Quote of The Day 5-15-13

"Courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount."
Clare Boothe Luce

I believe this.  Courage is the basis for nearly any endeavor, whether physical or mental exertion.  Life is hard and ambiguous.  Fact.  And courage is an absolutely necessary asset.  Embrace it and you will satisfy your soul.

Clare Boothe Luce (1903-1987) was an American author, journalist, Congresswoman, and US ambassador.  As a Congresswoman she was well known for her moderate position towards minorities, immigrants, and women denied privileges, which contrasted with most of her Republican counterparts.  She was a fierce and outspoken public speaker.

Quote of The Day 5-13-13

"Do not travel far to other dusty lands, forsaking your own sitting palace; if you cannot find the truth where you are now, you will never find it."

-Dogen

Word son.  I have no qualms with traveling and seeking experience through new sights and cultures.  But ultimate truth and meaning is not something to be found in a particular place.  It is to be found within.  And you are always with yourself.

Dogen (1200-1253) was a Japanese Zen Buddhist.  Born in Kyoto, Dogen founded the Soto school of Zen after training under Rujing in China, a master of the Caodong sect of Buddhism.  He is known for his bountiful writings, especially Treasury of The Eye of The True Dharma.

Quote of The Day 5-10-13

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Truth.  Nothing like old fashioned American wisdom.  Friendship is a two way street, you must give to receive.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet.  He is known for being a leader of the Transcendentalist movement which he solidified with his 1836 essay Nature.  Oliver Wendell Holmes considered Emerson's subsequent speech, "The American Scholar", America's "Intellectual Declaration of Independence".  Emerson's work would go on to influence American thinking and culture indefinitely.  He was also a good friend and mentor to fellow Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau.

Quote of The Day 5-9-13

"Conventionality is not morality."
Charlotte Bronte

We all wish to do what is right.  However, what is right in our hearts does not always necessarily coincide with societal norms.  Morality is born in our hearts and though it may correlate with particular morals of a certain culture it is ultimately an individual responsibility.

Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) was an English author of novels and poetry.  She was the eldest of three sisters that survived to adult age.  Her younger sisters Emily and Anne were also authors of note.  Bronte's most famous work is Jane Eyre which she wrote under the pen name Currer Bell.  The book revolutionized modern fiction with its precedent of the main character's inner battles of consciousness along with social critique.  Bronte's writing would influence such luminaries as James Joyce and Marcel Proust.  She was very outspoken of her high sense of morals and tended to preach tolerance over revolution.

Quote of The Day 5-8-13

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."

Benjamin Franklin

I like this one.  It has a nice ring to it.  And diligence is most certainly an admirable quality; one which typically yields success and favorable results.  Hence, good luck.

Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790).  You can find his face on the 100 dollar bill.  Now if that is not an icon of greatness, I do not know anything.  Franklin was a man of many talents, interests, and abilities.  Among those were writing, printmaking, political theory, postmaster, scientist, inventor, musician, satirist, and diplomat.  He was also a founding father of our great nation.  His achievements and contributions to our nation are simply too many to name here.  I anticipate his wisdom shall grace QOD again in the future and provide more opportunity to relish his greatness.