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Walter's tidbits of Wisdom #6; from "The Cultivation of the Senses"
----Franklin wrote this idea about being happy in old age: "Temper over serene ... was never without an object, for when we cease to have an object, we become like an invalid in a hospital waiting for death."
Paine in Age of Reason wrote: "To be happy in old age, it is necessary that we accustom ourselves to objects that can accompany the mind all the way through life ..."
One "object" that has given me a measure of serenity is the observation of a change of meaning of words through the years. For example, we would very likely use the word idea instead of the word object which must have been in common usage in colonial times, but sounds quaint or inexact today. I note such changes whenever I find them.
Franklin would agree with Paine that it is better to have many objects. And when you keep several objects in mind over long periods of time, it is most gratifying to see how frequently you find other people pursuing the same objects. For example, (or for three of four examples,) you might be interested to read in the Feb. 1960, Readers Digest on page 21 a comment by Jas. Stevens: "A good listener makes a good talker." (I recently wrote you that a good listener was necessary for a good conversation.) On the same page M. Goudeket wrote: "Silence is a touchstone between couples," thus expressing much the same idea as the first. (In addition, I have been on the lookout for a touchstone, or for someone who has ever used one for several years, with no luck so far.) On page 22, H. Cohn, writing of Paderewski says: "he used his patience" (as I am trying to use leisure time. He was really cultivating his sense of hearing.) On the same page Clifton Fadiman says that children can learn something of philosophy: "His fresh, active mind should be led to wonder about the universe."----
Do note how the word "object" is used here. Language evolution is something that fascinated Walter so he took a word with its meaning from the Revolutionary times and uses it for this 1960s document.
----Franklin wrote this idea about being happy in old age: "Temper over serene ... was never without an object, for when we cease to have an object, we become like an invalid in a hospital waiting for death."
Paine in Age of Reason wrote: "To be happy in old age, it is necessary that we accustom ourselves to objects that can accompany the mind all the way through life ..."
One "object" that has given me a measure of serenity is the observation of a change of meaning of words through the years. For example, we would very likely use the word idea instead of the word object which must have been in common usage in colonial times, but sounds quaint or inexact today. I note such changes whenever I find them.
Franklin would agree with Paine that it is better to have many objects. And when you keep several objects in mind over long periods of time, it is most gratifying to see how frequently you find other people pursuing the same objects. For example, (or for three of four examples,) you might be interested to read in the Feb. 1960, Readers Digest on page 21 a comment by Jas. Stevens: "A good listener makes a good talker." (I recently wrote you that a good listener was necessary for a good conversation.) On the same page M. Goudeket wrote: "Silence is a touchstone between couples," thus expressing much the same idea as the first. (In addition, I have been on the lookout for a touchstone, or for someone who has ever used one for several years, with no luck so far.) On page 22, H. Cohn, writing of Paderewski says: "he used his patience" (as I am trying to use leisure time. He was really cultivating his sense of hearing.) On the same page Clifton Fadiman says that children can learn something of philosophy: "His fresh, active mind should be led to wonder about the universe."----
Do note how the word "object" is used here. Language evolution is something that fascinated Walter so he took a word with its meaning from the Revolutionary times and uses it for this 1960s document.
Philosophy
English - General
American History
Posted 4 mo ago
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If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
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Oh, and the change of words' meanings as pointed out here between someone from time A vs someone from time B is why our historical documents will have a certain amount of debate as to what was and still is implied. There's a reason why it's been pointed out that "well-regulated" in 1791 had a different meaning then to what it would mean to us today.
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Bethina Lee
True, but isn't everything subjected to interpreting? There are so many examples...however, you know that you have Sheepeople that blindly follow.
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Sun Tzu has many good ones on anger...
“The Supreme Art of War is to subdue the enemy without fighting”
Not sure who the author is this is a good one:
"He who angers you can control your emotions and actions"
“The Supreme Art of War is to subdue the enemy without fighting”
Not sure who the author is this is a good one:
"He who angers you can control your emotions and actions"
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