Quotes/aphorisms that have actually helped you in life

[beta1607]

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." John Wooden

[bdk3clash]

Things that have stuck with me:

"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance." (Socrates, quoted in "Lives of Eminent Philosophers" by Diogenes Laertius)

"Take but degree away, untune that string,
And, hark, what discord follows!" (Shakespeare, "Troilus and Cressida")

"Every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world..." (The Clash, "Death or Glory")

"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." (Mel Brooks)

[Mike Gallo]

"People do not plan to fail, they fail to plan."

I do not know where this originated, however as a manager I do not know how many times I have used this gem.

Usually after an employee does not have a contigency plan or have not completely thought a project through.

[Dan.]

"The more often you feel without acting, the less you will be able ever to act, and in the long run, the less you will be able to feel." -- C.S. Lewis

[revots33]

"Life is what happens while you're making other plans"
-John Lennon

helps me appreciate the regular moments, too often people are always looking ahead to the next big life event instead of appreciating the precious little moments in between.

"You can do ANYTHING, you lucky bastard - you're alive!"
-Ghost of Nathaniel Fisher to his son David on Six Feet Under

[Shadowrun]

Love and eggs are best when they are fresh.
---------------- Russian Proverb

Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun.
-------------Indian Proverb

Hunger comes at the time of eating
-------------Russian Proverb

A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died. Hakuin answered 'How am I supposed to know?'
'How do you know? You're a Zen master!' exclaimed the samurai. 'Yes, but not a dead one,' Hakuin answered. - Anon

Everyone lives by selling something.
------- Robert Louis Stevenson

If the thunder is not loud, the peasant forgets to cross himself.
-------- Russian Proverb

[SnglMaltScotch]

You can either sleep well or eat well

The golden rule.. The one who owns all the gold makes all the rules.

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it" - Yogi Berra

When god closes one door, he always opens another. My mom

SMS

[pokah5]

"Grades are important, but don't let the books get in the way of your real education." - high school calc teacher before i left for college.

[Coda]

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. --Kierkegaard

I read this quote every morning before I start my day to remind myself two things: Never pass up an opprotunity to keep my mouth shut and to always use my intellect.

[kyleb]

Whoever said money can't buy happiness isn't spending it right.