Here’re some clippings I’ve accumulated lately. I’ve altered some of the wording to make them more readable. I think they stand alone on their own merit without needing an attribute. But the second to last one is from Kurt Vonnegut, who was 84 years old.
– The confidence people have in their beliefs is not a measure of the quality of evidence but of the coherence of the story that their mind has managed to construct.
– Gossiping makes you untrustworthy.
– It’s not necessary to accept the choices handed down to you by life as you know it.
– It’s said that every mental disorder impairs your sense of humor, so maybe a sense of humor is a good marker for overall brain function. But what’s the evolutionary reason that humor exists? Maybe it helps in companion choice (spouse, lover, business partner, friend, student, teacher, etc.). We select people in many ways, maybe a sense of humor is a general signal of health.
– Thanks very much for your compliments on my [writing/illustration/whatever thing you do]. I’m flattered by your invitation to [do whatever it is they want you to do for nothing]. But [thing you do] is work, it takes time, it’s how I make my living, and in this economy I can’t afford to do it for free. I’m sorry to decline, but thanks again, sincerely, for your kind words about my work. – Tim Kreider’s template for responding to requests respectfully, but resolutely.
– Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience BECOMING, to find out what’s inside you.
– New York is a great place to visit. But if you live there full-time, it turns your skull into a cage, your brain into a rat, and the city is just a stick poking the rat all day.