The Quotive Corner

Here's a funny quote that made me chuckle but also inspired me to look deeper into it: "Everybody wants to change the world. But nobody wants to change the toilet paper roll.” It turns out that this quote is just a trendy saying, but I believe that it was based on Leo Tolstoy's quote here: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Join me i...

"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.” This line, from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams' play “Camino Real,” makes us re-examine ourselves and the decisions we've been putting off because we've been too comfortable with our situation, or too fearful of the unknown. I discuss more implications and interpretations in thi...

"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.” This is a quote from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," arguably one of the most famous and influential treatises in human civilization. It is so chock full of wisdom, but in this episode, we focus on just one nugget. The genius of "The Art of...

"The most dangerous phrase in the language is, 'We've always done it that way.'" This quote, from a fascinating woman, wakes us up from doing things the same way because it's easy and comfortable. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was also a mathematician and one of the most influential figures in the history of computing. In this episode, we discuss her life and her belief t...

"How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved.” Psychologist and theorist Sigmund Freud wrote this not as an established professional. He wrote this when he was young and in love. In this episode, we discuss this quote from Freud's earlier days. The quote was as insightful in his youth as much as when he was more established as an expert in the mind in his later years, which I feel...

The famous American psychologist William James wrote: "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” I discuss this quote at length in this episode, where James warns us that if we can't properly filter the noise in our lives, we will get overwhelmed. At the same time, we must be careful not to read his quote the wrong way. Find out in this episode how to avoid this misi...

"There is no need to tell someone how to do a job if you've properly trained your team." This quote from Major Dick Winters, one of the best small unit leaders in World War 2 of Easy Company, made even more famous by the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," is not only about training, but really about trust. Join me in this episode where we looking further into this quote, b...

American life coach and author Alan Cohen opines: "It is not insult from another that causes you pain. It is the part of your mind that agrees with the insult. Agree only with the truth about you, and you are free.” Join us in this episode as I discuss this quote, its meaning, and do a little introspection to understand why some insults bother us more than others.  Support the show At The Quo...

In today's episode, we learn from the well-traveled chef Anthony Bourdain, who believed in and lived the philosophy:  "Travel is not reward for working, it's education for living." He believed that the value of traveling was to become educated, not just in rejuvenation, relaxation, or getting away from your everyday life. Join me to discover the true value of travel, according...

One of Nobel Laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's philosophies was paraphrased as such: "Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.” Join us in this episode as we discuss this politically charged quote. It's almost mathematically simple as a sentence, but has a lot of depth and room for discussion, in...

Best-selling author James Clear wrote: "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” This quote was inspired by Greek poet Archilochus, who wrote something similar. In this episode, we dive deeper into this deceptively simple quote and see how it can inspire us to succeed in rising to our goals or at a minimum, fall to a level that's still a success...

In this episode, we discuss an astute observation by American philosopher Eric Hoffer.  "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." Hoffer is an interesting person, a blue-collar worker with no formal education, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his literary works and observations. So when he makes an observation, it's likely a good one.  Support the...

Today, let's discuss this quote: “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” Often attributed to famous poet Robert Frost, it's not just about education or even listening, but more to do with composure.  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflection. New episodes ever...

American writer Rita Mae Brown wisely wrote: “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” In this episode, we discuss Brown's sage quote that seems at first to mix humor with circular reasoning. But the more we dive into this quote, the more we realize how deep this quote can be. Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote....

In today's episode, we ponder another gem of a quote from Mark Twain: “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who CANNOT read.” Before we take this quote too literally, we have to realize that it's not just about reading. It's about learning. More specifically, the intention to learn.  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote....

Professor Robert J. Hanlon stated in a witty way:  “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” Now known as Hanlon's Razor, it's a blunt and humorous way of giving others the benefit of the doubt about their intentions. When someone does something that you perceive as harmful or negative, is it really their intention to do so because they did it with mali...

In today's episode, we're going to discuss a quote from Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's book, The Alchemist : “A mistake repeated more than once is a choice.” Are we repeating our mistakes because changing would be less comfortable? Are we avoiding the more difficult path? Let's find out what Coelho means. Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in th...

Sixteenth century French philosopher Michel de Montaigne wrote: “A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.” Join us in this episode as we discuss how we can be our own worst enemies when fear of an imagined suffering or difficulty can keep us from great achievements.  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflection. N...

Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși has the secret to success in any endeavor: “Create like a god; command like a king; work like a slave.” There is a lot to unpack in this powerful quote and we discuss it in full in this episode.  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflection. New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! If you'd...

“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Today, we discuss this quote from the famous Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, lifted from his 1892 play Lady Windermere's Fan. Although people initially think it's about understanding the whole being of a person, it boils down to time. None of us are locked into a persona or our past. Nor are we guaranteed a fate or future based on wh...

Voltaire may have written the profound quote:  “Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said.” In today's episode, we acknowledge that truth is important. But what's just as important? Using your discretion to determine if that truth really needs to be said. Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflectio...

Russian playwright Anton Chekhov once said:  “Love, friendship, and respect do not unite people as much as a common hatred for something.” In this episode, we discuss how it's easy to unite people when there's a common enemy, but uniting through love, friendship, or something more substantial will create a longer and more enduring unity. Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember t...

Eighteenth century Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith wrote: “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.” This line from one of his books, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments," may seem harsh at first glance. But is it really? Join me for a discussion of mercy, justice, morality, and their effects on society in today's episode.  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, re...

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan and not quite enough time.” This quote comes from the famous music composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Not quite enough time? How does that help achievement? Find out in this episode. Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflection. New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!...

Explore the metaphorical river of change with the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.”  Support the show At The Quotive Corner, remember that wisdom isn’t in the quote. It’s in the reflection. New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! If you'd like to hear more content...