Euphemisms are not, as many young people think, useless verbiage for that which can and should be said bluntly; they are like secret agents on a delicate mission, they must airily pass by a stinking mess with barely so much as a nod of the head, make their point of constructive criticism and continue on in calm forbearance. Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old read more
When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
True dignity is never gained by place, and never lost when honors are withdrawn.
True dignity is never gained by place, and never lost when honors are withdrawn.
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
Nobody can do it for you.
Nobody can do it for you.
In terms of the game theory, we might say the universe is so constituted as to maximize play. The best read more
In terms of the game theory, we might say the universe is so constituted as to maximize play. The best games are not those in which all goes smoothly and steadily toward a certain conclusion, but those in which the outcome is always in doubt. Similarly, the geometry of life is designed to keep us at the point of maximum tension between certainty and uncertainty, order and chaos. Every important call is a close one. We survive and evolve by the skin of our teeth. We really wouldn't want it any other way.
When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'.
When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?'.
Thought is a dangerous thing; it makes one see that the popular notions of society are wrong.
Thought is a dangerous thing; it makes one see that the popular notions of society are wrong.
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.
The trodden path is the safest.
The trodden path is the safest.
