Quotes, and my thoughts
The following quotations are and have remained my favourite for a long time now, and have helped me in understanding things, and overcome times when I needed good counsel. I just want to share them, and hope that they inspire others the way they inspired me. I've also added a few lines about what they mean to me. These quotations are the result of many years of collection. I hope you like reading them as much as I have!
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"Even if the doctor does not give you a year, even if he hesitates about a month, make one brave push and see what can be accomplished in a week." - RL Stevenson.Well, this quote is quite open in its statement, and that is, to never see life in terms of days, but rather, in terms of living it, and in the process, accomplishing things. They say, life is lived step by step, and that you climb the ladder to Heaven slowly. Indeed, never lose an opportunity to live another day! In fact, there is this beautiful story that really moved me. Briefly, there was this man who was to die in a few days, unless he got a heart transplant. This was during the days when heart transplants were still at the trial stages. The doctor, realizing the hopeless nature of the case, pointed out to the patient that even a successful transplant could not assure anything, except a few more weeks of life. The patient quietly replied, "Doctor, lying here on this bed, looking out at the trees, seeing the birds flying so freely, and seeing life slowly slip away, has made me think. I might have felt that the extra few days of life were not worth it. But I've realized that life in not measured in days, or hours. To live even one more day would still, to me, be worth everything. How can I ever compare the extra life I'm being offered with anything, to say whether it's worth the trouble? For life is worth more than anything else, be it for just a few seconds more…" Of course, I've not used the exact words, since it's been such a long time ago that I read them. But I hope the man's spirit comes through.
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"I bargained with life for a penny,And life would pay no more.
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid
"This quote says something that we rarely notice, or realize. All of us want to achieve things in life, sure…that's a good reason to live! But very often, many of us give up. You see, opportunities are something that are always present, it's just that we don't recognize them. When we really want something, we have to reach out, and stretch beyond our limitations. We have to realize that if we want to accomplish or achieve something, we have to work towards it, and at times, this might involve inconveniences, troubles, hardships and moments when things don't seem to be all that bright. But then, if you desire it, so you must work towards it. Like the quote says…"Life is a just employer…but once you set the task, you have to bear the task". The further you seek to go, the more must you be ready to toil. But the best thing about all this is, as the quote says…"any wage I had asked of life, life would have willingly paid"…meaning, if you be willing, you can achieve anything, but you have to work towards it. There is no other way, unfortunately. There be only one way to achievement.
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"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;a stranger, and not your own lips
" - Proverbs 27:2This is something I always try to follow, of course, not trying to act as if I have much to praise, but, whatever it might be, just simply that don't say it yourself!
It is not about being modest, it is just a way of carrying on.
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"A twig by itself is too weak; it is twigs in a bundle you seek"So true, is it not? Unity is what holds a family together. Team spirit is what gets a team to bring out the best in themselves. Why, a few hands got together, and built the Taj Mahal
! There is nothing we cannot do, but very often, we need others too.
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"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." - Proverbs 3:27Yes, if only everyone knew this and paid more attention to it! Well, believe me, following this quote is not easy, because many times you might be in situations where it might become a question of helping yourself or the other person. In such a situation, our instinct drives us more than anything else. So, what we ought to look for
is simply wanting to do good, not for anything else, but because it is good to do good.
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"He drew a circle that shut me out -Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win :
We drew a circle that took him in.
" - Edwin Markham.Ah yes! The power of love! We are going to meet a lot of people in our little walk across the corridors of life. At times, we will be loved, and nothing could feel better! But there are times when, well, it might not be as sweet. But
always look upon yourself to win the other person over! They might just be looking for a shoulder to lean on. I truly believe that everyone is capable of "love", but everyone responds differently, that's all.
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" Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,But he with a chuckle replied
That, "May be it couldn’t", but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
on his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
"I fortunately learnt this a long time ago, but must say, it’s easier read then remembered! Oh, but that should not be seen in any other light than that it is in learning that we grow! These days, everyone seems to say this to you, in one way or another. All it means is that nothing ventured, nothing gained. Remember, you’ll never make a mistake only if you never do anything. Progress is never counted by mistakes, but on how far you can get by learning from your mistakes. Though daunting it might be initially, give it a go, and see for yourself…who knows, you might just end up doing the task that couldn’t be done…it’s all in the mind, really…if the mind be willing, why, be there a task that can’t be done? Ask yourself…
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" Have you had a kindness shown?Pass it on;
‘Twas not given for thee alone,
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears,
Till in Heaven the deed appears –
Pass it on.
Yes! Isn’t it a wonderful feeling being complemented? When someone told you what a wonderful red dress you’re wearing, or compliments you on your choice of shirt or tie? Well, the best way to react is to give back a radient smile to show how much you appreciate that someone’s special few words that will probably change the way your day goes thereafter. Keep the joy, but remember to pass on the feeling. Always reserve acts of kindness for nothing. By that, it is meant that kindness should flow naturally from one’s self, and not be the response to some other prior action or deed. But an important thing must be said here -> remember to write acts of kindness on sand…never remember them too consciously, for true kindness is a selfless act, to be performed and because it is good to do so, not for anything or anyone else.
I’m afraid that’s all I’ve had time to pen down. If only I had more time. I actually have a collection of over 1500 personal quotes. As and when I get more quality time, I’ll surely expand this page.
Some of the quotes on my friend Adi's site are among the ones I love a lot too, particularly the first one:"The simple lack of her is more to me than other's presence." - Edward Thomas.