“Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.” — Tom Robbins

One might assume that since I am a believer in the scientific method, that magic would be something I don’t believe. In that, as with most assumptions we make, they would be in error. I do believe what Arthur C. Clarke had to say on the matter (as well as Heinlein, and others), which is, “Any scientific principle or action that is sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic.” And the converse is true as well, but we aren’t going there today; too much to do. But I will reiterate the point, to wit: understanding the universe is our purpose. It’s why we are here; it is our task as rational, presumably intelligent creatures to do our utmost to determine how the universe works, and to learn how to make that knowledge a boon to life, not just ours, but every living creature that exists. Unfortunately, most of humankind doesn’t even know this purpose, and the rest are too busy screwing the rest of us over, and don’t have the time for altruism……SIGH…..
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Grief tears his heart, and drives him to and fro
In all the raging impotence of woe.
— Alexander Pope (1688-1744) — The Iliad of Homer, Book xxii, Line 526

No real compelling message here; I just thought it was a good example of how poetry can take human experience and condense it into two simple lines of simple words. All of the power of our rage, our grief is implied, and felt in this little couplet; we, or at least I, can visualize ourselves in that position easily, and reading this brings the feelings right back into the forefront of the mind, as if it were happening now rather than in the past. The power of poetry continues to amaze……
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“The difference between a misfortune and a calamity?   If Gladstone (insert name of qualified idiot here) fell into the Thames, it would be a misfortune.  But if someone dragged him out again, it would be a calamity.” — Ascribed to Benjamin Disraeli, c. 1867

I like this little insult; it is cruel, witty, and just as pertinent today as it was 144 years ago….all you need to do is fill in the name of whomever you please from the list of public figures we see in the news each day. So far, I’ve plugged in 17 names myself, and found it to be accurate and funny for each one. Goes to show that a sharp wit never grows dull…….
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Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.

I came across this little daisy chain of ideas during a recent dive, and harvested it with no real idea of where to use it. It is a very logical progression of ideas, and seems very profound. But in further reflection I see what it is that struck me about it, i.e., it’s TOO logical a progression to really reflect reality. True Reality isn’t logical, at least not as a general rule. Reality has to account for many things that defy logic, and as such is pretty flexible, and unpredictably labile. While sentences such as this one may seem like a handy train of ideas to give one an understanding of how people grow or change, it actually decreases true understanding. The very logic that holds it together also implies that it is incomplete in its’ descriptive powers, and can possibly lead to misunderstanding and controversy……
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IDIOT, n.  A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling.  The Idiot’s activity is not confined to any special field of thought or action, but “pervades and regulates the whole.”  He has the last word in everything; his decision is unappealable.  He sets the fashions and opinion of taste, dictates the limitations of speech and circumscribes conduct with a dead-line. — Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary”

No comment is needed here; this says it all. And needless also to say, the IDIOT tribe has survived unto today, and continues to influence mankind more than is warranted. All you can do is all you can do, so stay alert and be ready to protect yourself and your loved ones from the next wave of stupidity to wash over society……
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“I can handle reality in small doses, but as a lifestyle it’s much too confining.” — Lily Tomlin

Lily’s humor is always deeper than it seems at first glance. I’m considering having this one put on my headstone…… y’all take care out there…..