Questions Concerning Reputation and Wisdom

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

--William Shakespeare

 

Note, for anyone who keeps a tally:  I was recently advised, by the site I frequent to answer these questions, that I have surpassed 250,000 views of my answers.  I'd be impressed, but it seems to me I've answered close to that many questions.  That would be close to a 1:1 ratio.  Just saying.

 

Why does philosophy love wisdom?

Without wisdom, there would be no good philosophy. We rely on the wise among us to come up with good philosophy based on their sage wisdom.

Would you be a martyr and risk your reputation by standing up for what is right in front of your peers? Or is it better to be pragmatic and do nothing?

I do it all the time, and the folks I hang with expect it. Your ethics should precede you. My hearing is going, though, and a few times people at the cigar bar have turned to look at me because someone said something beyond the pale, surprised I didn't make some smart-assed comment. Judging by their looks I simply state, “Well, God bless your little heart."  This seems to satisfy all… save the one who doesn't understand I'm calling him an idiot. Of course, most of the time I’m the oldest guy in there, and that’s my excuse for being a smart-ass. I can get away with it, because I'm old, though no one ever starts a fight. We're mostly all veterans. and expect comments like that.

What do you advise to the person who had the most indecent moment with their maids?

Maids… plural? Have an STD blood panel done, and then pick a maid to have a relationship with and stop playing Russian Roulette.

“He was an indecent man, I told myself - prayerfully - and then I prayed for him to become decent.”

-- Kelsey Brickl, Paint

What phase would you recommend nobody to go through?

Puberty. Damn those raging hormones!

Looking at the sky egocentrically anticipating something good to fall on me - what if I would wish for something good to fall on others? Didn't think so, but realistically speaking, would such a wish already be the sky fallen good thing itself?

A wish for good is never a waste of time if done selflessly. Better to wish those good wishes befall others, and let the karma fall where it may.

Literature is said to be an art? How is this statement true?

Writing is an art form. As in any art, whether it's good or not is in the eye of the beholder. When you are recognized by the majority in your craft as an excellent artist, you cross into “master” territory. In writing, when you have “mastered” your art, your work is recognized as literature, and if you are exceptional, it is recognized as great literature.

“No one writes anything worth writing, unless he writes entirely for the sake of his subject.”

-- Arthur Schopenhauer

Suggest your personal motto, a word, or short sentence that describes your life philosophy. What would be your theme if you were a leader of a group of people?

Strive to be happy always! Always do your best and, if there is still a chance of success, never give up.

What is a good example of "it is not about the resources one has but on how resourceful one is"?

My answer is, I don’t buy into this, totally. If you’re in a survival situation, how resourceful you are will only take you to the limit of that resourcefulness. There are times when the resources you may come across play a critical role in how resourceful one can be.

Why does harm happen to me?

You probably make bad choices. Try thinking things through and making better ones.

“The good and the bad things are part of life. Accept it. The bad is a learning process, you will surpass it. If you do you will be happy and it will be a good thing.”

-- Ann Marie Aguilar

Did you find what you are looking for?

Nope. Still looking. I may not find it in this life, but there is always the next. I pay more attention to being happy always.

After your retirement, did you miss going into an office or to work every day?

Oh, hell no. I retired to Mexico for a couple of years, worked on a coconut ranch down there to get back into shape. I was 208 pounds when I went there and was 165 when I came back. The only reason I came back was the V.P. of the company I worked for called and asked me to return. I gave him a salary request I thought he would never agree to. Stupid me, but no regrets.

What needs to be said today?

Be happy always!

"Truth and politics do not and cannot mix because politics is the art of saying only what needs to be said - and saying it in just the right way - in order to achieve a desired end."

-- Neale Donald Walsch

What do you mean by the word “goal”? Is this a significant word for you?

The goal is the completion of a project or task. It is significant if you are not a quitter.

Did Tennessee Williams say "Every path is the right path"?

It seems to be attributed to a few folks. Either way, the quote sucks. Have you ever found yourself on the wrong path? Yes, it was your choice to take it, but that doesn’t make it the right path other than it might have taught you what the wrong path is or looks like. If you have to look for the meaning, how good is the wisdom? 

How can you further explain this, "The other person is unconsciously being deceived by the person who knows that he/she accepts, trusts, and cares for him/her"?

The other person is significantly naive.

“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.”

-- Thomas Szasz

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.