Best wisdom/advice for life?

[tom]

I'm probably a bit younger than some on here.

So, if you could give me just one bit of wisdom or advice for life that you've learned over the years what would it be?

From what I've read on various posts, I'm expecting some excellent contributions from Alan C and Alan H at very least.

Do your best, please.


P.S. Edited to add, I like Yoda from the Star Wars films because of his wise sayings.

[Alan C.]

From what I've read on various posts, I'm expecting some excellent contributions from Alan C and Alan H at very least.

You flatterer you

Learn as though you're going to live forever, live as though you're going to die tomorrow.

There you go Tom

[Alan H]

I'm probably a bit younger than some on here.

What exactly are you implying?

So, if you could give me just one bit of wisdom or advice for life that you've learned over the years what would it be?

What the other Alan said and how about my sig:

"Le doute n'est pas une condition agréable, mais la certitude est absurde."

—Voltaire

"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Don't ever forget that you may be wrong and others may be right (but 'a wise man proportions his beliefs to the evidence' - Hume).

From what I've read on various posts, I'm expecting some excellent contributions from Alan C and Alan H at very least.

I'm flattered as well!

I like Yoda from the Star Wars films because of his wise sayings.

Yes, but can you do the voice? My son has him off to a T!

[Lifelinking]

don't eat yellow snow

[Maria Mac]

One that my atheist Dad taught me and which I used to live by comes from the Holy Bible, Book of Proverbs.

A soft answer turneth away wrath:

It's useful to bear in mind because it's generally true. I only stopped living by it while I was working at the British Humanist Association and decided I wasn't going to take any more crap from whingeing, self-important humanists and I decided instead to go with the second half of the saying:

but grievous words stir up anger.

because it made me feel better.

But for getting along with people, which on the whole is important in leading a happy life, getting on in one's career, one's community etc I would still recommend trying to live by the first part.

[Lord Muck oGentry]

Don't listen to me— as my old uncle Epimenides used to say.

[lewist]

As with Alan H, my signature says it. Carpe diem - sieze the day. Don't always assume there will be another chance.

Treat kindly and appreciate those you love, and who love you. You cannot be sure they will always be with you.

[tom]

Learn as though you're going to live forever, live as though you're going to die tomorrow.

That's great.

"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Don't ever forget that you may be wrong and others may be right (but 'a wise man proportions his beliefs to the evidence' - Hume).

Also great. (No, I've never attempted the voice!)

Maria: Yours sums up the two options and I've often questioned which is really best. It's a difficult one.

Carpe diem - sieze the day. Don't always assume there will be another chance. Treat kindly and appreciate those you love, and who love you. You cannot be sure they will always be with you.

Great and great (that's two best bits of wisdom).

don't eat yellow snow

I'll pass this one on to Quinn the Eskimo.

Anyone else? More, please.

[Nick]

You regret the things you didn't do, rather than the things you did

and....

Live your life as a subordinate clause, Add to the meaning of the sentence, but without you, the sentence works just fine.

[Nick]

And ......

Always remember, when you are up to your arse in alligators, that the original aim was to drain the swamp.

[thundril]

Fear is the opposite of respect

[jaywhat]

If you set your aim too high you may well fail, but if you set it too low you will always succeed.

I just made that up and not sure what it means. Hope there is not a hidden blob in it.

[xman]

Yes, Yoda is a great and wise old fellow:
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

My great grand father used to say something close to Maria's answer:
"If you have nothing nice to say, it's better to say nothing at all."

To counter that, I quite like Lau Tzu quote:
"Truthful words are not beautiful. Beautiful words are not truthful."

Somewhere between these last two sayings lies a path of wisdom which I am still discovering how to walk.

X

[Lifelinking]

If involved in public speaking, check your flies.

If you remove the sidecar from your motorcyle, remember to put your feet down when you stop.

If the previously ugly begin to look damn attractive, stop drinking and go home.

Be very careful going to the toilet after preparing chillies.

[Alan C.]

Lifelinking
Be very careful going to the toilet after preparing chillies.

I always get the urge to rub my eyes Ouch!

[Beki]

From what I've read on various posts, I'm expecting some excellent contributions from Alan C and Alan H at very least.

You flatterer you

Learn as though you're going to live forever, live as though you're going to die tomorrow.

There you go Tom

Just noticed this thread Alan C. Wherever did you find that quotation? I like it - in fact I think I'll use it as my sig. Oops - it's already there!

[Beki]

OK Tom - here are a couple of things that my lovely wee mammie had framed and gave to me as a present (can't remember what for. I think it was just cos she loves me!)



DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

[Beki]

Or how about this from Shakespeare? It's a soliloquay from Hamlet. (Act1 scene 3)

Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportioned thought his act.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel;
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatch'd, unfledged comrade. Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,
Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy,
But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy;
For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!

[Alan C.]

Beki

Just noticed this thread Alan C. Wherever did you find that quotation? I like it - in fact I think I'll use it as my sig. Oops - it's already there!

I thought I made it up myself.
But on reflection I probably read it somewhere sometime, but I have no idea where or when it might have been

[Beki]