Philosophers are deeply interested in belief systems. Many philosophers, from Plato to William James, have noted the vital role our beliefs play – for better or worse – in getting us through the day. Hobbes observed that the human world is governed by opinion. Opinions are...
Two series of numbers: the first, series A, consists of: 724, 947, 421, 843, 394, 411, 054, 646. What do these numbers have in common? Don’t read on until you have an answer. It’s simpler than you think: the number four features in each of...
As to what concerns my other reading, that mixes a little more profit with the pleasure, and whence I learn how to marshal my opinions and conditions, the books that serve me to this purpose are Plutarch and Seneca. Both of these have this notable convenience...
Some people are not only obtuse, but they won’t even let you help them,” I complained. Tubs made himself comfortable and began: Once there was a little shack—a hovel, really—on the outskirts of the city. In the front was a little workshop with a few tools...
You know the saying: ‘Live each day as if it were your last.’ It features at least three times in every lifestyle magazine, and has a slot in every self-help manual’s standard repertoire, too. For such a clever line, it makes you none the wiser....
When Veii fell, the commons of Rome took up the notion that it would be to the advantage of their city were half their number to go and dwell there. For they argued that as Veii lay in a fertile country and was a well-built city,...
Remember, creativity has nothing to do with any particular work. Creativity has something to do with the quality of your consciousness. Whatsoever you do can become creative. Whatsoever you do can become creative if you know what creativity means. Creativity means enjoying any work as meditation;...
One thing that Thoreau says is that: "Birds never sing in caves." And neither do we. In order to learn, you've got to be free to experiment, to try, free to make mistakes. That’s the way you learn. I can understand your mistakes and I...
The Steppenwolf, too, believes that he bears two souls (wolf and man) in his breast and even so finds his breast disagreeably cramped because of them. The breast and the body are indeed one, but the souls that dwell in it are not two, nor...
Act without doing; work without effort. Think of the small as large and the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the great; thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficulty, she stops and gives...
