieing right along with them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Dave Hanson Date: 31 Aug 07 - 05:38 AM Here is wisdom: ' don't eat yellow snow ' Always walk in front of a shitter, and behind a shooter. eric |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 04 Sep 07 - 12:42 PM EXPERIENCE "That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach." Aldous Huxley A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Bill D Date: 04 Sep 07 - 01:11 PM "Scenery changes only for the lead dog" multiple unknown authors |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Bill D Date: 04 Sep 07 - 05:36 PM The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments. Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science, section 191 |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 13 Sep 07 - 08:42 AM Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it. Maimonides |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: GUEST,Neil Date: 13 Sep 07 - 11:40 AM A scholar hired a boat so as to spend an afternoon of contemplation on a calm lake. The boatman,who had never spent much time with books and disdained those who had, decide to play a trick on the scholarly man. so as they were on the way back in that evening he brought the other's attention to some water that had collected in the bootom of the boat. Now this is commonplace, but the boatman guessed, correctly, that the scholar would not know this. He asked, "With all your studying and reading of books have you ever learned to swim? No? Then I'm afraid you are about to drown my learned friend." The scholar asked the boatman to send his love to his family, calmly said a prayer and waited with serenity for the end to come. Of course the boat didn't sink and nobody drowned. After making it to shore and docking the boat they went their separate ways. As he walked away, the scholar thought to himself, "How foolish of me to have spent my life in books and never learned something so practical as how to swim." He resolved to do so as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the boatman was pondering how calmly and bravely the scholar had accepted his fate when he had expected him to react in wild panic. "Maybe there is something to be gained from philosophy after all." You can learn something from anybody. I discovered this years ago when I watched a man tear a sheet of paper on a clean straight line without a knife or scissors. He wasn't well educated, didn't speak well and wasn't even a nice guy. But I learned something practical from him. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: dick greenhaus Date: 14 Sep 07 - 01:38 AM He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise, and should be followed; He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool, and should be shunned. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Georgiansilver Date: 14 Sep 07 - 02:42 AM But who knows who knows and who knows not...best go your own way! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 14 Sep 07 - 04:43 AM this isn't wise but the Aldous huxley line originated with hegel. Possibly. Grub first, ethics after. Brecht Know thyself. Oracle at Delphi, and Socrates. "If there is one true statement true of every living person, it must be this; he hasn't achieved his ful potential." William Schutz, in his book, Joy. Ivor |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Bryn Pugh Date: 14 Sep 07 - 05:35 AM Man with big balls had no toys as a child. In faecam aeternam summus; solii profundii variat * (* we're always in the shit - only the depth varies.) What goes around, comes around. [If you don't believe me, ask Captain Birdseye and Jim Carroll :-)] |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Amos Date: 19 Sep 07 - 06:01 PM If you will take the time to read these. I promise you'll come away with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis! They're written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy....... I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows. I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class. I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds. I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher. I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away. I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life. I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: Blindlemonsteve Date: 20 Sep 07 - 05:05 AM I know a lot of you will pour scorn on me for saying this, but i recently rewatched the entire series of Rocky films, i had never watched them as an adult, but i am pleased that i did, i now realise that they are nothing to do with boxing, but to do with human courage and self belief, to this end, i wrote down some lines from the last film and called it think what you think, the philosophy of a fighting man. Here it is.. Think what you think The Philosophy of a fighting man Nothing really changes, only the clothes Time only catches up with you if you stand still You don't have to look scared to be scared Just because you don't have to do something It doesn't mean you shouldn't Remember, you once sat in the palm of your Dads hand He held you up and said you would be the best kid in the world You were going to be better than anybody ever knew When you grew up good and wonderful, every day to your Mum & Dad was a privilege when the time came for you to be your own person you did. Then somewhere along the line you change, you stop being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good And when things get tough, you start looking for someone to blame Like a big shadow This is something you already know, the world isn't sunshine and rainbows It can be a very mean and nasty place. It doesn't matter how tough you are It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it Nobody is going to hit as hard as life, but it isn't about how hard you get hit Its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, this is how winning is done If you know what your worth, go out and take what your worth, but be prepared to take the hits, don't point fingers and say your not where you want to be because of him or her, cowards do that, and that isn't you. You are better than that….. Remember, your family love you, you're the best thing in they're lives, but if you don't believe in yourself, your never going to have a life. It said it all to me. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Words of Wisdom From: autolycus Date: 20 Sep 07 - 12:51 PM There are reasons people don't believe in themselves which they could do with dealing with. They might not know how to deal with them. Lack of self-esteem is a massive matter, especially if those who brought you up didn't possess it either. Ivor |
