A philosophical observation from Helen Keller

[GunnyGene]

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

Just something to ponder.

[daytime dave]

I like it!

[CT_Shooter]

Keller lived an exceptional life and her experience has been an inspiration to millions of other people. I became interested in her spirituality and, several decades ago, read Heaven and Hell by Emanual Swedenborg. She credits that book with clarifying her perception of God. I agree, it's a profound volume; a detailed description of the Creation and God's relationship to it. While provocative and well written, I continue to be a religious skeptic, though that book is intriguing.

The words “Love” and “Wisdom” seemed to caress my fingers from paragraph to paragraph and these two words released in me new forces to stimulate my somewhat indolent nature and urge me forward evermore. . . . I was not “religious” in the sense of practicing ritual, but happy, because I saw God altogether lovely, after the shadows cast upon his image by the harsh creeds or warring sects and religions. The Word of God, freed from the blots and stains of barbarous creeds, has been at once the joy and good of my life. (https://swedenborg.com/scholars-helen-k ... ual-sight/)

[GunnyGene]

Keller lived an exceptional life and her experience has been an inspiration to millions of other people. I became interested in her spirituality and, several decades ago, read Heaven and Hell by Emanual Swedenborg. She credits that book with clarifying her perception of God. I agree, it's a profound volume; a detailed description of the Creation and God's relationship to it. While provocative and well written, I continue to be a religious skeptic, though that book is intriguing.

The words “Love” and “Wisdom” seemed to caress my fingers from paragraph to paragraph and these two words released in me new forces to stimulate my somewhat indolent nature and urge me forward evermore. . . . I was not “religious” in the sense of practicing ritual, but happy, because I saw God altogether lovely, after the shadows cast upon his image by the harsh creeds or warring sects and religions. The Word of God, freed from the blots and stains of barbarous creeds, has been at once the joy and good of my life. (https://swedenborg.com/scholars-helen-k ... ual-sight/)

This quote I posted is from The Open Door. Many other quotes of hers here:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes ... len_Keller

[GunnyGene]

I like it!

Since I'm feeling a bit philosophical today, you might like this also:

Which are You?

THERE are two kinds of people on earth to-day;
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.

Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood,
The good are half bad, and the bad are half good.

Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.

Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span,
Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.

No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift, and the people who lean.

Wherever you go, you will find the earth's masses,
Are always divided in just these two classes.

And oddly enough, you will find too, I ween,
There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you? Are you easing the load,
Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road?

Or are you a leaner, who lets others share
Your portion of labor, and worry and care?

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

[RanchRoper]

This is the quote I try to live my life by.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

Jack London

[GFK]

I like it!

Since I'm feeling a bit philosophical today, you might like this also:

Which are You?

THERE are two kinds of people on earth to-day;
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.

Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood,
The good are half bad, and the bad are half good.

Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.

Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span,
Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.

No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift, and the people who lean.

Wherever you go, you will find the earth's masses,
Are always divided in just these two classes.

And oddly enough, you will find too, I ween,
There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you? Are you easing the load,
Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road?

Or are you a leaner, who lets others share
Your portion of labor, and worry and care?

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

My father put it another way: leaders and followers.

[daytime dave]

I did like that one too.


I've always said that nice guys DO finish last, but there is VERY GOOD company at the end of the line.

[Sir Henry]

Life is what you make it. I was raised in poverty along with my brothers and sisters. I made it out but they didn’t citing their childhood hardship. They can tell that to other people but not me because I had the same childhood. The difference is they continually make poor decisions.

On a side note I checked her first book out of the library. It was written in 1903 when she was 23 years old.

IMG_2796.jpeg (2.7 MiB) Viewed 830 times

[cooperhawk]

I'm with you Gene. Our farm didn't have electricity and my Mother finally had enough and got a job
in the Post Office and we moved to town. My parents worked hard all their lives and ended up fairly
comfortable.
I lost everything and started over twice and still made it to a nice comfortable life on my own.
I've watched folks I went to school with that had a farm given to them, and they lost it all.
No excuses. You are what you make of yourself.

[Hatchdog]

This is the quote I try to live my life by.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

Jack London

Jack London: a genius of his time!