“How much more anger and grief do than the things that cause them.”
“For you can’t lose either the past or the future; how could you lose what you don’t have?
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Sayings and sageful words uttered in past centuries bear poignant relevance for modern communities across the world. Their timeless interpretation a general fit for a multitude of circumstances. Make of them what you will. Thanks to fermincazares for highlighting Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom.
A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word.
Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.
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30 thoughts on “Quotes and Wisdom from the Past”
But a bit convoluted in the language that third one.
Mark Twain I can understand at a glance ! 😀
Now that is a paradox Milena. Like anything we own, we are just tenants for the time we are here. We believe we possess or own items but they can be lost in the blink of an eye. It is often something that strikes bushfire victims when all their possesssions are burnt in the fires.
Beautiful quotes!
Full of wisdom!
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” – Doug Larson
Thank you, Amanda.
Doug Larson? I do like that quote! You can learn so much by listening and observing others! Many people listen for a bit and then think about what they are going to say and wait for a moment to interject…..
Btw, I recommended your blog to another blogger who commented here, PtP. Zazzy – you will find some wonderful quotes on her page here: https://zazamataz.wordpress.com/quotations/
Thank you so much for your kind words, Amanda!
Doug Larson’s quote truly resonates—there’s wisdom in the art of listening.
And your recommendation warms my heart! Sharing inspiration is what makes this community so special. I’ll be sure to check out Zazzy’s page. Thank you.
They are still around for a reason!
One of my favorites from my grandmother: if all of our troubles were hung on the line, you would take yours, and I would take mine.’
Thank you for the link to the article.
I’m with Herrick ‘ Gather ye rosebuds..’ and Ronsard ‘Mignonne allons voir si la rose’…have fun while you’re young…it all passes so quickly.
A very quick skim on your friend fermincazares’ site re Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom, sounds so much like Buddhism. The timeline appears to work for that and I wonder if he was exposed to Buddhist teachings. And a even quicker skim of Mr. Google says probably not, although stoicism shares some features with Buddhism. I’m going to need to read in more depth. I like philosophy, you know.
It sounds like the stoics and Buddhists overlap in some respects, although I don’t confess to being an expert in either.
I didn’t realize you enjoyed philosophy to that extent, Zazzy.
I am glad to know and explains the wisdoms you share in your comments. Do you follow Philosophy through Photography blog?
No, I haven’t heard of that one. As for my interest, as I started to question religion I got introduced in a kind of haphazard way to different philosophies as well as different religions. I know a little of the Greek philosophers although I seem to have missed Marcus Aurelius. I spent a lot of time with the existentialists. I’ve studied a little Buddhism mostly through my study and practice of Zazen meditation. I find ideas interesting to talk about but too many people seem to be offended if these ideas are different from their closely held beliefs. I think it’s important to respect the beliefs of others so I don’t bring it up in general. I enjoy a lot of your ponderings as they often trigger new pathways of thought. I don’t spend a huge amount of time thinking deep thoughts these days but it’s still fun to follow a new line from time to time.
Thank you for explaining your interest in philosophy. I remember studying existentialists way back at school – John Paul Sartre? Nietzche? or was he a nihilist? I admit to being a novice but when I come across philosophic ponderings, I do enjoy thinking about them. I loved reading Sophie’s World as an introduction to philosophy.
Regarding meditation:
I had to look up Zazen meditation as that term is not used here but apparently I have done plenty of it. I used to have a favourite meditation class once a week, completed by my yoga teacher. It was fantastic. When I moved house 4 years ago, I could no longer attend. 😦 Prior to that I also used to attend a mantra meditation which was quite different to anything I had done before. In addition to singing mantras to the ‘squeezebox’ – we would practise bead meditation which I wrote about on my blog many years ago – have you ever tried that. I still have the beads but don’t do it regularly.
My latest fav meditation practice is to use an app called insight timer. They are so many different meditations to choose from and all free! You can of course donate if you wish.
Meditation has brought me much comfort in the darkest of times and the best cure for insomnia.
I can imagine that people around you would be offended by talk of such outlying practices that mainstream or evangelical churches would not like. They are sometimes conditioned to be fearful of things that are different.
We seem to have more in common. I got introduced to meditation as a teenager, starting with alpha meditation. I was fascinated by the idea of astral travel and worked very hard at learning to leave my body. I swear I think I came close a few times but more likely I had a near-sleep experience and jolted awake. I never really felt I accomplished the Zazen state, getting my mind to still is a tough thing. And I seem to have lost my ability to meditate following my knee injury twenty years ago. Still, perhaps I will look into insight timer. It sounds like it might help me to get back into practice.
There are so many choices in Insight Timer – from music to meditations that I suspect you will find something of use there.
Re Astral travel – sleep is such a fascinating phenomenon. Sleep paralysis, dreams, nightmares, night terrors. If I am super tired, I will almost jump vertically up in bed as I fall asleep. I believe it is from entering a deeper stage of sleep too fast, without going through the lesser stages. The brain can’t handle it so it wakes the body up so it can start at Stage 1 again and progress normally. The jolt I feel is like an electric shock and can wake my husband lying beside me. Our bodies are amazing. Why were you keen to leave your body? Was it just for the experience?
I just thought Astral Travel sounded cool. And perhaps, like many teens, I felt a little trapped in my body and in my life. I’ve always be fascinated by the idea of flying and it seemed like astral travel would be like flying. That jolting awake thing felt like falling and, as a teenager, I was sure I was falling back into my body. As you say, I think it was more moving into a different stage of sleep – before I was really even aware I was asleep at all.
Ain’t that true? Getting started is also the way for me to get my floors mopped each week! A chore I hate with a passion. So I dupe myself – pretending I will just do the kitchen floor as that seems manageable. – Before I know it, the whole house is done….
I’ve been quite addicted to quotes since joining WP and enjoyed these. Marcus Aurelius was wise indeed and his sayings truly standing the test of time! I like this one: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” Annika
Another excellent quote from Marcus, Annika. I do like that one. It that speaks to a life lived in the safe zone. It may be free from accidents, threats and risks, but can we say it is really living. Perhaps it is only existing?
When a young student, my biggest problem when faced with a writing task (or written exam) was “getting started”. Over the years, I started characterizing that as (from my science background) having enough “activation energy” and, more aptly (from the Eon song that samples the movie Dune) I would say the mantra to myself “fear is the mind-killer”. So, I can totally appreciate the Mark Twain quote here…. I will have a ponder about that. Have a good week!
Something to Ponder About 
But a bit convoluted in the language that third one.
Mark Twain I can understand at a glance ! 😀
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Mark Twain tells it straight. The final Marcus A. Quote I felt gets one thinking more deeply.
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We don’t have/own anything really but somehow manage to lose SO much, what a paradox of false thinking.
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Now that is a paradox Milena. Like anything we own, we are just tenants for the time we are here. We believe we possess or own items but they can be lost in the blink of an eye. It is often something that strikes bushfire victims when all their possesssions are burnt in the fires.
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😦
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So beautiful quote. Amazing words written in. I like.
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Thanks so much, Raj. True thousands of years ago and true today.
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Yes,You are right! I agree with you!
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Beautiful quotes!
Full of wisdom!
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” – Doug Larson
Thank you, Amanda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doug Larson? I do like that quote! You can learn so much by listening and observing others! Many people listen for a bit and then think about what they are going to say and wait for a moment to interject…..
Btw, I recommended your blog to another blogger who commented here, PtP. Zazzy – you will find some wonderful quotes on her page here: https://zazamataz.wordpress.com/quotations/
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your kind words, Amanda!
Doug Larson’s quote truly resonates—there’s wisdom in the art of listening.
And your recommendation warms my heart! Sharing inspiration is what makes this community so special. I’ll be sure to check out Zazzy’s page. Thank you.
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You are very welcome
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Good thoughts to ponder Amanda. These old nuggets are timeless and will never be stale.
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I am constantly surprised about how salient old wisdoms can be.
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They are still around for a reason!
One of my favorites from my grandmother: if all of our troubles were hung on the line, you would take yours, and I would take mine.’
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Now that is one saying I have not heard from any country. But it says a whole lot more than the literal meaning.
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Thank you for the link to the article.
I’m with Herrick ‘ Gather ye rosebuds..’ and Ronsard ‘Mignonne allons voir si la rose’…have fun while you’re young…it all passes so quickly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very quick skim on your friend fermincazares’ site re Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom, sounds so much like Buddhism. The timeline appears to work for that and I wonder if he was exposed to Buddhist teachings. And a even quicker skim of Mr. Google says probably not, although stoicism shares some features with Buddhism. I’m going to need to read in more depth. I like philosophy, you know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like the stoics and Buddhists overlap in some respects, although I don’t confess to being an expert in either.
I didn’t realize you enjoyed philosophy to that extent, Zazzy.
I am glad to know and explains the wisdoms you share in your comments. Do you follow Philosophy through Photography blog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I haven’t heard of that one. As for my interest, as I started to question religion I got introduced in a kind of haphazard way to different philosophies as well as different religions. I know a little of the Greek philosophers although I seem to have missed Marcus Aurelius. I spent a lot of time with the existentialists. I’ve studied a little Buddhism mostly through my study and practice of Zazen meditation. I find ideas interesting to talk about but too many people seem to be offended if these ideas are different from their closely held beliefs. I think it’s important to respect the beliefs of others so I don’t bring it up in general. I enjoy a lot of your ponderings as they often trigger new pathways of thought. I don’t spend a huge amount of time thinking deep thoughts these days but it’s still fun to follow a new line from time to time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for explaining your interest in philosophy. I remember studying existentialists way back at school – John Paul Sartre? Nietzche? or was he a nihilist? I admit to being a novice but when I come across philosophic ponderings, I do enjoy thinking about them. I loved reading Sophie’s World as an introduction to philosophy.
Regarding meditation:
I had to look up Zazen meditation as that term is not used here but apparently I have done plenty of it. I used to have a favourite meditation class once a week, completed by my yoga teacher. It was fantastic. When I moved house 4 years ago, I could no longer attend. 😦 Prior to that I also used to attend a mantra meditation which was quite different to anything I had done before. In addition to singing mantras to the ‘squeezebox’ – we would practise bead meditation which I wrote about on my blog many years ago – have you ever tried that. I still have the beads but don’t do it regularly.
My latest fav meditation practice is to use an app called insight timer. They are so many different meditations to choose from and all free! You can of course donate if you wish.
Meditation has brought me much comfort in the darkest of times and the best cure for insomnia.
I can imagine that people around you would be offended by talk of such outlying practices that mainstream or evangelical churches would not like. They are sometimes conditioned to be fearful of things that are different.
If you wish to look into that blog here is a link to his home page https://philosophyvia.photos/home/
LikeLiked by 1 person
We seem to have more in common. I got introduced to meditation as a teenager, starting with alpha meditation. I was fascinated by the idea of astral travel and worked very hard at learning to leave my body. I swear I think I came close a few times but more likely I had a near-sleep experience and jolted awake. I never really felt I accomplished the Zazen state, getting my mind to still is a tough thing. And I seem to have lost my ability to meditate following my knee injury twenty years ago. Still, perhaps I will look into insight timer. It sounds like it might help me to get back into practice.
LikeLike
There are so many choices in Insight Timer – from music to meditations that I suspect you will find something of use there.
Re Astral travel – sleep is such a fascinating phenomenon. Sleep paralysis, dreams, nightmares, night terrors. If I am super tired, I will almost jump vertically up in bed as I fall asleep. I believe it is from entering a deeper stage of sleep too fast, without going through the lesser stages. The brain can’t handle it so it wakes the body up so it can start at Stage 1 again and progress normally. The jolt I feel is like an electric shock and can wake my husband lying beside me. Our bodies are amazing. Why were you keen to leave your body? Was it just for the experience?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just thought Astral Travel sounded cool. And perhaps, like many teens, I felt a little trapped in my body and in my life. I’ve always be fascinated by the idea of flying and it seemed like astral travel would be like flying. That jolting awake thing felt like falling and, as a teenager, I was sure I was falling back into my body. As you say, I think it was more moving into a different stage of sleep – before I was really even aware I was asleep at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be cool and maybe you did travel for a moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore the Mark Twain quote. That’s the truth of most things, just get started.
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Ain’t that true? Getting started is also the way for me to get my floors mopped each week! A chore I hate with a passion. So I dupe myself – pretending I will just do the kitchen floor as that seems manageable. – Before I know it, the whole house is done….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been quite addicted to quotes since joining WP and enjoyed these. Marcus Aurelius was wise indeed and his sayings truly standing the test of time! I like this one: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” Annika
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another excellent quote from Marcus, Annika. I do like that one. It that speaks to a life lived in the safe zone. It may be free from accidents, threats and risks, but can we say it is really living. Perhaps it is only existing?
LikeLiked by 2 people
When a young student, my biggest problem when faced with a writing task (or written exam) was “getting started”. Over the years, I started characterizing that as (from my science background) having enough “activation energy” and, more aptly (from the Eon song that samples the movie Dune) I would say the mantra to myself “fear is the mind-killer”. So, I can totally appreciate the Mark Twain quote here…. I will have a ponder about that. Have a good week!
LikeLiked by 1 person