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Wisdom Is Where You Find It … Mostly
I am always fascinated by sayings, quips, quotes, and even song lyrics and assessing their truth and/or embedded wisdom. You know sometimes you hear something and think to yourself “ain’t that the truth!” And other times you say “huh?” Below are some of my favorites and some thoughts on each.
“Never jump off anything you cannot jump back on!” CW4 R. Rod. This sign was behind his desk. He was a small unassuming man that the NVA put a price on when he was in Vietnam because he was so effective. Having jumped outta a few planes in my time and based on his rep I believe him.
“Many times I’ve wondered how much there is to know.” Over the Hills and Far Away Led Zeppelin. Noodle on this – it is absolutely true. And of course, as I get older, the seemingly less I know.
“Don’t play with knives!” There is a story here that is not mine to tell but suffice it to say I have carried a fair amount of knives in my life and playing with them inevitably results in bloodletting or worse @bossmongo.
“Don’t confuse the issue with pertinent facts.” Longtime favorite. As we “discuss” issues with our left-leaning brethren such as immigration, deregulation, the economy, investigations, the media, global warming, abortion, etc. Bringing facts to bare usually results in an emotional response designed to make you feel bad and inferior and them to feel good and superior.
When I was in my military training we’d always hear “mind over matter” men. Usually followed by “I don’t mind and you don’t matter!” Mind over matter works but only if you know your “why” otherwise all the mind in the world (or muscles for that matter) aren’t going to help when the going gets rough.
“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Luke 10:27. As with many true statements or wisdom, this is simple in principle and difficult in execution.
Never travel without a swimsuit and a sweatshirt. This is my own after much travel. I spent 3 months in SE Asia that by the third month I needed a sweatshirt at night due to the temperature variance despite being in the jungle. And you never know when you might find a pool or a hot tub no matter where you are or how cold it is.
“You never know who you are talking to.” My dad in reference to being respectful to and careful of people.
Feel free to add to and/or share your thoughts Ricochet.
Published in General
Much-appreciated! This is *the* place to be… :-)
“Know your job and do it.” from an Aussie general talking to a bunch of us newly minted USMC infantry officers.
Best advice ever!
Try to do things for yourself, but: Know when you need help, and how to ask for it. – Mom and Dad Panjandrum
I struggle with this one too.
I sometimes think of another Simon, “the father of Alexander and Rufus” [Mk. 15:21], and how Jesus accepted his help. (Oraciones para ti, mi hermano, y Siempre Fiel.)
The three rules of Special Forces:
1. Always look cool.
2. Always know what you’re doing.
3. If you don’t know what you’re doing, see rule #1.
Yep, reminds my of the SEALs who were water skiing naked behind their US Navy riverine craft near Iquitos, Peru. Some American tourists were Not Happy! and reported it the US Embassy in Lima. There was an investigation.
But think about it. It sounds so obvious, but how many people do neither almost every day of their lives? Too many to count I’d say.
“Hell hath no fury like a vested interest masquerading as a moral principle.” – Unknown
good one
“Be good. If you can’t be good, be careful. If you can’t be careful, hope that someone’s praying for you.” ~A monk-friend from my college days. (A favorite) :-D
Once you open a can of worms, the only way to recan them is to use a larger can.
Same thing with whoop-ass, from what I hear.
At least I have chicken…
Love it. Thanks all.
yep, too funny.
P.P.S. His wife was not too happy about his decision. She had little support from her husband (AKA: Gunny) with their 2 toddlers for more than a year. He told me that she got over it pretty quickly when he came home in one piece.
Glad to have this postscript…Gunny Hernandez has a fan club now. :-)