April 30
2004
- Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. ~ Robert J. Hanlon
- selected by Kalki
2005
- It is not knowledge, but the act of learning, not possession but the act of getting there, which grants the greatest enjoyment. When I have clarified and exhausted a subject, then I turn away from it, in order to go into darkness again. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss (born 30 April 1777)
- selected by Kalki
2006
- You know that I write slowly. This is chiefly because I am never satisfied until I have said as much as possible in a few words, and writing briefly takes far more time than writing at length. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss (born 30 April 1777)
- selected by Kalki
2007
- In a political struggle, never get personal — else the dagger digs too deep. ~ Jack Valenti (recent death)
- selected by Kalki
2008
- The Gods do not protect fools. Fools are protected by more capable fools. ~ Larry Niven
- proposed by Kalki
2009
- Zen is not a particular state but the normal state: silent, peaceful, unagitated. In Zazen neither intention, analysis, specific effort nor imagination take place. It's enough just to be without hypocrisy, dogmatism, arrogance — embracing all opposites. ~ Taisen Deshimaru
- proposed by Kalki
2010
Suggestions
If freedom is short of weapons, we must compensate with willpower. ~ Adolf Hitler (died April 30)- 3 because one's willpower serves as a strong device for motivation, even when short of artillery. It is a magnificent source of attaining courage even in the darkest hour of the battle. Zarbon 06:14, 18 April 2008 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) I hold that to even consider Hitler a spokesman for freedom in any admirable way is disgusting and contemptible. The type of "freedom" Hitler stood for was the freedom to oppress, the freedom to lie, the freedom to murder, and no matter how bold and brazen a liar and oppressor might be, or how strong they may become because of the will of other fools and cowards and the lack of will among many other fools and cowards, they are ultimately in many extreme ways craven fools and cowards themselves, who are afraid to speak, to hear, or to allow others to hear or to speak many important truths.
- 1 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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I have not come into this world to make men better, but to make use of their weaknesses. ~ Adolf Hitler (died April 30)
- 3 Zarbon 06:14, 18 April 2008 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) This quote seems to be a concise summary of many of Hitler's policies and attitudes, but I have no great desire to use it any time soon.
- 1 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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The god of war has gone over to the other side. ~ Adolf Hitler (died April 30)
- 4 because it brings the Greek god Ares into play and it is only fitting that his reference be made when war's end is at hand. Zarbon 06:14, 18 April 2008 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki 23:45, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
2 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC)might eventually rank this a 3 or even a 4, but not presently — no "god of war", or favor in battle has clearly gone to any "other" side, and though the recognition of the avoidable and ultimately detrimental effects of most military aggression is in many ways growing among many people, any final rejection of large scale military aggression between nations and major population groups seems to remain but a distant prospect. - 2 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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Life never forgives weaknesses. ~ Adolf Hitler (died April 30)
- 3 because life is brutal and difficult. Zarbon 06:14, 18 April 2008 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) An apparent advocation of viciousness, but to a great extent I feel this applies to the vicious themselves, who despite the powers which they may come to wield amidst confused times are truly a weak-minded fools, who misuse, wastefully use and ultimately loose much of whatever power and potential they have.
Life can indeed be very brutal and difficult, especially if it is made that way by fools who believe whatever paltry strength and will they might attain provides them some sort of right as well as the means to misuse it to needlessly and unjustly oppress others less powerful. It can also be very beautiful and splendid where most people are not so deluded as to follow paths of needless contention, destruction, and ultimate stupidity. - 2 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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I have had my results for a long time: but I do not yet know how I am to arrive at them. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss (born April 30)
- 2 because careful planning and preparedness is key to reaching one's goals. Zarbon 14:40, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) because it speaks of the value of intuition as well as the importance of logic and effort.
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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The enchanting charms of this sublime science reveal themselves in all their beauty only to those who have the courage to go deeply into it. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss (born April 30)
- 2 because those who are truly determined will unlock the beauty of science. Zarbon 14:40, 28 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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I mean the word proof not in the sense of the lawyers, who set two half proofs equal to a whole one, but in the sense of a mathematician, where half proof = 0, and it is demanded for proof that every doubt becomes impossible. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
- 1 Zarbon 16:16, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 4 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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I write slowly. This is chiefly because I am never satisfied until I have said as much as possible in a few words, and writing briefly takes far more time than writing at length. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4.
- 1 Zarbon 16:16, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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There are problems to whose solution I would attach an infinitely greater importance than to those of mathematics, for example touching ethics, or our relation to God, or concerning our destiny and our future; but their solution lies wholly beyond us and completely outside the province of science. ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 1 Zarbon 16:16, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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Anything you don't understand is dangerous until you do understand it. ~ Larry Niven
- 3 Kalki 08:29, 29 April 2008 (UTC) with a lean toward 4.
- 2 Zarbon 16:16, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 22:01, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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To receive everything, one must open one's hands and give. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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Think with your whole body. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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Harmonizing opposites by going back to their source is the distinctive quality of the Zen attitude, the Middle Way: embracing contradictions, making a synthesis of them, achieving balance. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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You have to practice until you die. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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Keep your hands open, and all the sands of the desert can pass through them. Close them, and all you can feel is a bit of grit. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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If you are not happy here and now, you never will be. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 06:28, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC) with a strong lean toward 4.
- 2 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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If you have a glass full of liquid you can discourse forever on its qualities, discuss whether it is cold, warm, whether it is really and truly composed of H-2-O, or even mineral water, or saki. Meditation is Drinking it. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 11:43, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC) with a grokking lean toward 4.
- 2 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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We feel our shell keeps us safe, but it crushes us and others, and keeps out light and sun. ~ Taisen Deshimaru (date of death)
- 2 Zarbon 11:43, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
- 3 Kalki 18:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)
- 3 InvisibleSun 23:08, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
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