Einstein and an assistant, having finished a paper, searched the office for a paper clip. They finally found one, too badly bent for use. They looked for an implement to straighten it, and after opening many more drawers came upon a whole box of clips. Einstein at once shaped one into a tool to straighten the bent clip. His assistant, puzzled, asked why he was doing this when there was a whole boxful of usable clips. "Once I am set on a goal it becomes difficult to deflect me," said Einstein.

Einstein was a great scientist and thinker, as well as an advocate for peace. There is a popular myth that he was terrible at math while he was in grade school. While this myth is mostly false, it reveals a deeper truth about Einstein, that he was a scientist renowned for approaching science in unconventional ways. His theories on quantum physics not only advanced scientific knowledge but advanced the way scientists and the general public interpret scientific "facts".

In Einstein's attempt to find a way to straighten a paper clip, he actually ruins another paper clip, because it is more important to him to solve the problem than it is to find an alternative solution.

This anecdote demonstrates the value of determination and perseverance. Once a problem has introduced itself, it is more important (and more satisfying) to solve that problem. Determination is more rewarding than being sensible.

By contrast, someone less determined could have seen the box of good paper clips as a satisfactory solution, but that person would not have the benefit of actually fixing the initial problem and thus the ability to fix such a problem in the future.

In comparison, consider a doctor who knows that Tylenol will cure a headache, but don't understand the various reasons for what causes headaches or even the biology involved in headaches or in Tylenol. At some point the catchall cure might not work, or even worse, might fix the headache but not the infection causing it.

A real world example of how this lesson can be applied can be found in almost any garage in the suburbs. Filled with broken appliances such as a toaster that stopped working or a lawn mower that has worn out or even a classic 1950's Schwinn that has lost its shine. These will all eventually be given up on, no real attempts having been taken to fix them, since it was easier (and sometimes cheaper) to buy a replacement than it is to rewire the toaster, sharpen the mower blade, or tune up the bike.

Support for this anecdote can be found, in sentiment at least, in various places. The Apple Computer slogan "Think Different" encourages taking a step back from the easy and obvious ways of looking at things. An antique dealer will tell you that a great deal of their collection was found abandoned on the side of the road or in someone's garage waiting to be dusted off and fixed.

Finally, this anecdote shows that the answer to our problems in life is not to find the easiest path but the smartest one, which often means actively ignoring the easiest path.

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
–Walt Disney

1. Walt Disney was one of the greatest visionary leaders of the twentieth century. The mastermind of the Disney conglomerate, his imagination took him to great heights during and beyond his lifetime.

2. Learn from the past, but stay focused on making a better future. The human mind is naturally curious, and it is this innate trait that keeps us on the path towards progression.

3. Many people continue to dwell on the past. The reality is that the past can never be altered. However, looking back occasionally to learn from past mistakes enables one to continue to correct these mistakes enabling progress.

4. If people keep moving forward, they may miss focusing on the present and dream of the future. When problems need to be tackled today well, the attitude of continually progressing may prevent immediate attention.

5. Walt Disney is the prime example of his quote. The Disney corporation that we know today did not blossom overnight. It was through his perseverance that children today can have their beloved fairy tales easily accessible through DVD’s, the Web, Disney World, etc.

6. Walt Disney’s imagination for animation and motion pictures has raised the bar with every movie produced. Even without Walt Disney’s physical being present today, Disney’s workers still look back at his career filled with failures and successes to learn and continue to make Disney Inc. keep moving forward with new technologies and new insight.

7. “Playing safe is probably the most unsafe thing in the world. You cannot stand still. You must go forward.” – Robert Collier (motivational author)
“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill (Prime Minister during WWII)
Both men move for people to continue to make change and accomplish goals by keep moving forward. A motivational author and a man who impacted world history share a common belief in striving for improvement.

8. The people most highly respected often have one thing in common-balance. Balance overall is key to being successful in this life; but balance in looking back to learn from previous mistakes to enable progress complements all aspects of life.

Christine Achico

“Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots” - The Prophet Muhammad

1. The Prophet Muhammad was a tremendously influential individual during his days as a religious, military, and political leader of the people of Mecca. Known for his kindness, character, and charity, he left a lasting impact upon the lives of a innumerable amount of people.
2. Above all else it is most important to show sincerity and understanding towards your fellow human beings.
3. Muhammad presents this thought here to remind people that before anything else the most fundamental lesson to be had remains that of learning to treat your fellow mankind with sincerity and compassion.
4. By contrast often times we may allow ourselves to get caught up in the minute details of life or religion that can at times cause us to forget this underlying principle.
5. This can be compared to fantasy football when at times one may get so engrossed in the performance and stats of the individuals on his fantasy roster that he forget to actually enjoy the game.
6. Consider shortly the examples of individuals who wage war in the name of religion. Seemingly they may be forgetting that the most critical idea of religion is treating those around you well.
7. The American Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox once noted:
"So many gods, so many creeds,
So many paths that wind and wind,
While just the art of being kind
Is all the sad world needs."
8. Another thought that comes from the same individual goes like this: "Establish contact with those who have severed relations with you, and be good to those who have treated you badly." I think today one of the ideas that becomes grossly over-looked in our world is the notion of treating others well and with respect. No matter how much we do otherwise if we don't get this basic concept down and further, apply it to our lives, everything else seems petty and goes to waste.

Anecdote:

During the Civil War, Lincoln had occasion at an official reception to refer to the Southerners as erring human beings rather than as enemies to be exterminated. An elderly lady, a fiery patriot, rebuked him for speaking kindly of his enemies when he ought to be thinking of destroying them. "Why, madam," said Lincoln, "do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"

Chreia:

Abraham Lincoln has long been regarded as one of America’s greatest statesman. Charged by history with preserving, then mending, the union of the country, he was able, through the just exercise of wisdom, to steer the United States through its most difficult passage.

Lincoln proved himself able by recognizing that there was but one manner through which the national rift would ultimately be healed: not through the destruction of those standing in disagreement but, rather, through appeal to, and conversion by, a recognized commonality of purpose.

Lincoln’s genius was grounded in his recognition that the nation could only be rejoined by tacking back to precepts upon which the country was founded – the ideals espoused in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This recognition of a national unity during the greatest and most divisive American crisis appears markedly different from the self-serving logos employed by the politicians of today’s “War on Terror.” Rather than appealing to unity, many of today’s elected officials utilize bitter partisanship to plot their transit through such issues as war funding and authorization for electronic eavesdropping. Utilizing a mindset best characterized as “you’re either with us or with the terrorists,” they attain small immediacies at the cost of creating a fractured populace and fostering enduring ill will.

However, such infighting by competing cabals is more a poor salve for political psyche as opposed an effective means of representative government. Time and again, it has been shown that great nations are founded, and prosper, through adherence to policies in which commonality of purpose is best served.

Thus were Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill able to navigate the treacherous waters of the Great Depression and Britain’s “finest hour.” It was only by focusing on the noble goals of a common citizenry that they were able to unite their respective populaces in the face of economic horror and devastating carnage; it was only through a unified response to shared hardship that their countrymen were able to conquer the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of their era.

Indeed, John F. Kennedy created an enduring imprint of this lesson upon the American consciousness when, during his inaugural address, he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

Kennedy spoke to an entire nation, the common citizenry and “heirs of its first revolution.” But, as stirring as his appeal was, it merely seconded the one made a hundred years earlier by Abraham Lincoln to a single, elderly woman; one which, a hundred years before that, had been made by Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers to their formerly sovereign government. Separated by time and circumstance, each shared a singular appeal, one which espoused the prevailing belief in a democracy the like of which the world had never seen – a form of government which held as its most basic premise that the welfare of the common man is best served through a unification of interest; and that the resulting ship of state is best piloted through a pursuit of the common good.

Anecdote...

Molnár and a friend had been given complimentary tickets for a particularly uninspiring play. After the opening scene, Molnár decided to leave. "You can't walk out," hissed his friend. "We're guests of the management." Molnár reluctantly returned to his seat and sat through a few more lines of dialogue. Then he stood up again. "Now where are you going?" asked his friend impatiently "To the box office," replied Molnár, "to buy two tickets so we can leave."
-Ferenc Molnár

(Praise for the author): Molnár was known for his work as a Hungarian playright and novelist. In 1909 his fame grew internationally when producing the classic play "Liliom". Then, in 1923 his success continued as he made "The Red Mill" an all time favorite. His success lead him to produce award winning novels and short stories.
(Paraphrase the saying): It would be rude to reject this invitation while we are here, however, we should stay out of respect for the person who gave us complimentary tickets. Well, if we purchase tickets we would not have to feel obligated to stay.
(Cause or reason for saying): It seems like Molnár was being honest with his feelings and leaving a play he had no interest for but since they were complimentary tickets the friend made him feel guilty at first. Therefore, he felt that if they purchased two tickets, he nor the friend would have to sit through boredom.
(A contrast): If they sat through the play, if he was to listen to words that did not he did not want to hear, if Molnár and his friend started a conversation during an important scene, if they were to fall asleep, and if they were to even whisper during the most quiet moment, then their friend would know they did not appreciate the tickets.
(A comparison): If they were to leave, were to exit peacefully, were to purchase tickets, then those seeking satisfaction would all be satisfied.
(An example): This example may not be completely the case but seems similiar. The Will and Grace show produced a Christmas episode where Will spent Christmas with Karyn and Jack because Grace was now married and spending her first Christmas with her husband who is a doctor. Graceand her husband decide to celebrate Christmas at the theater to see Grace's childhood favorite "The Nutcracker." Her husband gets an unexpected page to go to the hospital before the movie starts, thus , he has to leave. So, Grace calls her friend Will and he comes to her rescue as usual so she would not be alone. Then her husband returns because it was a false alarm, Will leaves only to return again (due to another unexpected page abandoning Karyn and Jack). To make a long story short, Will finally expresses that Grace needs to decide who she wants to celebrate Christmas with and she chose Will. However when Grace and Will went into the theater to view the play, Will exits and hangs out with Grace's husband in the lobby (because The Nutcracker is boring to him) only to give his seat to an aquintance of theirs who has a crush on Grace (but the acquintance also annoys Grace).
(Testimony): Unfortunately but realistically, Mariede Svign suggests a valid argument about honesty by stating "Truth and tears clear the way to a deep and lasting friendship. True friendship is never serene." Molnár may not have shown empathy to the situation, but at least he decided out of respect "to buy two tickets" before leaving . Maybe Svign statement can add some logic or justification that atleast Molnár was being truthful to his emotions or how he was feeling.
(Epilogue): Although it was rude of Molnár to leave given the play tickets were free, I have to give him a little credit as he replied to his friend he was headed to"The Box Office" inorder "to buy two tickets so we can leave."

By constant flattery the hedonistic philosopher Aristippus managed to gain a comfortable position at the court of Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse. One day, observing Diogenes preparing some lentils for a meager meal, Aristippus offered some worldly wisdom to his fellow sage: "If you would only learn to compliment Dionysius, you wouldn't have to live on lentils."
"And if you would only learn to live on lentils, you wouldn't have to flatter Dionysius," retorted Diogenes.

Diogenes was a very wise philosopher to have come this conclusion. He should be praised for showing a unique understanding of the human condition through his recognition that serving the interests of others for one’s own gain will not bring happiness or satisfaction. His view was a harbinger for the freedom and Democracy we know today.

Trying to gain status while flattering others and giving up self-respect is not what was meant for human beings. Adjust your life to gain as much freedom as possible even if it means you only eat lentils.

In this anecdote, Diogenes shows one way in which you can preserve your own freedom and personal liberties by sacrificing something of lesser importance. This anecdote was said in order to move people toward a more Democratic and free government.

In contrast, putting yourself at the service of others in the hopes of improving your social position will enslave you to those people. Your freedom will be squashed.

Diogenes’ words ring true in any relationship. The more you lower yourself to the other, the more freedom you lose. By treating each other as equals, it is possible to experience freedom that is otherwise unattainable.

A great example of Diogenes theory is in the Declaration of Independence. When Americans felt like they had honored the King enough, they rejected his rule and felt they should instead be entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Today, the United States is arguably the pinnacle of freedom on earth.

Patrick Henry said it best – “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

Freedom is one of the most precious rights humans have. To give it away merely to improve your status and social situation is wrong. It is necessary to make sacrifices in order to preserve the most important things.

Philip A. Kerr

"Don't introduce me to him," said Lamb urgently when a friend offered to present a man whom Lamb had for a long time disliked by hearsay. "I want to go on hating him, and I can't do that to a man I know." –Charles Lamb

Charles Lamb possessed the sophistication to become a renowned literary critic as well as the delicacy to publish books for children. His ability to call things as he sees them displays his insight into human nature and serve as a point of confliction between politeness and the reality in which it exists. In this saying, Lamb exhorts an aspect of personal interaction that, while most people won’t admit, all seem to follow. In effect, Lamb suggests that it’s much easier, and often preferable, for one to hate the constructed idea of a person than it is to hate the actual person. Lamb’s purpose in saying this is not to come across as a nice guy; it’s also not to win a popular consensus on account of affability. His purpose is to divulge one of the many charades that exists in the current culture of genteel gestures and urbane customs in favor of a much more realistic view—sometimes it feels good to hate someone. It seems that in this politically correct age in which we live, it’s standard operating procedure to smile in your opponent’s face while attempting to bury them in public. How many times have we heard, “I’m honored to be here in this debate with [Senator Whoever]” just before sullying said Senator’s perceived integrity in a public forum? The fact is that it is easier to despise someone you don’t know. Even today people hold such contempt for politicians, people whom they have no way of knowing on a personal basis. An example resonant, even today, occurs when even though I know better, yet and still, I find myself guilty of making incredibly condemnatory judgments of regarding the character of Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama. Personally, I feel much better believing that one encourages positive national change while the other represents the evils of privileged greed and the cyclical trend of bureaucratic government run afoul. When Time phoned several ambassadors to the capital in 1948 in order to find out what they wanted for Christmas, most replied that they merely desired world peace or an end to freedom for those enslaved by imperialism. Sir Oliver Shewell Franks said, “Well, it's very kind of you to ask," came the polite voice of Sir Oliver."I'd quite like a box of crystallized fruit." This down-to-earth viewpoint is something that is scarce in society today. Sometimes it feels refreshing to say what you mean. Sometimes it feels great to vilify your rival. Sometimes it feels right to hate someone even though you know it’s not justified.

Anecdote:

Welcome to Athens

Socrates was sitting outside of the gates of Athens when a man came up to him and said, ‘I am thinking about moving into Athens. Can you please tell me what it is like to live here?’ Socrates replied, ‘I would be happy to tell you, but first would you please tell me what it was like in your previous home city?’ The man quickly roared, ‘Oh, it was awful. The people stab you in the back and rob you blind. I am not leaving any friends, only enemies.’ Socrates frowned and sadly continued, ‘Well, you best be on your way because you will find the same thing here in Athens.’

A little while later another man stopped to speak to Socrates and inquired, ‘I was considering moving here to Athens. Can you tell me what it is like to live here?’ Socrates again replied, ‘I would be happy to tell you, but first would you please tell me what it was like in your previous home city?’ The man smiled and said, ‘Where I come from the people all work together and help each other. Kindness is everywhere and you are never treated with anything but the utmost respect.’ ‘Welcome to Athens,’ smiled Socrates,‘ You will find the same thing here.’

A brilliant philosopher, Socrates knew the importance of keeping a positive outlook. It is said that during his military service, Socrates kept the same demeanor even in the most grim situations. In short, the meaning of this anecdote is, "Life is what you make of it." The reason Socrates sent the first man away from Athens but welcomed the second man is because the second man had a positive outlook on life. Socrates knew that both men had likely experienced positive and negative encounters in their former residences. The difference was that the first man focused on his negative experiences, allowing his bad emotions to consume him while the second man brought with him only positive memories because they made him feel happy. No place on earth is perfect, and the first man would presumably find things he did not like about any city. The second man would find positive things about any city he chose to live in. Sometimes however, it is important to remember a negative encounter if there is a lesson to be learned from it. When I was little, I loved to play outside in the Winter but found my bulky jacket to be uncomfortable and burdensome. My mother would always force me to put it on before I left the house. She would say, "If you don't wear your jacket, you'll catch a cold." Still, I would take it off the second I was out of her sight. As long I kept moving, I stayed relatively warm. One day, after returning from a game of football with my friends, I started feeling very feverish. For the next couple of weeks, I was stuck in doors with the flu. Now, if I ever contemplate wearing a jacket during cold weather, I remember how bad I felt that winter and I grab my coat. For the short, stubby actor Danny Devito however, the anecdote involving Aristotle could not be truer. The actor, who stands at barely five feet tall, went to talent agent after talent agent, only to be told that he was too ugly, too fat, and too short to be in movies. Instead of focusing on his shortcomings though, Devito focused on his love for acting. He did several plays to satisfy his passion, and eventually, he landed roles in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and television shows like "Taxi". An example of the meaning of this Anecdote is my favorite restaurant, Madam Maam's. The food at the restaurant is terrific, but the service there is terrible. Still, if I think too much about how bad the service is, I will not be able to fully enjoy the meal. When I go there, I do anything to keep my mind off the service. I will focus on something else like the scenery until my food arrives. Every time I eat there, the food is just as delicious. Jesus Christ said that men should have the faith of a mustard seed. The seed knows it will grow into a large tree and simply does. If a man sees only the negative things that happen to him, he will not notice the good things that are happening in his life. If however, like a mustard seed, a man knows that good things are going to happen to him, he will not notice the negative events near as much, and therefore, have a much happier life.

Deliberating whether to attack the Persians, Croesus asked the oracle of Delphi if the undertaking would prosper. The oracle replied that if he went to war, he would destroy a great empire. Encouraged, Croesus invaded the Persian realms. He was decisively beaten and the Persians then invaded Lydia, captured its capital, and threw Croesus himself into chains. Croesus again sent an envoy to Delphi, this time with the question, "Why did you deceive me?" The priestess of the oracle replied that she had not deceived him — Croesus had indeed destroyed a great empire.

*Croesus’ situation is a timeless one, and it offers a great lesson for every generation to learn. Many people assume too much when interpreting texts and information, and often only hear what they want to. *This anecdote serves as a great reminder that everything is open to interpretation, and that it is prudent to be cautious when making decisions. *Too often do people make rash decisions without a full understanding of the situations that they are getting involved with. *Unfortunately, not all information is laid out clearly and unambiguously like cooking directions or instruction manuals. However, many people do not realize this and often come to conclusions on false or incomplete premises. Realities like morning and night, East and West, and good and bad, all depend on a person’s particular location at a particular time and the relativity of their situations. Croesus’ mistake is in disregarding this fact; however, many people disregard the relativity of their situations as well. *For example, when many countries go to war, both sides initially believe that god, fate, or however one might interpret an almighty power, is on their side. *Which one is right? This anecdote brings light to this question, but does not beg for an answer, or even allude to their being one. It only serves to caution people to think before they act. Several anecdotes, fables, and maxims serve this purpose; the boy who cried wolf alludes to this very concept. If the boy had considered the perspective of the town’s people and not taken their protectiveness for granted, then he would have realized that his actions were not going to work out in his favor. If Croesus had a broader perspective when interpreting the priestess’ statement, then he might have realized that it was in his best interest to consult the oracle again or not to go to war at all. *Mistakes of this caliber happen quit often today. When the United States declared its war on terror in 2001, the majority of people supported the effort without realizing the lengthy and continuous impact that it might have on them and the nation as a whole. Not surprisingly, 6 years later, the war has lost many of its supporters and many more are wondering if it was even worth having in the first place. Millions of people in the United States now regret their decision to support the war, but they cannot take back what has happened. *Much like Croesus, we have found ourselves in the midst of misinterpreted statements and situations that have led to something that we never expected. We should have been more cautious when making our decision.

Einstein and an assistant, having finished a paper, searched the office for a paper clip. They finally found one, too badly bent for use. They looked for an implement to straighten it, and after opening many more drawers came upon a whole box of clips. Einstein at once shaped one into a tool to straighten the bent clip. His assistant, puzzled, asked why he was doing this when there was a whole boxful of usable clips. "Once I am set on a goal it becomes difficult to deflect me," said Einstein.
[Einstein said to an assistant at Princeton that this was the most characteristic anecdote that could be told of him.]

1. Albert Einstein was a great physicist whose research and scientific discoveries are still being used today. His formulation of the theory of relativity was a tremendous scientific breakthrough and has influenced most major physicists who have come after Einstein.
2. Einstein was so goal oriented that he manipulated a paper clip only to use it as a tool to fix another paper clip.
3. Einstein demonstrates how important it is to work hard and to remain focused on your goals. It did not matter that he found a solution to his original problem; in his search for a solution he found another problem and he had to solve it before he could continue.
4. By contrast, many physicists took scientific proofs for granted and did not pursue questioning the reasoning behind them vigorously enough. Instead of solving every little problem that arose they were content in finding simple solutions to their problems.
5. This is comparable to pro athletes who focus too much on scoring touchdowns or hitting home runs instead of solving the little problems - like route running or stance - first.
6. The New England Patriots are undefeated this year and they contend that their goal is to win one game at a time and that they are successful because everyone on their team “does their job.” They are not distracted by their winning and each player focuses on solving their own problem.
7. Many agree with Einstein’s work ethic. W. E. Jung. explains that “The likelihood of finding yourself distracted depends on at least two things: your determination to work and the level of distraction in the surroundings. It is critical that you both have the determination to work and are in an environment sufficiently conducive to work. Then, the second step is to keep starting. It is probably unreasonable to expect yourself to stay at a constantly high level of determination and focus. You must keep starting and keep working after breaks and setbacks.”
8. Albert Einstein teaches us the important lesson that you should finish what you start. More importantly, one should not discount new and creative ways of problem solving.

Albert Einstein
Anecdote: Einstein and an assistant, having finished a paper, searched the office for a paper clip. They finally found one, too badly bent for use. They looked for an implement to straighten it, and after opening many more drawers came upon a whole box of clips. Einstein at once shaped one into a tool to straighten the bent clip. His assistant, puzzled, asked why he was doing this when there was a whole boxful of usable clips. "Once I am set on a goal it becomes difficult to deflect me," said Einstein. [Einstein said to an assistant at Princeton that this was the most characteristic anecdote that could be told of him.]

Albert Einstein, a German-Swiss-American, is one of the most noted mathematicians and physicists of the 20th century due to his strategy of visualization and determination for solving scientific and philosophical problems. Throughout Einstein’s lifetime he was honored for much of his work including solving theories in the fields of relativity, radiation and statistical mechanics as well as receiving honorary doctorate degrees from many European and American universities in the fields of science, medicine and philosophy. His work and achievements did not go unnoticed as he was the recipient of some of the most prestigious awards including the Nobel prize for physics (1921), the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London (1925) and the Franklin medal of the Franklin Institute (1935).

After Einstein finished a paper he searched for a paperclip; however, he could only find an overused bent clip. While looking for a tool to straighten the clip, Einstein found a new box of clips. Instead of using one of the new clips to fasten his paper he transformed one of the new clips into a device to straighten the bent clip. His confused assistant inquired why he just didn’t use one of the usable clips. Einstein responded that “Once I am set on a goal it becomes difficult to deflect me.”

Einstein was a man of perseverance and investigation. Every finding led him to the next step in developing a new theory or discovery. This goal seeking mentality led Einstein to his many noted achievements.

In contrast to Einstein’s goal driven frame of mind, many people today only complete what is necessary. For example, in today’s university environment, many college students take the easy way out of assignments by reading cliff notes or half way finishing an assignment because it is only for credit instead of for a grade.

This anecdote is synonymous to my experience as a child practicing scales with my grandfather. After playing the same scale for what seemed like hours, he would not let me stop until I completed the scale perfectly. My grandfather, only accepting perfection from me, would not conclude my lesson until the scale was played without any mistakes. He constantly reminded me of the common aphorism “practice makes perfect.”

For example, Thomas Alva Edison, a famous American inventor followed the same principle of determination when she said “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

Einstein was one of many noted individuals that would not walk away from a given problem. Similarly, Margret Thatcher, a British stateswoman, has been quoted saying, “I’ve got a woman’s ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it.”

Albert Einstein continuously preached this message of perseverance when commenting “It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.” His discipline and patience were fundamental aspects in discovering his many theories and scientific principles.

Alle Crouch

Quote: Bomb Threat
With the increase in terrorism, George was becoming more and more concerned about the risk of there being a bomb on the many flights that he takes around the world. His concern became so great that he asked a statistician friend to work out the probability of there being a bomb on any one plane.

After some research his friend came up with a result which, although very small, still gave George some concern. After a few minutes reflection, George asked the statistician to work out the probability of there being two bombs aboard. It turned out that the risk of this happening was negligibly small — so George resolved to always take a bomb on board with him.

George was arrested at London Heathrow last week.

1. The saying itself is commical. Though it is a serious issue, you can't help but laugh at this man's stupidity. It just goes to show that we shouldn't take stats too literally! AND what if someone else were to have had a bomb too? Is he just going to beat him to pulling the string and blow them all up before the other guy had a chance to?
2. There once was a man who, after the terrorist attacks, became frightful of flying on planes. He asked a statistician to come up with the odds of someone carrying a bomb on board a plane. The chances were minimal, but he was so afraid he decided to carry a bomb with him, just in case. He ended up getting arrested.
3. This was said probably to enlighten people about not over-reacting.
4. In contrast, most people aren't that terrified to take a bomb ANYWHERE with them!
5. This story kind of compares to the people that think they need to carry "protection" (aka guns, knives, etc). Just like George's situation, if people would leave their "protection" at home, it would allievate some of the problems/accidents we have today.
6. For example, take a gun onto school properties (or gun-free zones) and you can get in some major trouble if someone finds out.
7. The news gives testimony every week as to why we should leave weapons at home because they have the potential to do more bad than good. A man named Ari Berman supports this also by saying, "Our most urgent challenge is ending the threat of guns and the violence they do."
8. He was trying to protect himself, yet ultimately he could harm himself and others. Afterall, what would he have done if someone aboard his plane had a bomb? Set it off before him? And still kill everyone? That's silly. We all need to think about our actions and not be too fearful.

DIETING AND FASTING

While traveling with a family, a priest spots the convent of a group of nuns who are known for their austere lifestyle. He starts telling his companions about these religious women's asceticism.

"They eat only once a day," says the priest.

"I'm on a diet," butts in the daughter of the family. "I, too, eat only once a day. What's the big deal?"

"My child, you diet to make your body pleasing to yourself and to others," responds the priest quietly. "The nuns fast to make their souls pleasing to God."

Celebratory Piece

The fashion world has always had an impact to how women "should" look like concerning body weight. A woman should be thin to be beautiful and appealing to others or just to fit in. Our body is the temple of god and should be treated with respect and not as a fashion statement to please others in this world.

As a respectful tribute to god the nuns have sacraficed two meals out of their diet. A young girl also diets and eats only once a day but not for the same purpose. The girl does it for beauty reasons and that does not compare to why the nuns do it aswell. Fasting is a religious cleansing as a tribute to god and should be recognized that way.

This anecdote may have been written for many reasons but I believe it was done to show that dieting and fasting are two completely different things. These two should not be compared in the same way in any point. Fasting is a sacred thing to religious followers and dieting has become more of a fashionable thing to do. It is something that should be kept separate and not compared.

In contrast one could be dieting for health related reasons and not just for the pleasure of one self or others. Heart disease and diabetes is a major health related issue affecting many Americans today and one strategy is too eat healthier. This doesn't mean eat once a day but with smaller portions and with more greens and fruits etc.

Even though the nuns and the girl diet or fast for completely different reasons, they both will feel satified for their purpose, for losing weight or for respect to god.

Just like the nuns fast for the cleasing of their soul for god, many religious people do the same today. Fasting is done to show that we rely on god to feed our souls and that his word is all we need and depend on to live by. The example is given directly by god. He fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil to convert rocks into bread. God responded that man does not live on bread but by the word of god himself.

My father has fasted many times and as a result he says he feels like a better man. He feels closer to god through the process of fasting aswell. During the day of fasting I see how concentrated and quite he becomes because of his devotion to god.

Fasting and dieting are two completely different things and should definitely not be compared in any way or meaning. Fasting is a sacred way to feel closer to god. Its more of a cleasing of the body and soul for god. Dieting is a type of lifestyle change for many reasons like just feeling and looking good to health related issues to decrease or prevent heart disease and/or diabetes.

Anadeli De Jesus

Anecdote...

During the 1957 World Series, Yankee catcher Yogi Berra noticed that Aaron grasped the bat the wrong way. "Turn it around," he said, "so you can see the trademark." But Hank kept his eye on the pitcher's mound; "Didn't come up here to read. Came up here to hit."

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1. Hank Aaron is very desreving of praise for his steadfast adherence to success. Hank Aaron always worked very hard and was loved by many fans. His tremendous talent and work ethic are unmatched. He will always be remembered favorably by history.

2. Hank Aaron refused to turn his bat around even though he was holding it wrong because he was focusing on hitting the ball.

3. Hank Aaron demonstrated that one should always keep their eye on the prize. They should focus on the task at hand rather than be distracted by unimportant things.This is true because these unimportant things can actually hinder the pursuit of one's goals. These distractions take energy and effort away from the task and undermine one's ability to reach their goals.

4. By contrast, other batters were more concerned with how their bat has held and they were not as successful as Hank Aaron. Especially since Hank Aaron was the Homerun King. These batters did not hold the art of hitting as their primary goal, rather they allow other things to distract them.

5. This is comparable to parents who allow trivial issues such as prestige distract them from their task of raising their children to be good people.

6. For example, last year congress tried to reform the immigration system, yet they allowed the notion of compromise and political image to distract them from this goal and nothing was accomplished.

7. Many individuals agree that one must look at their goals and not be distracted. ANDREA COOMBES explains in the Wall Street Journal, "If you clarify your goals, it's easier to make the right choice when weighing instant gratification -- those great shoes you want to buy -- against that African safari you'd like to take next year, or funding your kids' college education." This shows that it is important to not let instant gratification or other distraction prevent you from reaching your goal.

8. Hank Aaron teaches us a valuable lesson when he refused to allow the opposing catcher to distract him from his task of hitting. This action should be taken as an example for all of us. We should all keep our priorities in line and be sure to follow them and prevent distractions.

SAYING:

"The secret of staying young," comedienne Lucille Ball once declared, "is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."

CHREIA:

This larger than life comment could only come from a woman with a reputation for being larger than life herself. The fact that she attempts to end the age-old quest for eternal youth with a joke reflects the jovial, light-hearted humor that characterized Lucille Ball’s life.

With this advice, Ball reassures the public that the secrets to a long life are simple. Whereas many people exercise, create elaborate diets, or take any multitude of vitamins in order to prolong life, Ball insists that the steps are less complicated. According to Ball, making good and safe life decisions and eating slowly are smart and obvious choices, but she suggests that the only surefire way to be young is to keep your age as low as you can possibly convince people.

In a time when it was important for starlets to appear young to succeed, it was equally important to Ball. After gaining fame as an actress, singer, dancer, comedienne and the first woman to ever own a major television studio, Ball had a successful reputation that she had to maintain. In this saying, Ball is sharing with others her secret to appearing young without working so hard at it.

On the other hand, Ball’s theory doesn’t work biologically. Even though you may feel 28 at heart forever, your body continues to grow older without you. Age is just a number, and your body will expire no matter how slowly you ate your food, how well you lived your life, or how many people believed your fibs.

A person who follows these rules is almost guaranteed youth. People who live lives that are free of crime remove themselves from dangerous situations, stress and worry that can bring about old age. People who eat their food slowly avoid choking and a premature death. And since we determine the age of another person from the number they give us as their age, the lower the number we hear, the younger we believe that person to be. People who give a lower number as their age will be young to others.

Ball was probably the greatest example of the success of her own advice. In real life, Ball was actually six years older than her husband, Desi Arnaz. The pair did not want others to know their age difference, so they told everyone that they were both born in 1914, three years after Ball’s real birth date. For years, she appeared younger to a multitude of people, simply by lying about her age.

The need for performers to appear young is still present in today’s society. Nellie McKay is a singer, songwriter, actress, former stand-up comedienne and wearer of many hats, just like Ball. In an interview, she wondered, “I don’t know why more people don’t lie about their age, considering what an ageist society we live.” After acknowledging the need for performers to appear so young, McKay went on to admit that she had lied about her age numerous times, and the result was others thinking she was younger than her actual age.

Since she uses a joke to tell us the secret to eternal youth, Lucille Ball subtly hints to us that the actual trick to staying young is humor. It is as simple as the other processes she mentions, and it seems to have worked for her. “I Love Lucy” still makes people laugh half a century later, and Ball’s bursting personality is forever preserved in her imaginative humor.

Citation-When Franklin was dining out in Paris, one of the other diners posed the question: "What condition of man most deserves pity?" Each guest proposed an example of such a pitiable condition. When Franklin's turn came, he offered: "A lonesome man on a rainy day who does not know how to read."

Benjamin Franklin possessed a passionate desire to learn and held the utmost respect for the written word. Without his diplomacy, ingenuity and scientific ambition, civilization in America would be without the pillars on which it stands.

During a dinner conversation in Paris Benjamin Franklin was asked, “What condition of man deserves most pity?” Being the scholar he was Franklin replied, “A lonesome man on a rainy day who does not know how to read.” Franklin seems to imply that those who do not at least have literacy suffer true loneliness – a situation truly worthy of pity.

For even in the loneliest times of a man’s life, if he has literacy, at least he can explore and expand intellectually.

By contrast in today’s culture the man who is uneducated and illiterate may find intellectual purpose and work through other mediums, but will always remain one step behind.

Consider by comparison a musician. The violinist could invent the grandest pieces, but for he could not compose. His magnificence was destined to be forgotten until he learned to compose; now he leads the orchestra.

For example, the native Indians of the Americas were taken advantage of by those with education and literacy. They suffered the pains of true loneliness because they did not have the intellectual means to overcome their oppression. The Indians, like the man alone in his house on a rainy day, suffered from illiterate oppression.

Benjamin Franklin was not alone in his theory of education and literacy. One of the most noted figures in African American history, Frederick Douglas, once said, "To educate a man is to unfit him to be a slave."

Benjamin Franklin was a publisher, inventor and statesman whose words, ideas and beliefs revolutionized the civilization we know and live in today. His thinking was far ahead of his time and his words were beyond his wisdom. People today should read his words with care and seek his ambition for it will bring about the opposite of loneliness.

Winston Churchill once said, "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others."

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1. Winston Churchill was a gifted and brave statesman, well-read and well-suited to his job as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; he guided his nation through the dark days of the Second World War. A winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Churchill's numerous offhand quips have become the stuff of legend.

2. With this particular anecdote, Churchill astutely observes that while democracy is riddled with many problems of its own, it works better and more fairly than older systems such as monarchies and authoritarian dictatorships.

3. The remark serves to caution against praising democracy too loftily or fetishizing it as is politically fashionable right now, and also as a reminder that as bad as things get in democracies, the evils of authoritarian systems (such as Churchill faced during his first term in office) are far worse.

4. Our President and many on the right and left tout democracy as a panacea for all of the world's ills, but it's jerry-rigged and adapts as imperfectly and slowly as any juggernaut of a governing system is wont to do. In light of Churchill's learned, experience-honed opinion, people who unreservedly heap praise on democracy sound naive and uneducated.

5. Churchill's remark addresses such unbridled enthusiasm much as a friend might caution a lovestruck friend to take off his rose-tinted glasses.

6. America and China are both prime examples of radically different approaches to government. While America suffers from gender inequality in many ways, in China this problem is much more pronounced, and the state-enforced "one-child" policy has resulted in a so-called "lost generation of girls," which is in turn a result of parents deliberately killing or abandoning "undesirable" female children in favor of males. In a more open and democratic environment, women could make their voices heard in order to counter the effects of this barbaric and backward practice.

7. Every collegiate government textbook I've read enumerates and analyzes the many flaws inherent in America's particular form of democracy, but is quick to point out that there is much that works in the system and even many perceived weaknesses, such as the agonizing slowness of Congress, are not without their upsides.

8. Winston Churchill was of a breed of statesman rarely seen today. He was a well-educated intellectual, a thinker as well as an actor, witty, wise and strong. His words continue to echo today for good reason. His observation of democracy as a first-hand participant should give as much pause to those who denounce democracy as it should to those who see it as a manifestation of God's will on Earth.

Ajai Raj

-----------------Anecdote-----------------

Five Monkeys (http://www.mwls.co.uk/anecdote.htm)

There was an interesting experiment that started with five monkeys in a cage. A banana hung inside the cage with a set of steps placed underneath it. After a while, a monkey went to the steps and started to climb towards the banana, but when he touched the steps, he set off a spray that soaked all the other monkeys with cold water. Another monkey tried to reach the banana with the same result. It didn't take long for the monkeys to learn that the best way to stay dry was to prevent any monkey from attempting to reach the banana.

The next stage of the experiment was to remove the spray from the cage and to replace one of the monkeys with a new one. Of course, the new monkey saw the banana and went over to climb the steps. To his horror, the other monkeys attacked him. After another attempt, he learnt that if he touched the steps, he would be assaulted.

Next, another of the original five was replaced with a new monkey. The newcomer went to the steps and was attacked. The previous newcomer joined in the attack with enthusiasm!

Then, a third monkey was replaced with a new one and then a fourth. Every time a newcomer approached the steps, he was attacked. Most of the monkeys beating him had no idea why they were not allowed to climb the steps or why they were joining in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing the fifth monkey, none of the monkeys had ever been sprayed with water. Still, no monkey ever approached the steps. Why not? Because as far as they knew it was the way it had always been done around here... and that is how company policy begins.

-----------------Celebratory Piece-----------------

The anecdote "Five Monkeys" conveys an incredibly realistic and disturbing characteristic of corporate culture in society today. The author utilizes a colorful story and our close primate relatives to draw vivid comparisons to how we - being touted as most advanced of the great apes - function in similar regards when placed in similar situations, void of creative thinking.

The author recounts a cold and sterile scientific experiment, where monkeys' actions are crafted and contorted to fall in-line with set norm, despite that particular behavior no longer being necessary in the environment. The monkeys in this anecdote fail to recognize and acknowledge the changes in their environment, and thus are stuck in a behavioral circle that is neither productive or good for the collective whole.

The author creates this picture to draw stark relationships to our own environment - an environment where we, like the monkeys, exist in cold and sterile conditions, projecting rules and regulations that are neither necessary or beneficial. By making this comparison, our behavioral habits are called into question. But also, by creating this connection between us - the greatest of the apes - and monkeys, the very sense of pride and satisfaction we feed off of, thanks to our position at the top, is challenged and insulted. This challenge is a powerful way of invoking the change in thought this author is attempting to create.

While it may be argued that the corporate culture as illustrated in this anecdote is slowing becoming extinct - for example, in the creative and stimulating environments at google.com, or with the the slides connecting floors at Red Bull's London headquarters - for the most part I would argue that these are most definitely exceptions. The very success and cult-like following of films like Office Space - complete with gopher farm-like cubicles and miserable TPS reports - is difficult to argue against.

Around the University of Texas, where thousands of graduates are thrown into the general population workforce each year, evidence of this corporate culture phenomenon runs rampant. A close friend of mine, recent UT engineering grad, and contractor to a contractor working for NASA has her own tales of nightmarish weekly TPS reports, complete with ultra-specific TPS report formatting and not one, but three bosses. She claims the TPS reports could be eliminated with a few select emails, but evolution of thought isn't allowed in her particular workplace.

Perhaps this is why hopes and dreams of being self-employed are beginning to become so popular - the monkeys are finally starting to examine life outside the cage of corporate imprisonment.

Daniel Kietzer

ANECDOTE: Oscar Wilde died in a cheap hotel on the left-bank of France. He hated the way the room was decorated but couldn't afford to move. Seconds before he died he turned to his friends and said "either this wallpaper goes, or I do".

Oscar Wilde is a world-famous, successful poet and author infamous for his wit and commitment to Aestheticism. He suffered from an ear affliction that worsened in prison, eventually developing into fatal cerebral meningitis. He spent his last days in a room that was in complete contradiction to his aesthetic nature. Right before he dies he turns to his friends and utters, "either this wallpaper goes or I do". Wilde's last words show his commitment to and high regard for wit. Usually the deathbed is filled with words of wisdom or attempts at atonement--usually of a very serious nature. Wilde felt humor was as deserving of the space occupied by such things, and reminds everyone in his last words not to take life too seriously. Similarly, Mark Twain said "Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place." A recent example of this in action occured between my friend Matt and I. Matt is a nurse, and I was asking him about the procedure for bone marrow biopsies. I was very nervous and scared because I recently found out I needed to get one. As Matt explained the procedure to me, I got a little more nervous. But then he says "Yes, it's pretty painful. But it's got nothing on you. You're a BEAST." He then takes my skinny arm in an attempt to flex. It made me laugh and my nervousness completely melted away. In fact, medical experts have empirical evidence that proves laughter is really the best medicine as it reduces stress levels and quickens the process of recovery. So when life gets you down or you find yourself stressed, no matter how grave or small the situation, look to the power of laughter. Take a cue from Wilde who in his last words reminds the world not to take itself too seriously and to always remember to laugh!

ANECDOTE-
The playwright Charles MacArthur had been brought to Hollywood to do a screenplay, but was finding it difficult to write visual jokes.



"What's the problem?" asked Chaplin.



"How, for example, could I make a fat lady, walking down Fifth Avenue, slip on a banana peel and still get a laugh? It's been done a million times," said MacArthur. "What's the best way to GET the laugh? Do I show first the banana peel, then the fat lady approaching, then she slips? Or do I show the fat lady first, then the banana peel, and THEN she slips?"



"Neither," said Chaplin without a moment's hesitation. "You show the fat lady approaching; then you show the banana peel; then you show the fat lady and the banana peel together; then she steps OVER the banana peel and disappears down a manhole."

CHREIA EXERCISE-
Charlie Chaplin was a comedian known for his innovative, spontaneous use of visual comedy. Armed with perfect comedic timing, he won the hearts of audiences around the world during his lifetime of achievement in film.

When asked the best way to get a laugh out of a woman stepping on a banana peel, Chaplin replied, “You show the fat lady approaching; then you show the banana peel; then you show the fat lady and the banana peel together; then she steps OVER the banana peel and disappears down a manhole.” In this anecdote, Chaplin demonstrated that the art of comedy cannot be reduced down to a formula, but lies in bringing the unexpected to reality. True comedy requires a knowledge of the audience’s expectations, and the ability to creatively defy them.

Many comedies today fall flat because they stick to predetermined formulas. For example, the romantic comedy genre has evolved into a single plotline- man (or woman) has problems with their love life for one reason or another. Enter member of the opposite sex. Man and woman are attracted to each other. Enter crisis. Man and woman endure difficult time. Man and woman end up happily ever after at end of movie. The formulas are predictable, boring, and do little to excite the audience’s imagination.

Some comedies, however, have sought to break out of the “comedic box” and develop the spontaneity Chaplin described in the anecdote. One example is Bottle Rocket, the first film directed by Wes Anderson. The movie centered around two friends (one of whom was recently released from a mental institution), who decided to take up a life of crime. Rather than work with traditional comedic plot development, the writers sought to infuse the unexpected into the movie with quirky, often weird characters and awkward situations. Anderson displayed a knowledge of comedic value in the movie by defying the audience’s expectations for the movie.

The English writer Horace Walpole once said, “Life is a tragedy for those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.” Comedy involves thought, creativity, and the ability to take what life has given you and turn it into something funny. Chaplin demonstrated his ability to think on his feet to entertain audiences without adhering to formulas.

Charlie Chaplin knew what made a true comedy, and was always able to provide audiences with something unexpected. The entertainment industry today would do well to listen to Chaplin’s advice, and use the creativity of men like Chaplin instead of relying on prepackaged comedic plot lines.

Citation: On one occasion, Howard Cosell was smoking in an elevator in the ABC building when a woman got on. "Must you smoke that thing in this elevator?" she pointedly asked. Howard puffed his cigar before addressing the complaint. "My dear, I'm Howard Cosell," he finally declared. "And you are nobody."

- Howard Cosell was a bold man who had a knack for success. He was a man who was ahead of his time, and driven by the undeniable need to outdo. He pioneered the way a reporter delivers the news and changed the face of Network reporting forever. His unforgettable interviews, his fearless reporting from the front lines and his magnificently witty banter set him aside from the common mortals around him. He was truly in a league of his own.

- Howard Cosell was a household name, a man who everyone watched on TV and a man everyone could recognize. He liked to smoke and was rarely seen not puffing a cigar in the ABC studio. When he was lit up on an elevator one day a woman came in and decided the smoke was not in good taste. She hinted to Howard to put out the cigar to which he adamantly revealed that he was a star, and she was a nobody, and when you are as big a star as him, you do what you want.

- In this anecdote Howard Cosell is expressing his opinion that when you are a huge star you don’t necessarily have to follow the rules or even care what other people think. You play by your own rules.

- We tend to rank people by social class or status in our American society. Howard Cosell being the celebrity he was and having his type of career thus identified himself as above most, including the woman in the elevator with him. For him to extend someone courtesy they must be on his level or above him.

- By contrast, in some primitive cultures everyone is equal from birth until death. They live in harmony together as one entire entity, and pass on as high ranking as the day they came into the world.

- Just like the famous actor who skips to the front of the line at the hottest club while the ordinary people wait outside in line, if you aren’t famous, you are nobody.

- In an interview late in his career famed boxer Muhammad Ali once gave a statement that echoed Howard Cosell’s comment on the elevator, when asked what separated him from other athletes he said, “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was, everyone else is just playing catch up.” According to Ali, he is the greatest; he is superior to everyone else in his sport. No matter who you compare him to, he is Muhammad Ali….and “they” are nobody.

- As my good friend congressmen Paul says, “Every passing day confirms my opinion that I am superior.” This sentiment is on par with Howard Cosell’s statements above, on the basis that it also evokes a sense of being better than those around you. According to Mr. Paul, he believes that he is superior to the inferior morons around him. He is boastful in his claim and confident which echoes Cosell’s attitude in the statements above.

- Howard Cosell believed that power, status, and attitude were important virtues. He loved doing what he did and was very successful at it. More importantly, he seemed to enjoy being around other people who shared his beliefs. If you were not successful or weren’t a celebrity of sorts than you were nobody. Howard Cosell was boastful, outspoken, and confident, and it showed in everything that he did, and he ultimately reaped the rewards of his strong personality. We should all be so brave to show our true selves and not hold anything back.

Socrates once said, “There is only one good, and that is knowledge, and only one evil, and that is ignorance.”

This insightful comment reflects on Socrates the man and reveals him to be open-minded, brilliant, and courageous. It is a testament to the wisdom of the extraordinary Socrates that his words still educate, guide, and inspire humanity well over two thousand years after his death.

Socrates seems to be saying that the root cause of all the immoral and malicious acts performed by man is simply the lack of knowledge. Knowledge is not only the antidote to evil; it is also the seed from which all the beneficial acts and inventions of mankind spring forth.

This observation by Socrates cuts a swath through the entanglement of superstition and fate and leads us to the true cause of evil. By identifying knowledge as the solution to evil and the source of goodness, Socrates has placed in man’s hands the power to improve and shape his future. No longer must man rely on the oracle, the sacrifice, or the whim of the gods to improve his circumstances, for we now know that improvement can be had through the acquisition and spread of knowledge.

By contrast, the man who sees good and evil as emanating from capricious gods condemns himself to a powerless state of superstition and supplication.

Revealing to mankind that knowledge is the source of all that is good is like giving the victim of a shipwreck, adrift on a raft at sea, a sail by which he can maneuver his way to shore.

For example, a man suffering with a raw and swollen throat could do better than sacrifice a chicken at the altar of the Goddess Trivia. Instead, he could go to a doctor, a person steeped in the knowledge of medicine, who could then diagnose his illness as strep throat and prescribe penicillin as a cure.

Socrates was not alone in his respect for knowledge. The eminent philosopher Bertrand Russell once stated, “The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.” And James Madison, one of the founding fathers of the United States, once declared, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

Mankind would do well to heed the wisdom of Socrates. His observation that knowledge is the answer to the problem of evil and the means by which life can be improved unshackles humanity from superstition and makes the improvement of mankind an attainable goal.

Anecdote...

During the 1957 World Series, Yankee catcher Yogi Berra noticed that Aaron grasped the bat the wrong way. "Turn it around," he said, "so you can see the trademark." But Hank kept his eye on the pitcher's mound; "Didn't come up here to read. Came up here to hit."

Hank Aaron refused to turn his bat around even though he was holding it wrong because he was focusing on hitting the ball.
Hank Aaron is very desreving of praise for his steadfast adherence to success. Hank Aaron always worked very hard and was loved by many fans. His tremendous talent and work ethic are unmatched.

Hank Aaron demonstrated that one should always keep their eye on the prize. They should focus on the task at hand rather than be distracted by unimportant things.

This is true because these unimportant things can actually hinder the pursuit of one's goals. These distractions take energy and effort away from the task and undermine one's ability to reach their goals.

By contrast, other batters were more concerned with how their bat has held and they were not as successful as Hank Aaron. Especially since Hank Aaron was the Homerun King.

Gandhi gave a lecture to a select gathering of maharajahs, exhorting them to give up their money and possessions and embrace a life of poverty and simplicity. One by one his distinguished audience slid out until there was nobody left except (as Gandhi afterward said) "God, the chairman, and myself." After another few minutes the chairman himself melted away. "Poor fellow," observed Gandhi, "he must have been very uncomfortable in that strange company."

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Mahatma Gandhi was an incredible man who did much for the people of India. He often showed both wisdom and wit, as in the common story about his unsuccessful exhortation of prominent maharajahs to give up their worldly possessions. This anecdote is told because it does not only display Gandhi's own sacrifices; it shows the hypocrisy of the world in which he worked and his strength and sense of humor even in defeat. Where other holy men or orators weep and wail, lamenting over their lost flocks, Gandhi accepted that he would not be able to convince everyone and saved his jeremiads. This was often the way of Eastern philosophers, as shown in a similar story about Buddha. The story is intended to show the proper way of conducting oneself after a defeat as well as illustrating the lack of Godliness Gandhi saw in business. The evils of money have been under discussion since time immemorial. As Emerson said, "Money often costs too much."