STRONG TEMPTATION

"We gain the strength of the temptation we resist."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist/lecturer/poet.

(You think this pup would agree?)

Temptation comes in many forms and is generally attributable to things not good for us.

(Did you ever hear of anyone resisting the temptation to eat broccoli?)

I'm not certain I've ever gained strength from resisting something I knew I really shouldn't have, but I do know I've later felt better when I did, with the reverse true when I didn't.

UGLINESS TOO

"The beauty seen is partly in him who sees it."

Christian Nevell Bovee (1820-1904) American author/lawyer.

The next time you find yourself judging someone for what they are or are not, something you don't like, look to see how much of that is also you.

You may be a little surprised, disappointed in yourself, and hopefully more tolerant of the other person.

ADVERSITY'S SILVER LINING

"We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it -- and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again -- and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore."

Mark Twain (1835-1910) U.S. humorist/writer/lecturer.

Very few consider what good might come from an otherwise bad experience.

It's not always obvious but it is most always there.

Look for it.

NOT WHO, WHAT

"Examine what is said, not him who speaks."

Arabian proverb

If only this were done in every single aspect of our lives.

BETTER TO BE COLOR BLIND

"Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance."

Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) French poet.

How many times must we be reminded of this, particularly when the outward appearance used to judge is not one of choice.

Such as skin color.

Black, white, brown, yellow, red and all in between; none of it tells you anything about the person who wears that skin.

THAT IS SICK

"Never find fault with the absent."

Unknown

And yet we do don't we?

We go to work sick, concerned that others will think we are faking.

We wonder whether those who stay home sick really are.

NOT ALL OR NONE OF YOU WILL COMPLETELY OR NOT ALL AGREE WITH THIS, ALWAYS OR NEVER

"Some theories are good for nothing except to be argued about."

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German scientist/satirist/anglophile

"Even for practical purposes theory generally turns out the most important thing in the end."

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) American author/poet

If you've followed BW for any time at all you might have noticed seemingly contradictory quotes, possibly including these two.

However look carefully and you often see the "back doors" authors leave themselves so as not to appear too all inclusive.

For example, Lichtenberg qualified what would appear to be a condemnation of theory by saying only "some" are good for nothing. And Holmes softened his adding "generally." 

Little in life is "always" or "never", and for those things that are, not "everyone" or "no one" will feel that way, regardless.

You are right to question absolutes.

THE YIN AND YANG OF RIGHT AND WRONG

"Nowadays those are rewarded who make right appear wrong."

Terence (195/185 BC-159 BC) Playwright of the Roman Republic

Is today any different?

Maybe only in that those who make wrong appear right are rewarded even more.

JUDGE NOT LEAST YOU BE JUDGED

"A man is not good or bad for one action."

Thomas Fuller

17th century British clergyman/author

Nor, two, three, or even considerably more.

Judge if you must but only after patiently, methodically reaching whatever conclusions would be reached by any normally non judgmental person.

SUPERFICIAL JUDGEMENT

"A man is not good or bad for one action."

Thomas Fuller

17th century British clergyman/author

Nor a woman.

However all too often we are judged by too many about too little of all we say and do.

If you don't judge on most or all it, try not to judge at all.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND . . .

"Thou hast seen nothing yet."

Miguel de Cervantes

16th century Spanish novelist/dramatist/poet

You could assume at least two very different interpretations of this:

1. A statement of self-affirmation by a confirmed optimist.
2. An opinion expressed by the speaker about the limited life experiences of the listener.

How quickly you decided which says a lot about your propensity to consider alternatives.

I'M OK, BUT YOU . . . ?

"It is human nature to think wisely and act foolishly."

Anatole France

Late 19th/early 20th century French writer

As well to think that what others think is foolish.

If only we questioned ourselves as much as we do others.

Make mistakes to learn not to make mistakes.

"One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat."

Woodrow T. Wilson

28th US President 

Makes sense.

But how do you balance the time necessary to develop "cool judgment" versus "hasty counsel"?

Do you always know which you have?

Maybe Will Rogers had the answer.

Any Opinion On This?

"Taste has no system and no proofs."

Susan Sontag

20th century American author

Keep this in mind the next time you attempt to "prove" your point about something that is a matter of taste.

Particularly in business.

Sitting In Judgement

"Do not judge and you will never be mistaken."

Jean Jacques Rousseau

18th century Swiss political philosopher

Fine for life in general, at least in theory, but not in business.

A manager's job is to judge, to make decisions, most often without sufficient information.

You have to decide what to do as well as what not to do.

Just do so as thoughtfully and fairly as possible.

Who's In Charge Of Me?

"Observe all men, thyself most."

Benjamin Franklin

18th century American statesman/philosopher

But we do just about the opposite don't we?

And not just observe but comment on, criticize, and reject the thoughts and actions of others.

Better to take care of the one person whose behavior we have some small chance of affecting.

Books and Covers

"Examine what is said, not he who speaks."

Arabian proverb

Unfortunately it is more often the latter rather than the former, usually for all the wrong reasons.

What people think and say should be the basis for deciding who they are.

How they look is only the cover of their book.

I Could Have Told You That!

"Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon or star."

Confucius

5th century BC Chinese philosopher

A situation made even worse when the ignorant believe they see "moon or stars" when no one else does, and act accordingly.

But how do any of us know for sure that the "light" we think we see is truth?

We celebrate business leaders who take the alternative path and succeed, Steve Jobs being but one obvious example.

And we ridicule those who do exactly the same thing and fail, as if we knew all along that they were wrong.

Somewhere in this is the middle ground of speculative judgement we all should seek to find.

On a completely separate subject, to all those who served our country in the past, or who do so today, thank you!  Have a great Veteran's Day!

I'm A Collge Graduate, I Know Stuff!

"College is a refuge from hasty judgement."

Robert Frost

20th century American poet

Is or should be?

If is, shouldn't the college graduate carry their apparent learned ability to not make hasty judgements with them into the working world?

In all too many cases I think it is the opposite, but then I may have been hasty making that judgement.

What do you think?

Perspective: The Clear Picture

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home."

Ken Olsen
President Digital Equipment Company (said in 1977)

I don't know Mr. Olsen but assume he is an intelligent individual (he had to have been to reach the position he did.) And like everyone he would be subject to miscalculation and no doubt regretted this statement soon after making it.

Perspective, or lack thereof, is what makes or breaks most companies. How do you know yours is what it should be?