Speaking of the need of a fundamental shift in values, I read an interesting article in the NY Times yesterday afternoon entitled: “The Modesty Manifesto.” The author, David Brooks, observed that we are an overconfident species, especially the part of humanity now living in the United States. Brooks (somewhat tongue in cheek I expect) noted …
Tag: greg hake
The Civility Deficit
"There can be no high civility without a deep morality." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Civility is a virtue that marks the Golden Mean between barbarousness and glibness or superficial politeness. In early use, the term denoted the state of being a citizen and hence good citizenship. It later (apparently in the mid-16th century) took on …
Authority and Critical Analysis
"The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis." ~ Dalai Lama We considered in a previous post that you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. Humanity, in this sense, is a collection of agents who navigate their lives within a framework of culture, custom …
Virtue
Benjamin Franklin lived an uncommon life. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a noted polymath, Franklin's inquisitiveness and inventiveness influenced American life and thought profoundly. Everywhere you turn you see evidence of Franklin's legacy: bifocals, the public library system, police departments, volunteer fire departments, the lightning rod, an incredible literary treasure …
The Crucible of Transition
"Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson I had a wonderful chat with a friend and associate of mine yesterday. We were discussing his evolving set of professional goals, yet the focus of our conversation narrowed to the matter of handling the transitions he was facing with …
The Light of Inspiration
"Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate." ~ Thomas Aquinas Radiance, translated through the human capacities of body, mind and heart, is purposeful. It connects the source of your inspiration to those whom you inspire. You may be surprised by who discover illumination through your …
The Quicksand of Reason
"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us." ~ Jane Austen You can tell a lot about a person by participating in a sporting …
Excitabat fluctus in simpulo
There are two ways to make a lot of a little: one is a joy to behold, the other is everyone's nightmare. Allow me to explain. My sons and I saw STOMP at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta yesterday afternoon. What a show! I've never seen so much done with so little. Trash cans, barrels, …
Fair Youth
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end; Each changing place with that which goes before, In sequent toil all forwards do contend. Nativity, once in the main of light, Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd, Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight, And Time that gave …
Constant Movement
Full sail, I voyage Over the boundless ocean, and I tell you Nothing is permanent in all the world. All things are fluent; every image forms, Wandering through change. Time is itself a river In constant movement, and the hours flow by Like water, wave on wave, pursued and pursuing, Forever fugitive, forever new. ~ …
Gregory Hake 