Life Lessons

By Phyllis

Some very important people have shaped my ideas of the world over the years. Let me share a few of the life lessons I have learned from these great men:

On the importance of the political process: "You can't change the world, but you can change the facts. And when you change the facts, you change points of view. If you change points of view, you may change a vote, and when you change a vote, you may change the world."

One the futility of figuring out one of life's great mysteries: "I've read more than a hundred books, seen love mentioned many thousand times. But despite all the places I've looked, it's still no clearer; it's just not enough. I'm still no nearer the meaning of love. Noted down all my observations. Spent an evening watching television. Still I couldn't say with precision."

On whether it is okay to tell lies: "You'll see your problems multiplied when you continually decide to faithfully pursue the policy of truth."

On keeping centered: "Be responsible, respectable, stable, but gullible. Concerned and caring, help the helpless, but always remain ultimately selfish. Get the balance right."

On what to tell my wife when she gets frustrated that I won't see things her way: "Take a look at unselected cases. You will find love has been wrecked by both sides compromising, amounting to a disastrous effect."

And perhaps my favorite, which is pretty much my credo: "Quickly, I remember. Fused and saw a face before. Timing, reason, understanding. Like association whore."

My only question is why these great men are ripping off these guys.