In sooth, when woes beset …
“In sooth, when woes beset and troubles swarm, each lowly refuge shines like palace warm.” (Ancient Sicilian proverb)
Roberto Grippi
Never waste a good crisis
“Never waste a good crisis.” The phrase was popularized by Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff, in a 2008 interview with The Wall Street Journal. Emanuel said: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. What I mean by that is that it’s an opportunity to do things that you think … Read more
We have the freedom of thought …
“Die Gedankenfreiheit haben wir. Nun müssen wir uns nur noch die Gedanken beschaffen.” (Karl Kraus) Which literally translates from German into English as: “We have the freedom of thought. Now, we just need to acquire the thoughts themselves.” Another translation that partially preserves the original irony would be: “We have freedom of thought; what we … Read more
In times of crisis …
“In times of crisis, clever people look for solutions and idiots look for the guilty.” (Toto’ de Curtis, Italian prince and comedian)
The real crisis is not the crisis itself …
“The real crisis is not the crisis itself. The real crisis is what you do BEFORE and AFTER the crisis.” (Octavio Paz) What did you do (or not do) BEFORE to turn the situation into a crisis? What did you do (or not do) AFTERWARDS to prolong the crisis situation? Ask yourself three questions (they … Read more
A dreadful time …
“A dreadful time when one must draw the sword to affirm that grass is green and snow is white.” (Anonymous, loosely inspired by G. K. Chesterton)
Go to hell is not a curse …
“Go to hell is not a curse, but a tourist attraction to be recommended to a bunch of people.” (Gigi Proietti, Italian actor and comedian) .. and I tried to render this irony in Shakespearean English: “Being directed to hell is not a malediction dire, But a traveller’s delight, to be commended high Unto a … Read more
These people, who ignore each other, are saving the world
“A man who cultivates his garden, as Voltaire wished. Someone who is pleased that music exists on earth. Someone who delightfully discovers an etymology. Two employees silently playing chess in a café in the South. A potter who premeditates a color and a shape. A typesetter who composes this page well, which perhaps he doesn’t … Read more
Never argue with an idiot …
“Never argue with an idiot: he drags you down to his level and beats you there with experience.” (Various authors)
Misanthropy is born when …
“Misanthropy is born when excessive trust is placed in someone without knowing them well, considering them a loyal, sincere, and faithful friend, only to discover gradually that they are wicked and unfaithful, a completely different being. When this experience is repeated several times, especially with those we considered most trusted and friendly, one ends up, … Read more
When the debate is over …
“When the debate is over, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” (Socrates)
It is not grey hair that reveals my age …
“It is not grey hair that reveals my age.It is my use of complete sentences and punctuation when I text.” (Unknown Author)
’tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind
“’tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind.” (William Shakespeare, King Lear)
Reading furnishes the mind with materials of knowledge …
“Reading furnishes the mind with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” John Locke “Essay Concerning Human Understanding”.
Never argue with an idiot …
“Never argue with an idiot: people might not notice the difference.” (Arthur Bloch)
I am more interested in my own conscience than in the opinion of others
“I am more interested in my own conscience than in the opinion of others.” (Cicero)
The best fighter is never angry
“The best fighter is never angry.” (Lao Tzu)
Errors are for beginners …
“Errors are for beginners, experts aim directly to disaster.” (Roberto Grippi)
When someone disrespects you …
“When someone disrespects you, beware the impulse to win their respect. For disrespect is not a valuation of your worth but a signal of their character.” (Brendon Burchard)
Nobody told me that when you get a husband …
“Nobody told me that when you get a husband, the ears are sold separately.” (Unknown author)