Thoughts Talk

Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach. ~George Sheehan Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment. ~Heywood Hale Broun The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea. ~Isak Dinesen

If a man is called a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Earth will pause to say, Here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

One saves oneself much pain, by taking pains; much trouble, by taking trouble. ~Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827

Even our misfortunes are a part of our belongings. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Night Flight, 1931. The one thing that matters is the effort. It continues, whereas the end to be attained is but an illusion of the climber, as he fares on and on from crest to crest; and once the goal is reached it has no meaning. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Wisdom of the Sands

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. ~George Bernard Shaw

"I must do something" always solves more problems than "Something must be done." ~Author Unknown

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller

If two stand shoulder to shoulder against the gods, Happy together, the gods themselves are helpless Against them while they stand so. ~Maxwell Anderson

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." ~Alan Alexander Milne

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. ~Aristotle

Arm ourselves for war? No! All the arms we need are for hugging. ~Author Unknown

There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder. ~Charles Morgan

Onam is a sacred festival celebrated in Kerala, India by all religions alike. It is celebrated for 10 days, which are filled with utter energy into every Keralites. They cook different Kinds of payasam, do boat racing & elephant rides. This is the time to be in Kerala!! Atham First day is an important one and is considered holy and auspicious by the people of Kerala. Chithira On the second day of Onam, people add to the size of the Pookalam with different flowers. Chodhi Size of the Attha Poo gets further increased with an addition of design with a different flowers. Visakam Brisk activities in the market and households can be witnessed on the day of Visakam. Anizham Place to be on this day is Alleppy [Alpudha as they pronounce it in Kerala]. High point of the day is the grand boat race event called Vallamkali. Thriketa People, who may be staying away from their homes, start coming to their homes as the main day approaches. Moolam With just two days left for the festival now, enthu

Another way of approaching the thing is to consider it unnamed, unnameable। ~Francis Ponge The first step... shall be to lose the way. ~Galway Kinnell

"Inches make a champion." ~Vince Lombardi Very Happy This Week We In India Won Two More Bronze Medals. Thanks Sushil Kumar & Vijender !!!

ஆற்றங்கரை மேட்டினிலே ஆடி நிற்கும் நாணலது காற்றடித்தால் சாய்வதில்லை கனிந்த மனம் வீழ்வதில்லை on the banks of the river there will be tall grass like bushes these don get broken or damaged during heavy breeze whereas even big trees get broken in such cases similarly experienced and more sensible ppl don break down at life's hardest moments ~A Tamil Song [Amaithiana] Recieved from Abirami Sukumaran. Translated by Keerthiga V.

Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972 [A Conversation between Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) & a Seeker.] “Should I join the jihad?" He asked, "Do you have parents?" The man said, "Yes!" The Prophet(S) said, "then strive by (serving) them!”

Indian boy on his first day at school in USA !! Here is a true story about a Indian boy on his first day at school in the USA. It was the first day of school and a new student named Chandrashekhar Subramanyam entered the fourth grade. The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said "Give me Liberty, or give me Death"? She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrashekhar, who had his hand-up: "Patrick Henry, 1775" he said. "Very good!" Who said "Government of the People, by the People, forthe People, shall not perish from the Earth?" Again, no response except from Chandrashekhar. "Abraham Lincoln, 1863" said Chandrashekhar. The teacher snapped at the class, "Class, you should be ashamed. Chandrashekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about itshistory than you do." She heard a loud whisper: "F**k the Indians," "Who said that?" she demanded.Chandrashekhar put his

9 Basic Human Needs

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You're tearing up the grass.” “We're not raising grass,” Dad would reply. “We're raising boys.” ~Harmon Killebrew

Hell is not punishment, it's training. ~Shunryu Suzuki

Once upon a time, a king had a great highway built for the people who lived in his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many of his subjects as desired to participate. The challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best, and the winner was to receive a box of gold. On the day of the contest, all the people came. Some of them had fine chariots; some had fine clothing and fancy food to make the trip a luxurious journey. Some wore their sturdiest shoes and ran along the highway on their feet to show their skill. All day they travelled the highway, and each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king about a large pile of rocks and debris that had been left almost blocking the road at one point, and that got in their way and hindered their travel. At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he address

What I point out to people is that it's silly to be afraid that you're not going to get what you want if you ask. Because you are already not getting what you want. They always laugh about that because they realize it's so true. Without asking you already have failed, you already have nothing. What are you afraid of? You're afraid of getting what you already have! It's ridiculous! Who cares if you don't get it when you ask for it, because, before you ask for it, you don't have it anyway. So there's really nothing to be afraid of. ~Marcia Martin

Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

If you trust in Nature, in the small Things that hardly anyone sees and that can so suddenly become huge, immeasurable; if you have this love for what is humble and try very simply, as someone who serves, to win the confidence of what seems poor: then everything will become easier for you, more coherent and somehow more reconciling, not in your conscious mind perhaps, which stays behind, astonished, but in your innermost awareness, awakeness, and knowledge. Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. Perhaps you do carry within you the possibility of creating and forming,

Next to temperance, a quiet conscience, a cheerful mind, and active habits, I place early rising as a means of health and happiness. ~Flint

Change has considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful, change is threatening because it means that things may get worse To the hopeful, change is encouraging because things may get better. ~King Whitney, Jr.

All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself. ~Ralph Ellison

A promise must never be broken. ~Alexander Hamilton

Hair is vitally personal to children. They weep vigorously when it is cut for the first time; no matter how it grows, bushy, straight or curly, they feel they are being shorn of a part of their personality. ~Charles Chaplin, My Autobiography, 1964

Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these. ~Susan B. Anthony

When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice. ~William James

Not gifted with genius but honestly holding his experience in his heart, he kept his simplicity and humanity. ~Nanao Sakaki [on Issa, Haiku Master]

Almost anything you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. ~Mahatma Gandhi

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. ~Author Unknown

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. ~Richard Bach

When we cling to pain we end up punishing ourselves. ~Leo Buscaglia

Throw a lucky man into the sea, and he will come up with a fish in his mouth. ~Arabian Proverb

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can't find anybody who can tell me what they want. ~Mark Twain

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. ~Black Elk (1863-1950)

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~Epictetus [Philosopher, 55AD-135]

Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you fine the present tense, but the past perfect! ~Owens Lee Pomeroy

Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter." ~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. ~Albert Schweitzer

The cure for anything is salt water - Sweat, Tears, or the Sea. ~Isak Dinesen

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second. ~Baltasar Gracian You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. ~Robin Williams [comedian]

Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little course, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson [1803-1882]

This one is my favourite & has given me strength on numerous occasions when I was in real need of a bout of Strength. I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right. ~Cato

Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such. ~Henry Miller

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. ~Eddie Cantor

Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends... Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. ~Henry David Thoreau [1817-1862]

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. ~Robert Anthony

Creativity is essentially a lonely art. An even lonelier struggle. To some a blessing. To others a curse. It is in reality the ability to reach inside yourself and drag forth from your very soul an idea. ~Lou Dorfsman

Sixty years ago, you could simply take your children out into the barn; even if you lived in the cities, there were working men all around you. Chances are your son would learn to use his body. But more and more now the children are going to the Internet... and the danger is that it will simply cause deeper isolation among many young males than they already have. It is a lie to say that there is communication going on. It is just a form of chatter. True communication takes place when two people are standing close to each other - maybe a foot away - so that you can feel when the other person is lying, through his body. ~Robert Bly

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson [1803-1882]

The twentieth century is, among other things, the Age of Noise. Physical noise, mental noise and noise of desire -- we hold history's record for all of them. And no wonder; for all the resources of our almost miraculous technology have been thrown into the current assault against silence. That most popular and influential of all recent inventions, the radio is nothing but a conduit through which pre-fabricated din can flow into our homes. And this din goes far deeper, of course, than the eardrums. It penetrates the mind, filling it with a babel of distractions, blasts of corybantic or sentimental music, continually repeated doses of drama that bring no catharsis, but usually create a craving for daily or even hourly emotional enemas. And where, as in most countries, the broadcasting stations support themselves by selling time to advertisers, the noise is carried from the ear, through the realms of phantasy, knowledge and feeling to the ego's core of wish and desire. Spoken or p

Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there's no country It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if we can No need for greed, no hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one. ~JOHN LENNON [9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980, IMAGINE]

You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead. One must work and dare if one really wants to live. ~Vincent Van Gogh The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore. If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. Even the knowledge of my own fallibility cannot keep me from making mistakes. Only when I fall do I get up again. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. The reward of a thing well done is having done it. An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory. I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. I've failed over

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant. 2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. 3.) Always pray and make time to exercise. 4.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 And under the age of Six. 5.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants And eat less foods that are manufactured in Plants. 6.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat broccoli, almonds & walnuts. 7.) Try to make at least three people smile each day. 8.) Clear your clutter from your house, car, desk and let new and flowing energy into your life. 9.) Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, Invest your energy in the positive present moment. 10.) Realize that life is a school and you are here To learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum That appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the lessons you learn will last

My Ideal Life represented in Maths... x( t)=αtθ cos(Ttθ), y( t)=αtθ sin(Ttθ)... Spiral starting from origin… slow but steady, sweeping the ground throughly, and yet moving outward ! ~From Tanay Kumar Nath

Just close your eyes and open your heart, And feel your worries and cares depart. Just yield yourself to the Father above, And let Him hold you secure in His love. For life on earth grows more involved, With endless problems that can't be solved. But God only ask us to do our best, Then He will take over and finish the rest. So when you are tired, discouraged and blue, There is always one door that is open to you. And that is the door to The House of Prayer, And you'll find God waiting to meet you there. And The House of Prayer is no further away, Than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray. For the heart is a temple when God is there, As we place ourselves in His loving care. And He hears every prayer and answers each one, When we Pray in His name - Thy will be done. The burdens that seemed too heavy to bear, Are lifted away on the wings of a prayer.

1. HEALTH enough to make work a pleasure. 2. WEALTH enough to support your needs. 3. STRENGTH to battle with difficulties and overcome them. 4. GRACE enough to confess your sins and forsake them. 5. PATIENCE enough to toil until some good is accomplished. 6. CHARITY enough to see some good in your neighbor. 7. LOVE enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others. 8. FAITH enough to make real the things of God. 9. HOPE enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

Friendships online are often fleeting, Made and lost without even once meeting. How many friends from online have I lost I haven't kept count nor figured the cost. Some depart, spouting bluster and rage, Others as quietly as the turn of a page. Many return though I couldn't say when, While the rest are never heard from again. For the loss of some, the fault is my own, An unkind word spoken and I'm left alone. Some friends turn away for no reason at all. I'm puzzled and hurt when they shun my call. Scores of friends are forever lost to me Since the systems we called ceased to be. And more than once, I've had friends die. I can't forget them; I don't even try. So take a moment during your time online And be aware, though there's no outward sign. That sound you hear, that solitary crying, Might well be the sound of friendships dying.

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here after one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!" One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it h

"To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget." "Today the world is run by three of the most secretive institutions in the world: The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, all three of which, in turn, are dominated by the U.S. Their decisions are made in secret. The people who head them are appointed behind closed doors. Nobody really knows anything about them, their politics, their beliefs, their intentions. Nobody elected them. Nobody said they could make decisions on our behalf." "The mullahs of the Islamic world and the mullahs of the Hindu world and the m

"I’m not going to die until I can spend it." ~Chuck Feeney [SOURCE :: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-feeney8mar08,0,5386641.story]

I The eye you see is not an eye because you see it; it is an eye because it sees you. II To talk with someone, ask a question first, then -- listen. III Narcissism is an ugly fault, and now it's a boring fault too. IV But look in your mirror for the other one, the other one who walks by your side. V Between living and dreaming there is a third thing. Guess it. VI This Narcissus of ours can't see his face in the mirror because he has become the mirror. VII New century? Still firing up the same forge? Is the water still going along in its bed? VIII Every instant is Still. IX The sun in Aries. My window is open to the cool air. Oh the sound of the water far off! The evening awakens the river. X In the old farmhouse -- a high tower with storks! -- the gregarious sound falls silent, and in the field where no on is, water makes a sound among the rocks. XI Just as before, I'm interested in water held in; but now water in livin

[1] Silená modlitba nejde do neba. Compulsory prayers never reach heaven. [2] Pán Boh nie náhlivý, ale pamätlivý. God is not impatient but mindful. [3] Natiahni si uši a počúvaj ! Tighten your eardrums and give heed ! [4] Len sa mi tak na jazyku pletie. It keeps floating about on my tongue. [5] Krúti hlavou ako neveriaci Tomáš. He shakes his head like a doubting Thomas. [6] Pravda výjde na vrch ako olej na vodu. The truth rises to the surface like oil on water. [7] čnosť a peknosť je milá spoločnosť Virtue and beauty are a blessed association. [8] Dobrá práca sama sa chváli. Fine work is its own flattery. [9] Dobré svedomie je mäkkíá poduška A good conscience makes a soft pillow. [10] Spravedlivá práca ako modlitba. Honest labor is a form of prayer. [11] Láska nepotrebuje zákona. Love need no laws. [12] Na zajtra je len hnev dobre odkladať. Anger is the only thing to put off until tomorrow. [12A] Kto si málo neváži, viacej nezaslúži. Who is not grateful for a little does not deserve mo

Let go of the Past, Only then you move towards the future. Let go of the Regrets, Only then you move towards the happiness. Let go of the Presumptions, Only then you move towards the truth. Let go of the Problems, Only then you move towards the solutions. Let go of Yourself, Only then you move towards the divinity.

Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway. ~Mary Kay Ash

Real leaders are ordinary people, with extraordinary determinations. ~John Seaman Garns The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. ~Walter Lippmann The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully. ~Walter Lippman In simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he wants to go, and gets up, and goes. ~John Erksine, The Complete Life The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant." ~Max De Pree, "Leadership Is an Art"

The doors we open and close each day, decide the lives we live. ~Flora Whittemore

Where there is no simplicity, there is no greatness. ~Leo Tolstoy

Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. ~Robert Francis Kennedy Success is that old ABC -- Ability, Breaks, and Courage. ~Charles Luckman I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone. ~Bill Cosby If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded. ~Maya Angelou We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more. ~Madame Swetchine, The Writings of Madame Swetchine Whatever strengthens and purifies the affections, enlarges the imagination, and adds spirit to sense, is useful. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Character is power; it makes friends, draws patronage and support, and opens a sure way to wealth, honor, and happiness. ~John Howe Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open. ~Elmer G. Letterman The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do. ~John Holt Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~Helen Keller Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. ~Abraham Lincoln The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out. ~Thomas B. Macaulay Bluntness is a virtue. ~Allison Ling When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character. ~W. Somerset Maugham

A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror. ~Ken Keys

To measure the man, measure his heart. ~Malcolm Stevenson Forbes

We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have 'crossed bridges' in their imagination far ahead of the crowd. ~Anonymous

Predictions of the Year 2000 from The Ladies Home Journal of December 1900 The Ladies Home Journal from December 1900, which contained a fascinating article by John Elfreth Watkins, Jr. “What May Happen in the Next Hundred Years”. Mr. Watkins wrote: “These prophecies will seem strange, almost impossible. Yet, they have come from the most learned and conservative minds in America. To the wisest and most careful men in our greatest institutions of science and learning I have gone, asking each in his turn to forecast for me what, in his opinion, will have been wrought in his own field of investigation before the dawn of 2001 - a century from now. These opinions I have carefully transcribed.” During the Year 2000, we included Mr. Watkins research in our feature articles. We invite you to comment on these predictions, whether they have been realized in some way or how they can never be accomplished! In any event, we know you’ll enjoy these entries. Prediction #1: There will probably be fro

Never stop caring about the little things in life, Never stop dreaming or give in to strife. Never stop building bridges that lead to promising tomorrows, Never stop trying or give in to sorrows. Never stop smiling and looking forward to each new day, But most of all my friend… Never stop shining in your own special way. Never forget that all storms can clear. The grayest sky can turn pure blue. Remember, brighter tomorrows are near... [SOURCE :: http://pravstalk.com/2007/11/12/pravs-world-brighter-tomorrows/]

So we went to Atari and said, `Hey, we've got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or we'll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we'll come work for you.' And they said, `No.' So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, `Hey, we don't need you. You haven't got through college yet.' ~Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computer Inc. on attempts to get Atari and H-P interested in his personal computer.

Noise proves nothing - often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid. ~Mark Twain

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company. ~Mark Twain

I can give you a definite perhaps. ~Samuel Goldwyn

Others are my main concern. When I notice something of mine, I steal it and give it to others. ~Shantideva

After a few years of meditation practice we can even learn how to occasionally ignore ourselves. And what relief that can be! ~Wes Nisker

By amending our mistakes, we get wisdom. By defending our faults, we betray an unsound mind. ~The Sutra of Hui Neng

Half the spiritual life consists of remembering what we are up against and where we are going. ~Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies" ... And the other half is taking complete personal responsibility for getting there! ~Joshua Bryer

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and wearness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end. Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others. Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered. Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds. Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretense an

Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. What you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. ~Ajhan Chah

If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate. ~Ajhan Chah

Do not pursue the past. Do not lose yourself in the future. The past no longer is. The future has not yet come. Looking deeply at life as it is. In the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom. We must be diligent today. To wait until tomorrow is too late. Death comes unexpectedly. How can we bargain with it? The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day, 'one who knows the better way to live alone.' ~Bhaddekaratta Sutta

Conquer the angry man by love. Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness. Conquer the miser with generosity. Conquer the liar with truth. ~The Dhammapada

At the time of Buddha, there lived an old beggar woman called "Relying on Joy". She used to watch the kings, princes, and people making offerings to Buddha and his disciples, and there was nothing she would have liked more than to be able to do the same. So she went out begging, but at the end of a whole day all she had was one small coin. She took it to the oil-merchant to try to buy some oil. He told her that she could not possibly buy anything with so little. But when he heard that she wanted it to make an offering to Buddha, he took pity on her and gave her the oil she wanted. She took it to the monastery, where she lit a lamp. She placed it before Buddha, and made this wish:"I have nothing to offer but this tiny lamp. But through this offering, in the future may I be blessed with the lamp of wisdom. May I free all beings from their darkness. May I purify all their obstructions, and lead them to enlightenment." That night the oil in all the other lamps went out.

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts. Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind: follow the calmness, the absence of pride. ~Sutta Nipata

IT once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid, and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake. And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do. And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently. In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right t