Quotes, expressions, and mantras

Here’s a collection of quotes, expressions, and mantras that I appreciate. They’re things I respect. Or agree with. Or would make me a better person if I followed more closely.

We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Not actually Mahatma Gandhi

The softest pillow is a clear conscience.
–N. R. Narayana Murthy, also maybe Tejomayananda, also maybe an old French or Russian proverb.

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
–Greek proverb

The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads. That sucks.
–Jeff Hammerbacher, “This Tech Bubble Is Different”

In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away, when a body has been stripped down to its nakedness.
–Antoine de Saint-Exupery

We who cut mere stones must always be envisioning cathedrals.
–Quarry worker’s creed

To command the wheel of an open car with a girl on the seat beside you was to be established in a condition that only a fool would hasten to end.
–Tobias Wolff, The Night In Question

It is the way of spiritual growth
A man must go forward from where he stands
He can not jump to the absolute
–Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Sojourn of Arjuna

You could be better than you are.
–Bing Crosby, “Would You Like to Swing on a Star”

Choose your battles.
–no one in particular

Work hard, play hard.
–no one in particular

If you’re not being productive, stop what you’re doing and do something else. If you’re being productive, keep doing what you’re doing.
–me

When making a decision, avoid regrets. If you think you’ll regret something then don’t do it. If you think you’ll regret not doing something, then do it.
–me

Don’t half-ass it. Don’t cut corners.
–me

Don’t put your tools away until you’re done with the job. Also: Always put your tools away when you’re done with the job.
–me

The true measure of a man is not what he accomplishes. It is what he enables others to accomplish. –me, though it wouldn’t surprise me if other people have said this through time

This entry was posted in All. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *