Five Quotes to Analyze Ourselves.

Fun fact since you’re here; I love a good quote! From a very young age I would scribble quotes in my notebooks from movies, books, and sometimes my dad. I even gave myself the nickname “platitude princess.”

Another fun fact, I had a grand-uncle who would always give us a quote when we saw him.

He was a very distinguished man, his voice with an undertone of a London accent. He had spent a large part of his life in University, then residing there. He returned to us with platitudes, truism's, aphorisms and yes, wisdom. I wish I had more of his sayings written down.

With the dawn of the internet it has been easy to find or perhaps be inundated with platitudes and quotes. On the other hand it’s great having relatively easy to access, well-cataloged, droplets of wisdom.

It's easy to roll one’s eyes or even scoff at a too often shared quote. Nevertheless looking beyond the surface, many quotes offer great value in a plethora of areas.

Here are a few of my favorites,

It is not titles that honor men but men that honor titles.

-Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli

I love this quote! This knowledge could free so many people. So many that we revere are just titles but often do not honor the role they play. There are political titles, medical titles, friend is a title mother and father are titles. Even God is a title. Titles are great but our action creates an adjective that comes before the title like great or terrible parent, or faithful or backstabbing friend, callous doctor or insightful doctor. This quote reminds me to hold myself to a high standard but also expect that same high standard from people in my life, whatever their title may be.

Nothing can be changed until it’s faced.

-James Baldwin

This is such a rich quote. We live in a time of toxic positivity and “good vibes only.” The truth however is we are all complex beings with a wide range of emotions. No emotion is bad or needs to be buried. Rather we can use those emotions to provide clues on what needs to be changed. If problems aren't faced they fester until they become systemic. The antidote is to first acknowledge the problem and then work to eradicate it.

Revolution is about change, and the first place the change begins is in yourself.

-Assata Olugbala Shakur

For all that can be said about the collective, we can only control ourselves. When we take accountability and work steadily towards our goals, progress becomes visible. Movement happens, that is change and change we all can be part of, if we decide something is worth the effort.

In order to understand the world one has to turn away from it on occasion.

Albert Camus

This quote is perfect for the times we find ourselves in. Whether its social or biased Google searches or being bombarded with news stories, we get lost in the muck.and the more. Turning away from the world or taking a break is akin to adjusting a compass. Knowing that an thoughts are our own rather than being victims of an algorithm.

I tell my students, 'When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.

-Toni Morrison

It has been said a rising tide lifts all ships-cant’t help myself- this is not always true. Some ships are leaky vessels and need more than a tide to rise. As individuals we can do our part by sharing knowledge and skills with othes.

There are so many amazing groups of words out there. I encourage you to seek them out or make note of ones that stick out to you. I must leave now for as Great Uncle E. often said

early to bed early to rise makes one healthy, wealthy and wise!

Thank you for reading!