A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good. | |
–– Samuel Johnson | |
From: “The Life of Samuel Johnson“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | How About: Just Be Kind… |
2021 | Try To Choose Wisely |
Found It | |
2020 | We Have A Window |
2019 | No Escape |
2018 | Except When It Is From The Oval Office |
2017 | Bad Karma |
2016 | Poor Management Choices |
2015 | Is It Still Dark Out? |
2014 | Rule One |
2013 | Spelling God’s Name |
2012 | Love Your Life And Sing |
Feeling Under the Weather? | |
2011 | Cheers, Friend! |
Posts Tagged ‘Books’
Good Reading
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, Samuel Johnson, The Life of Samuel Johnson on March 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Support Health And Depth
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Books, Carl Sagan, Civilization, History, Libraries, Nature, Philosophy, Quotes, Science on March 17, 2023| 2 Comments »
Books permit us to voyage through time, to tap the wisdom of our ancestors. The library connects us with the insights and knowledge, painfully extracted from Nature, of the greatest minds that ever were, with the best teachers, drawn from the entire planet and from all of our history, to instruct us without tiring, and to inspire us to make our own contribution to the collective knowledge of the human species. Public libraries depend on voluntary contributions. I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | 42 |
2021 | Blessings Larger Than Life |
Tomorrow She Sails | |
2020 | The Sun Came Out |
Not A Wink On Guard | |
2019 | The Importance Of A Deadline |
Chaos Is Not Really A New Remedy | |
2018 | History Will Judge Harshly |
Father Time, Perhaps? | |
2017 | Odds Are |
2016 | Prayer, Too |
2015 | History, n. |
2014 | See It Sometime |
2013 | Precious Friend |
2012 | It Couldn’t Be Done |
Feeling Surrounded? | |
2011 | Surprise! |
A General Guideline For Voting In The 2022 Mid-Terms
Posted in Humor, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged An Incomplete Education, Bedroom Shades, Books, Bugs, Censorship, Democrats, Democrats vs Republicans, Exterminators, Humor, Judy Jones, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Republicans, William Wilson on October 22, 2022| Leave a Comment »
How can you tell if you should be voting Democrat or Republican: | |
Vote Republican if you hire exterminators to kill bugs in your house. | |
Vote Democrat if you step on the bugs. | |
Vote Democrat if you buy books which have been banned somewhere. | |
Vote Republican if you form censorship committees and read the books as a group. | |
Vote Democrat if you eat the fish and game you catch or hunt. | |
Vote Republican if you hang them on a wall. | |
Vote Republican if you keep your bedroom shades drawn (although there is little reason you need to). | |
Vote Democrat if you ought to but don’t. | |
— From “An Incomplete Education“, by Judy Jones and William Wilson | |
[The above quote was posted several years ago, but I’ve recently re-read it, so I’m re-posting it. I would add: | |
Vote Democrat if you believe America should be a representative democracy based on the votes of a majority of the American public. | |
Vote Republican if you believe a theocratic minority (mostly hypocritical) should be able to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of America. | |
— kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Press On |
Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This | |
2020 | AMA |
Still Shiny | |
2019 | Things That Go Bump In The Night |
Hoping I’m Careful | |
2018 | I Must Be Truly Wise |
2017 | My Sensei |
2016 | The Worst Sin |
2015 | Rules Of Thumb |
2014 | A Prayer |
Orange October (IX) – Giants Lose Game 2 In Bullpen Collapse | |
2013 | Complacent Reality |
2012 | Two-minute Sex |
Just Staring, Why? | |
2011 | A World Of Difference |
True For All Arts
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Art, Books, Freedom, Philosophy, Quotes, Ralph Waldo Emerson on September 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Some books leave us free and some books make us free. | |
— Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
[…And blog sites. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Driving To Your Destiny |
Angels | |
2020 | It Almost Certainly Will If #45 Is Re-elected |
Sssshhhh | |
2019 | Deciding, Doing, Done |
Day 5: Getting Easier | |
2018 | Thought Experiments |
Day 38: Going Crazy | |
2017 | Which Did You Learn? |
2016 | Shape And Limit |
2015 | Me Either |
2014 | Just Business |
2013 | Beautiful Adventure |
2012 | Precedence |
2011 | Ya Think? |
My Intentions Are Good
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Intentions, Money, Nick Hornby, Philosophy, Quotes on July 6, 2022| 2 Comments »
I don’t want anyone writing in to point out that I spend too much money on books, many of which I will never read. I know that already. I certainly intend to read all of them, more or less. My intentions are good. Anyway, it’s my money. And I’ll bet you do it too. | |
— Nick Hornby | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | False Freedom And Failure |
Doing It On The One | |
2020 | A Short Count |
Two Loves | |
2019 | Don’t Forget: Fire Burns |
2018 | Especially In The Middle East |
2017 | A Good Local |
2016 | Life Unlimited |
2015 | Still Trying |
2014 | Destiny, n. |
2013 | No Apologies |
2012 | Utterly Convinced |
2011 | A Key To Effectiveness |
A Little Epiphany
Posted in Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged A Pondering Mind, A-Z Quotes.com, Books, Epiphany, Nick Hornby, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Quotes on April 11, 2022| 4 Comments »
I suddenly had a little epiphany: all the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal. … But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not. | |
— Nick Hornby | |
[A similar quote was found at one of the blogs I follow: A Pondering Mind | |
The specific post is located at: All The Books We Own – A Pondering Mind | |
This slightly longer version came from: AZ Quotes.com | |
Both are highly recommended. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | A Little Epiphany |
2021 | Clear Global Standards |
A Girl Like You | |
2020 | Life’s Mysteries |
2019 | I Doubt I Ever Will |
2018 | Who Will Thank (If Not Remember) Me |
2017 | Reinforced Learning |
2016 | I Choose To Believe |
2015 | What They Don’t Teach You At School |
2014 | Still Trying To Die (5) |
2013 | Honest Doubt |
2012 | Choice |
2011 | Ownership Of Thought |
Overbooked
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Neighbors, Nooks, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, Robert Southey, Rooms on February 20, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Give me a room whose every nook is dedicated to a book. | |
— Robert Southey | |
[We recently had a neighbor drop in. She had been discussing books with my wife and wanted to drop off one she had just finished and was recommending. (Readers are the biggest “pushers” in the world.) Anyway, the neighbor was saying she had far too many books and she needed to donate / give away some of them. My wife chuckled. The neighbor looked quizzical… I opened the door to one of my rooms and she saw a wall of books / LP’s / CD’s approximately 18ft long and shelved from floor to ceiling (mostly books). I said that’s only one of two rooms. My wife thanked her and said she’ll be happy to borrow some books. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Overbooked |
2021 | One Month In: Learning To Play Guitar |
Cause The Melody Keeps Haunting Me | |
2020 | Working On My 2019 Tax Returns |
2019 | Three Beliefs |
2018 | He Found Them On-Line |
2017 | Maybe In A Future World |
2016 | Largely A Mystery |
2015 | Tools And Weapons |
2014 | Likes And Dislikes |
2013 | Pillars Of Learning |
2012 | Another JCoM Review |
Move It | |
2011 | Expected Value |
Too Heavy A Burden
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Books, Burdens, Family, Hate, Philosophy, Quotes, U.S. Representative John Lewis on October 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »
We are one people with one family. We all live in the same house… and through books, through information, we must find a way to say to people that we must lay down the burden of hate. For hate is too heavy a burden to bear. | |
— Rep. John Lewis | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Too Heavy A Burden |
I Don’t Mind At All | |
2020 | Compare, Contrast And Learn |
Some Dreams Do Come True | |
Just In Case | |
2019 | Can I Get A Witness? |
2018 | I’d Still Like To Try It Out |
2017 | In Every Thing |
2016 | Future Halo |
2015 | The Hard Way Every Time |
2014 | Indispensable Wits |
2013 | I’d Like To |
2012 | 2012 National League Champions – San Francisco Giants!! |
2nd Viewing – No Change | |
Light Shining Out of Darkness | |
2011 | Just Kickin It |
Are These The “Real” Protectors Of America’s Constitution? | |
2010 | Giants Advance To 2010 World Series!!! |
Start Reading / Start Building
Posted in Education, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Books, Education, George Washington, Knowledge, Philosophy, Quotes on June 16, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built. | |
― George Washington | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Sources Of Enthusiasm |
2021 | Start Reading / Start Building |
I Headed On Alone | |
2020 | Nurturing Trees And Plants |
2019 | Seeking Needs |
2018 | Not Sure Anyway… |
All Clear Nuclear And Burn | |
2017 | Forms Of Conservation |
2016 | Oh, So Lacking |
2015 | e pluribus unum |
2014 | Nothing So Far Removed |
2013 | Positions |
2012 | Two Errors |
2011 | Long Live The King! |
A Chance Meeting Finds A Way
Posted in Other Blogs, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Bookshops, Cecelia Ahern, I Didn't Have My Glasses On, Magic, Other Blogs, Quotes, Reading on May 29, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I believe in the magic of books. I believe that during certain periods in our lives we are drawn to particular books — whether it’s strolling down the aisles of a bookshop with no idea whatsoever of what it is that we want to read and suddenly finding the most perfect, most wonderfully suitable book staring us right in the face. Unblinking. Or a chance meeting with a stranger or friend who recommends a book we would never ordinarily reach for. Books have the ability to find their own way into our lives. | |
― Cecelia Ahern | |
[This quote is available at multiple locations on the web, but I originally found it as a post on one of the blogs I follow: I didn’t have my glasses on…. | |
The specific post is: the magic of books. Which can be found at: https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2021/05/08/24719/ | |
Please give the site a visit if you have some spare time. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Stumbled On This Memory (Of High Notes) |
2021 | A Chance Meeting Finds A Way |
Over 50 Years Ago! | |
2020 | The Magnitude Of The Challenge |
2019 | Still Tearing, Still Being Rewarded |
2018 | Nothing More, Nothing Less |
2017 | Memorial Day – 2017 |
No Wonder I’m Smiling | |
2016 | Thinking Science Fictional |
2015 | Dawn Is Coming |
2014 | Back When I Was A Firebrand |
2013 | Pen In Hand |
Word Up! | |
2012 | Disturbing |
Trying To Keep Up | |
2011 | Unreliable And Selective |
2010 | Adult-Onset Athlete |
Aging Well
Posted in Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Friends, Logs, Quotes, Wine on March 20, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Burn old logs. Drink old wine. Read old books. Keep old friends. | |
— Alfonso X of Spain | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Seek Good |
2021 | Aging Well |
Now And Forever | |
2020 | Always |
2019 | #45 Is More Of A Piddle Than A Puddle |
2018 | Found Out |
A Message To The “Wanna Be” Dictator On Leadership | |
2017 | Still Waiting… |
2016 | Same Old, Same Old |
2015 | Shout! |
2014 | I Hear Voices |
2013 | Ethics And Standards |
2012 | Swing Higher |
2011 | Convicted For Life |
Magical Voices In My Head
Posted in History, Quotes, Reading, tagged Books, Carl Sagan, History, Magic, Quotes on July 30, 2020| Leave a Comment »
The whole idea of what happens when you read a book, I find absolutely stunning. Here’s some product of a tree, little black squiggles on it, you open it up, an inside your head is the voice of someone speaking, who may have been dead 3000 years, and there he is talking directly to you, what a magical thing that is. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | And I’m Not Letting Go |
2018 | The Continuing Failure Of Speaker Paul Ryan |
Day 3: Approaching The Half Way Point | |
2017 | Orange Comb-Overs Unite! |
2016 | Speaking Of Which |
2015 | Complexity Has A Strict Architecture |
2014 | Just Support |
2013 | Wandering Free |
2012 | Contribute = Paying Taxes |
2011 | How Will You Be Judged? |
And The Same Goes For Blogs / Posts
Posted in Quotes, Reading, Writing, tagged Blogging, Books, Meaning, Quotes, Reading, W. Somerset Maugham, Writing on July 11, 2020| 2 Comments »
The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you. | |
–– W. Somerset Maugham | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Not Enough |
2018 | One Thing We Do Know |
2017 | Preservation |
2016 | Going Back |
2015 | Just For Today |
2014 | Reaching For Destiny |
2013 | Still Just Passing Through |
2012 | Live Or Die |
2011 | On Secession |
2010 | A Rocky Weekend |
I Resemble That Remark… (7!)
Posted in Humor, Quotes, tagged Books, Bookstores, Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia, Encyclopedia, How To Hug, Humor, I Resemble That Remark, Quotes on December 4, 2019| Leave a Comment »
There is an amusing story of a young man who decides he wants to learn how to better relate to others. He goes to a bookstore and is hard pressed to find anything to help him. He finally comes up a book that seem helpful. It is titled, “How to Hug.” When he returns home he finds that he has bought Volume Nine of an encyclopedia! | |
— Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia | |
[That sounds exactly like something I would do… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Candlelight Serenade |
Golden | |
A Roots Man, Myself | |
2020 | Wonder And Dreams |
Gatherin’ Up The Tears | |
2019 | I Resemble That Remark… (7!) |
2018 | Mueller Investigation Comparison To #LyingDonald |
2017 | #DonTheCon And Russian Collusion |
2016 | Balance The Truth |
2015 | Still Itchin’ |
2014 | One Life |
2013 | Reason Is Your Light |
2012 | Bordering Manhood |
2011 | Even Christ Couldn’t |