QUICK WISDOM

In my conversations with many people I find that politics alone do not fulfill all of their needs. Many authors have written many (sometimes) long books providing many of the answers, but in this place I do not want to compete with them. However, I have found that a brief insight may open someone's mind to a path of personal inquiry which is a beginning of satisfaction and discovery.

My philosophical nuggets are meant as starting places for personal consideration -- perhaps shared with friends, relatives, or other loved ones. They are brief so as to be carried in their complete form within a mind to be considered and reexamined later.

This introduction will remain at the top of this column, but my philosophical nuggets have been placed with the latest posting first and the first postings last. These nuggets are numbered for easy reference and potential citing in a bibliography.

40. The biggest Programs provide the biggest opportunities for graft.

39. Small programs allow for greater understanding and easier modifications.

38. Never give your seed grain away.

37. The more someone is paid to find excuses to avoid work, the slimmer are the chances that he will find gainful employment.

36. Sin with abandon, but repent with reflection.

35. A choice of two seldom reveals the whole truth.

34. When a con is anxious to sell you a pig in a poke, he rushes his words and warns of disaster if you don't hurry before the pig gets away. After you weary and buy the pig, there will surely be another pig ... And what are you going to do with all those pigs?

33. If you want someone to work for you, don't put him on the dole first.

32. We have heard that we will know the truth and that the truth will set us free; but my warning is that lies, exaggerations, distortions, and half truths can enslave us.

31. Anyone can accord honor, but no one can demand it because demands are not honorable. Conversely, requests and polite entreaties are frequently acceptable.

30. A wise embezzler knows how much he can safely steal without impeding the growth and success of his host; because without the host, the embezzler will be nothing.

29. A little graft can be tolerated by any culture, but too much graft will suck all the life out of the politic, and kill it. Graft is the enemy of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

28. If you blame someone else for all of your problems, you will never improve your situation.

27. Surrender to a despot never begets peace, but defeat of a despot does.

26. True Hope is built upon our confidence and determination to do our parts to nurture and support success.

25. Grudges are a heavy and destructive burden, but we don't need to carry them!

24. Neither anger nor envy invites friends or happiness,
      but kindness and appreciation do.

23. If every person who claims to preach God's word* did so,
      there would be no wars.
     * Muhammad teaches us that God (Allah) has an endless number of names.

22. A dishonest man argueth harder.

21. Luck and easy money are fleeting lovers.

20. Knowledge is a key ingredient of success.

19. Opinion is our ticket to individuality.

18. Creativity is individuality in action.

17. Peace in the world begins with peace in yourself.

16. Every star athlete thanks his parents for inspiration, support, and encouragement.
      The work and determination are his own.

15. "Seek and ye shall find,"
      and if you are looking for trouble, you will surely find it.

14. Sometimes God uses a doctor's skill to help healing
      but prayers always help a doctor's skills.

13. If you tell too many lies,
      you may have trouble believing yourself.

12. If you trust too much, you might get cheated
      but if you trust too little, you will probably cheat yourself.

11. An astute thief can often be a much better leader and administrator
      than an honest idiot.

10. Love without patience, truth, trust, and understanding is empty.

9. Never argue with a fool, a drunk, or a liar.

8. Beware of empty promises.

7. Pleasant thoughts beget a pleasant disposition.

6. What I steal is never mine,
      but what I give is mine forever.

5. I cannot give you what I do not own,
      and neither can you.

4. Every person misinforms others sometimes
      -- and some of those times are entirely unintentional.

3. Thank your children for the good things they do,
      and you will seldom need to admonish them.

2. Worry is the penance we do for failing to trust in God.

1. If the bus comes too early,
      perhaps you are sleeping too late.