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Philosopher Quotations Quotes

Browse 233 quotes about Philosopher Quotations.

Philosopher Quotations Quotes

“When Africa suffers the Middle East suffers, when the Middle East suffers Asia suffers, when Asia suffers Europe suffers, when Europe suffers America suffers, and when America suffers the world suffers. What you learn from black people you won’t learn from white people. What you learn from white people you won’t learn from black people. What you learn from one people you won’t learn from another people. What you learn from an enlightened people teach to all people.”

“What was meant to float will never drown. What was meant to soar will never plunge. What was meant to ascend will never tumble. What was meant to hasten will never delay. What was meant to grow will never shrink. What was meant to bloom will never wither. What was meant to flourish will never falter. What was meant to thrive will never wane. What was meant to start will never end. Who was meant to go will never come. Who was meant to leave will never stay. Who was meant to run will never crawl. Who was meant to stand will never sit. Who was meant to continue will never quit. Who was meant to thrive will never perish. Who was meant to gain will never lose. Who was meant to conquer will never bow. Who was meant to rise will never fall.”

“You cannot be a mother until you are a daughter, an infant until you are a toddler, a youth until you are a youngster, a grownup until you are a teenager, an elder until you are a minor, an ancestor until you are a progenitor, a father until you are a creator, and an heir until you are a successor. Nor can you be a master until you are a scholar, a guru until you are a learner, a leader until you are a follower, a warrior until you are a fighter, a general until you are a soldier, a pope until you are a worshiper, a doctor until you are a healer, and an apostle until you are a believer.”

“Unity is good, but conformity is not. Servitude is good, but slavery is not. Submission is good, but bondage is not. Individualism is good, but insubordination is not. Devotion is good, but radicalism is not. Loyalty is good, but sycophancy is not. Risk is good, but irresponsibility is not. Courage is good, but unruliness is not. Calm is good, but cowardice is not. Caution is good, but panic is not. Coolness is good, but apathy is not. Composure is good, but shyness is not. Excitement is good, but agitation is not. Force is good, but cruelty is not. Might is good, but bullying is not. Mercy is good, but weakness is not. Sympathy is good, but frailty is not. Order is good, but oppression is not. Power is good, but despotism is not. Serenity is good, but timidity is not. Government is good, but bureaucracy is not. Politics is good, but politicians are not. Leadership is good, but autocracy is not. Justice is good, but revenge is not. Chastisement is good, but wrath is not. Integrity is good, but self-righteousness is not. Mankind is good, but sinners are not. The world is good, but people are not.”

“Confidence makes you strong, not proud. Composure makes you tough, not timid. Courage makes you bold, not arrogant. Prudence makes you practical, not intolerant. Respect makes you honorable, not weak. Humility makes you modest, not spineless. Silence makes you prudent, not feeble. Meekness makes you gentle, not helpless. Kindness makes you caring, not vulnerable. Charity makes you compassionate, not spineless. Mercy makes you sympathetic, not fragile. Patience makes you cautious, not powerless. Piety makes you noble, not bigoted. Loyalty makes you trustworthy, not foolish. Justice makes you fair, not vengeful. Integrity makes you strong, not stern. Chastity makes you disciplined, not narrow. Wealth makes you prominent, not selfish. Power makes you influential, not self centered. Honor makes you important, not narcissistic. Fame makes you privileged, not spoiled. Servitude makes you respectable, not sycophantic. Self-control makes you dignified, not self-righteous. Discipline makes you focused, not obsessed. Imagination makes you special, not odd. Pleasure makes you happy, not corruptible. Goodness makes you saintly, not narrow. Faith makes you spiritual, not obstinate. Love makes you mystical, not religious. God makes you transcendent, not ordinary.”

“When God gives you understanding, life hands you mysteries. When He gives you insight, life hands you enigmas. When He gives you wisdom, life hands you problems. When He gives you strength, life hands you tasks. When He gives you courage, life hands you tests. When He gives you faith, life hands you trials. When He gives you passion, life hands you chores. When He gives you talent, life hands you assignments. When He gives you genius, life hands you obligations. When He gives you joy, life hands you burdens. When He gives you patience, life hands you troubles. When He gives you love, life hands you heartaches. When He gives you wealth, life hands you stress. When He gives you possessions, life hands you duties. When He gives you power, life hands you responsibilities. When He gives you friends, life hands you demands. When He gives you children, life hands you commitments. When He gives you relationships, life hands you inconveniences.”

“There is no room for ignorance among the knowledgeable, no room for nonsense among the practical, no room for fear among the formidable, no room for haste among the gentle, no room for dishonesty among the noble, no room for indecency among the honorable, no room for insolence among the respectful, and no room for secrecy among the truthful. And there is also no room for hubris among the humble, no room for indecision among the stable, no room for weakness among the powerful, no room for distrust among the reliable, no room for intolerance among the hospitable, no room for stinginess among the charitable, no room for wrath among the amiable, and no room for strife among the affable.”

“There is nothing special about having a wife, but there is in how you govern a marriage. There is nothing special about having a house, but there is in how you govern a home. There is nothing special about having a family, but there is in how you govern a household. There is nothing special about having a job, but there is in how you govern your career. There is nothing special about having degrees, but there is in how you govern your life. There is nothing special about having titles, but there is in how you govern your duties. There is nothing special about having friends, but there is in how you govern your relationships. There is nothing special about having medals, but there is in how you govern your talents. There is nothing special about having money, but there is in how you govern your wealth. There is nothing special about having power, but there is in how you govern your responsibilities. There is nothing special about having influence, but there is in how you govern your authority. There is nothing special about having property, but there is in how you govern your possessions.”

“I embrace you despite your race. I accept you despite your religion. I admire you despite your education. I welcome you despite your gender. I love you despite your status. I need you despite your politics. You are my brothers, you are my sisters, you are my mothers, and you are my fathers. I am as you are, you are as I am; we are as we are. Let us become as we were meant to become.”

“When God gives you understanding, life hands you mysteries. When He gives you insight, life hands you enigmas. When He gives you wisdom, life hands you problems. When He gives you strength, life hands you tasks. When He gives you courage, life hands you tests. When He gives you faith, life hands you trials. When He gives you passion, life hands you chores. When He gives you talent, life hands you assignments. When He gives you genius, life hands you obligations. When He gives you joy, life hands you burdens. When He gives you patience, life hands you troubles. When He gives you love, life hands you a heartaches. When He gives you wealth, life hands you stress. When He gives you possessions, life hands you duties. When He gives you power, life hands you responsibilities. When He gives you friends, life hands you demands. When He gives you children, life hands you commitments. When He gives you relationships, life hands you inconveniences.”

“I love you despite your religion. I embrace you despite your race. I admire you despite your education. I welcome you despite your gender. I love you despite your faith. I need you despite your politics. I am as you are. You are as I am. We are as we are. Let us become as we were meant to become.”

“If you hate the poor, do not ask The Divine One for wealth. If you hate the despised, do not ask The Divine One for honor. If you hate the oppressed, do not ask The Divine One for freedom. If you hate the lowly, do not ask The Divine One for influence. If you hate the fatherless, do not ask The Divine One for children. If you hate the lonely, do not ask The Divine One for friends. If you hate the orphaned, do not ask The Divine One for parents. If you hate the divorced, do not ask The Divine One for a family. If you hate the weak, do not ask The Divine One for strength. If you hate the helpless, do not ask The Divine One for might. If you hate the timid, do not ask The Divine One for courage. If you hate the helpless, do not ask The Divine One for power. If you hate the avarage, do not ask The Divine One for excellence. If you hate the common, do not ask The Divine One for nobility. If you hate the meek, do not ask The Divine One for authority. If you hate the gentle, do not ask The Divine One for fortitude. If you hate the confused, do not ask The Divine One for understanding. If you hate the perplexed, do not ask The Divine One for insight. If you hate the ignorant, do not ask The Divine One for knowledge. If you hate the senseless, do not ask The Divine One for wisdom. If you hate the anxious, do not ask The Divine One for joy. If you hate the hopeless, do not ask The Divine One for faith. If you hate the downtrodden, do not ask The Divine One for peace. If you hate the forsaken, do not ask The Divine One for love.”

“The world would give me no children, so The Divine One gave me truth; no friends, so The Divine One gave me discernment; no family, so The Divine One gave me light; no titles, so The Divine One gave me honor; no fame, so The Divine One gave me respect; no positon, so The Divine One gave me power; no work, so The Divine One gave me skills; no job, so The Divine One gave me talents; no career, so The Divine One gave me brilliance; no riches, so The Divine One gave me knowledge; no treasure, so The Divine One gave me wisdom; no wealth, so The Divine One gave me understanding; no peace, so The Divine One gave me joy; no faith, so The Divine One gave me hope; no love, so The Divine One gave me Himself; no scholarship, so The Divine One gave me a mind; no sainthood, so The Divine One gave me a heart; and no sagehood, so The Divine One gave me a soul.”

“Negative thoughts prevent mindfulness. Negative desires hinder happiness. Negative habits counter excellence. Negative people disturb peacefulness. Positive thoughts foster brilliance. Positive desires promote joyfulness. Positive habits encourage blessedness. Positive people inspire transcendence.”

“Rest is good, but laziness is not. Labour is good, but slavery is not. Wine is good, but drunkenness is not. Food is good, but gluttony is not. Money is good, but greed is not. Wealth is good, but selfishness is not. Beauty is good, but vanity is not. Sex is good, but lust is not. Pleasure is good, but sin is not. Amusement is good, but decadence is not. Fame is good, but self importance is not. Confidence is good, but ego is not. Eloquence is good, but flattery is not. Charisma is good, but deception is not. Ambition is good, but self interest is not. Influence is good, but manipulation is not. Authority is good, but tyranny is not. Servitude is good, but bondage is not. Admiration is good, but idolatry is not. Law is good, but injustice is not. Race pride is good, but bigotry is not. Liberty is good, but recklessness is not. Freedom is good, but unruliness is not. Belief is good, but fanaticism is not. Religion is good, but extremism is not. Righteousness is good, but zealotry is not. All is good, but in excess is not.”

“I have a small mind, but big goals. I have a small heart, but big ambitions. I have a small soul, but big dreams. I have small eyes, but a big vision. I have small ears, but big understanding. I have small hands, but big reach. I have a small tongue, but a big opinion. I have a small nose, but a big sense. I have a small mouth, but a big lecture. I have a small message, but a big audience. I have a small title, but a big education. I have a small purse, but a big gift. I have a small lesson, but a big classroom. I have a small resume, but a big accomplishment. I have a small company, but a big project. I have a small budget, but a big profit. I have a small team, but a big success. I have a small reputation, but a big destiny.”

“Compassion is a seed, empathy is the root, kindness is the stem, charity is the tree, and love is the fruit. Intelligence is a seed, understanding is the root, intuition is the stem, knowledge is the tree, and wisdom is the fruit. Skill is a seed, talent is the root, excellence is the stem, brilliance is the tree, and genius is the fruit.”

“Before you say God is a pessimist, remember He's an optimist. Before you say God is a traditionalist, remember He's a futurist. Before you say God is a capitalist, remember He's a socialist. Before you say God is a communist, remember He's a religionist. Before you say God is an atheist, remember He's a spiritualist. Before you say God is a theorist, remember He's a pragmatist. Before you say God is a misogynist, remember He's a feminist. Before you say God is a segregationist, remember He's an integrationist. Before you say God is an individualist, remember He's an activist. Before you say God is a fundamentalist, remember He's a liberalist. Before you say God is an antagonist, remember He's a pacifist. Before you say God is an idealist, remember He's a realist. Before you say God is a conformist, remember He's a revolutionist. Before you say God is an anarchist, remember He's a rationalist. Before you say God is a terrorist, remember He's an altruist. Before you say God is an imperialist, remember He's an autonomist. Before you say God is a tribalist, remember He's a nationalist. Before you say God is a hedonist, remember He's a moralist. Before you say God is a paganist, remember He's an evangelist. Before you say God is an elitist, remember He's a humanist.”

“Africa is the ancestral home of black people; our arms are open, in love we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of white people; our hearts are open, in joy we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of Asian people; our minds are open, in peace we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of Middle Eastern people; our homes are open, in delight we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of Aboriginal people; our banks are open, in understanding we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of European people; our schools are open, in humility we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of American people; our markets are open, in friendship we welcome you. Africa is the ancestral home of all people; our countries are open, in appreciation we welcome you.”

“It is doubt that makes faith precious, deciet that makes honesty precious, grief that makes happiness precious, error that makes truth precious, fear that makes love precious, pride that makes humility precious, shame that makes honor precious, anger that makes peace precious, greed that makes contentment precious, despair that makes hope precious, cruelty that makes kindness precious, disloyalty that makes commitment precious, lawlessness that makes justice precious, vengance that makes forgiveness precious, frustration that makes patience precious, hatred that makes tolerance precious, disbelief that makes trust precious, uncertainty that makes confidence precious, skepticism that makes conviction precious, insolence that makes courtesy precious, impoliteness that makes manners precious, imprudence that makes civility precious, contempt that esteem precious, meanness that makes hospitality precious, stinginess that makes generosity precious, roughness that makes gentleness precious, negligence that makes discipline precious, and confusion that makes order precious.”

“You were born a giver, don't die a taker. You were born an earner, don't die a begger. You were born a sharer, don't die a hoader. You were born a lover, don't die a hater. You were born a builder, don't die a destroyer. You were born a creator, don't die an immitator. You were born a leader, don't die a follower. You were born a learner, don't die a teacher. You were born a doer, don't die a talker. You were born a dreamer, don't die a doubter. You were born a winner, don't die a loser. You were born an encourager, don't die a shamer. You were born a defender, don't die an aggressor. You were born a liberator, don't die an executioner. You were born a soldier, don't die a murderer. You were born an angel, don't die a monster. You were born a protecter, don't die an attacker. You were born an originator, don't die a repeater. You were born an achiever, don't die a quitter. You were born a victor, don't die a failure. You were born a conqueror, don't die a warrior. You were born a contender, don't die a joker. You were born a producer, don't die a user. You were born a motivator, don't die a discourager. You were born a master, don't die an amateur. You were born an intessessor, don't die an accusor. You were born an emancipator, don't die a backstabber. You were born a sympathizer, don't die a provoker. You were born a healer, don't die a killer. You were born a peacemaker, don't die an instigater. You were born a deliverer, don't die a collaborator. You were born a savior, don't die a plunderer. You were born a believer, don't die a sinner.”

“When life hands you questions, answer them. When life hands you mysteries, unravel them. When life hands you enigmas, decipher them. When life hands you tasks, accomplish them. When life hands you problems, tackle them. When life hands you skills, develop them. When life hands you talents, sharpen them. When life hands you friends, cherish them. When life hands you family, value them. When life hands you acquaintances, treasure them. When life hands you opponents, confront them. When life hands you acquaintances, celebrate them. When life hands you allies, support them. When life hands you riches, multiply them. When life hands you possessions, protect them. When life hands you pleasures, ration them. When life hands you experiences, relish them. When life hands you students, instruct them. When life hands you mentors, study them. When life hands you teachers, esteem them. When life hands you disciples, inspire them. When life hands you gurus, honor them. When life hands you lessons, remember them. When life hands you teachings, impart them. When life hands you demands, tackle them. When life hands you obstacles, challenge them. When life hands you troubles, overcome them. When life hands you burdens, conquer them. When life hands you titles, cherish them. When life hands you degrees, employ them. When life hands you medals, welcome them. When life hands you awards, appreciate them. When life hands you blessings, count them.”

“You don't have to be educated to be intelligent, eloquent to be wise, rich to be powerful, famous to be important, shameful to be popular, prominent to be superior, wealthy to be generous, influential to be fortunate, celebrated to be kind, famous to be hopeful, shameful to be happy, celebrated to be blessed, heartless to be strong, militant to be firm, loud to be assertive, cocky to be ambitious, overbearing to be dominant, nor aggressive to be determined. And you also don't have to be connected to be successful, gifted to be great, talented to be exceptional, connected to be brilliant, gifted to be extraordinary, talented to be successful, weak to be humble, frail to be meek, timid to be gentle, delicate to be humane, tame to be peaceful, vulnerable to be moderate, schooled to be cultured, literate to be civilized, conceited to be sophisticated, refined to be accomplished, well-bred to be polished, nor learned to be enlightened.”

“If you value information, you will value truth. If you value truth, you will value knowledge. If you value knowledge, you will value insight. If you value insight, you will value understanding. If you value understanding, you will value wisdom. If you value wisdom, you will value enlightenment. If you value peace, you will value contentment. If you value contentment, you will value happiness. If you value happiness, you will value joy. If you value joy, you will value hope. If you value hope, you will value faith. If you value faith, you will value love.”

“Money speaks the language of capitalism, not love. Ego speaks the language of self, not others. Power speaks the language of control, not freedom. Desire speaks the language of yearning, not contentment. Ambition speaks the language of passion, not virtue. Comfort speaks the language of pleasure, not strength. Morality speaks the language of laws, not compassion. Truth speaks the language of reality, not purity. Tradition speaks the language of yesterday, not tomorrow. Culture speaks the language of behavior, not reason. Justice speaks the language of integrity, not mercy. Religion speaks the language of rules, not faith. Race speaks the language of division, not unity. Politics speaks the language of votes, not emancipation.”

“Money speaks the language of captilism, not love. Ego speaks the language of self, not others. Power speaks the language of control, not freedom. Desire speaks the language of yearning, not contentment. Ambition speaks the language of passion, not virtue. Comfort speaks the language of pleasure, not strength. Morality speaks the language of laws, not compassion. Truth speaks the language of reality, not purity. Tradition speaks the language of yesturday, not tomorrow. Culture speaks the language of behavior, not reason. Justice speaks the language of integrity, not mercy. Religion speaks the language of rules, not faith. Race speaks the language of division, not unity. Politics speaks the language of votes, not emancipation.”

“A fish is smarter than you in water. A bird is cleverer than you in air. A lion is nimbler than you on land. An owl is wiser than you at night. A fox is shrewder than you in the day. A rooster is savvier than you in the morning. A worm is wylier than you in soil. A snake is subtler than you in grass. A monkey is slicker than you in trees. A bat is sharper than you at dusk. A hyena is craftier than you at dawn. A dove is keener than you at midday. A seed is adepter than you in earth. A wolf is slyer than you in forests. A tiger is deadlier than you in jungles.”

“The 15 Principles of Life 1. Count your blessings. 2. Read good books. 3. Discover your gifts. 4. Chase your dreams. 5. Learn from everyone. 6. Forgive your enemies. 7. Protect your friends. 8. Love your family. 9. Do good deeds. 10. Harm none. 11. Hone your skills. 12. Work hard. 13. Use time wisely. 14. Take calculated risks. 15. Improve yourself.”

“I don’t want to be admired, I just want to be useful. I don’t want to be idolized, I just want to be helpful. I don’t want to be great, I just want to be successful. I don’t want to be immortalized, I just want to be beneficial. I don’t want to be rich, I just want to be cheerful. I don’t want to be famous, I just want to be peaceful. I don’t want to be eminent, I just want to be blissful. I don’t want to be powerful, I just want to be joyful. I don’t want to be influential, I just want to be functional. I don’t want to be worshiped, I just want to be capable. I don’t want to be defied, I just want to be skillful. I don’t want to be pretentious, I just want to be masterful.”