Michael Josephson Commentary

Michael Josephson Commentary

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet, philosopher (1803-1882)
We may scatter the seeds of courtesy and kindness around us at so little expense. Some will inevitably fall on good ground and grow up into benevolence in the minds of others. All will bear fruit of happiness in the bosom whence they spring.
– Jeremy Bentham, British philosopher, social reformer (1748-1832)
As “unkindness has no remedy at law,” let its avoidance be with you a point of honor.
– Hosea Ballou, writer, clergyman (1771-1852)
Kindness which is not inexhaustible does not deserve the name.
– Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Austrian writer (1830-1916)
He who confers a favor should at once forget it. To remind a man of a kindness conferred on him, and to talk of it, is little different from reproach.
– Demosthenes, Greek statesman, orator (384-322 BC)
Trust and kindness will keep cons and cheats in business, but we can live with that. What we can’t accept is a society where suspicions and fears prevent us from being caring and compassionate.
– Michael Josephson

Michael Josephson Commentary

Michael Josephson Commentary

Try praising your wife, even if it does frighten her at first.
– William Ashley Sunday, baseball player and evangelist (1862-1935)
More hearts pine away in secret anguish for the want of kindness from those who should be their comforters than for any other calamity in life.
– Edward Young, British poet (1681-1765)
When you are in trouble, people who call to sympathize are really looking for the particulars.
– Edgar Watson Howe, novelist, editor (1853-1937)
Avarice in old age is foolish, for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach our journey’s end?
– Cicero, Roman statesman, philosopher (106-43 BC)
The day we stop helping one another to guarantee not being taken advantage of is the day evil wins.
– Michael Josephson

Op-Ed Contributor - Buy American. I Am. - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Contributor - Buy American. I Am. - NYTimes.com: "A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."

This is great advice from Warren Buffett

Michael Josephson Commentary

Michael Josephson Commentary: "By this definition, John Wooden, my favorite coach and teacher, is every inch a great American philosopher. Here are just a few of his powerful insights:

On Perfection: 'Perfection is an impossibility, but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is what counts.'

On Management: 'You'll get better cooperation and results if you're sincerely interested in people's families and interests, not in simply how they do their job.'

On Learning: 'Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.'

On Success: 'You must be interested in finding the best way, not in having your own way.'

On Trust: 'You will be hurt occasionally if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough.'

On Joy: 'Mix idealism with realism and add hard work. This will often bring much more than you could ever hope for.'

On Winning: 'If you prepare properly, you may be outscored but you will never lose. You always win when you make the full effort to do the best of which you're capable.'"

Michael Josephson Commentary

Michael Josephson Commentary

THIS WEEK’S QUOTATIONS
When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson.
– Will Rogers, humorist, social commentator (1879-1935)
The role in carving holds good as to criticism: never cut with a knife what you can cut with a spoon.
– Charles Buxton, British philanthropist (1823-1871)
Many a man’s reputation would not know his character if they met on the street.
– Elbert Hubbard, writer, philosopher (1856-1915)
After I’m dead I’d rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.
– Marcus Porcius Cato, Roman statesman (234-149 BC)
Whenever we divorce competence from character, we create amoral professionals who think they’re exempt from common standards of honor.
– Michael Josephson

iGoogle

iGoogle: "The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.
- John Kenneth Galbraith"

iGoogle

iGoogle: "By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man's, I mean.
- Mark Twain"

iGoogle

iGoogle: "Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people.
- James Russell Lowell"