Tag Archives: Wisdom

Always To Be Blessed

Posted on September 10, 2021 by N.S. Palmer

It’s seldom that a two-line passage from a poem can explain so much that’s wrong with the world. But Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man (1732) has just such a passage: “Hope springs eternal in the human breast, Man never is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Political Science, Society | Tagged Alexander Pope, Command economy, Desire, Economics, Essay on Man, Free market, Greedy desire, Serenity, Social Peace, Wisdom | 1 Comment

The Basic Truths Are The Same

Posted on August 8, 2021 by N.S. Palmer

My mentor Brand Blanshard, a philosophy professor at Yale, said that “the basic truths of life are the same for every honest mind, whether atheist or devotee.” My grandfather, a Methodist minister, said that “Every person you meet knows something … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Philosophy | Tagged Blanshard, Freedom, Meaning of life, Rationality, Serenity, Tolerance, Truth, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Be a Winner in 2021

Posted on December 31, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Life is like a game of chess. I was going to say “life is like a box of chocolates,” but apparently someone else has used that already. In high school and college, I played a lot of chess. A chess … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Psychology | Tagged Carpe diem, Courage, Life, Losing, Meaning of life, Personality, Psychology, Risk, Winning, Wisdom | 2 Comments

Minding Our Own Business

Posted on December 16, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

I’m pretty sure that the Dalai Lama quote is fake, but it’s still true. “Not my effing problem” can be a path not only to inner peace, but also to social peace. Think for a moment about what it means … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science | Tagged Arrogance, Humility, Liberty, Life, Respect, Respect for others, Social Conflict, Wisdom | Leave a comment

If You Have Courage

Posted on December 4, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Rudyard Kipling was a Nobel prize-winning British writer. He is best known today for writing The Jungle Book. His poem “If” has been a source of strength and inspiration to many people around the world. I can’t improve on it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Life | Tagged Courage, Determination, Fortitude, If, Kipling, Manliness, Perseverance, Rudyard Kipling, Serenity, Severitas, Tenacity, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Read, and Use Common Sense

Posted on December 2, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be: For loan oft loses both itself and friend; And borrowing dulleth the edge of husbandry.” — “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare One of the greatest crimes of contemporary schooling is that it keeps … Continue reading →

Posted in Life | Tagged Borrowing, Debt, Hamlet, Shakespeare, Western civilization, Western heritage, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Humility and Tolerance Go Together

Posted on December 1, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Name an issue: Immigration. Abortion. Free speech. Lockdowns. Riots. Race relations. Many people are absolutely sure that they know what the problems and solutions are. If you don’t agree with them, then they think you must be ignorant, stupid, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Relations, Life | Tagged Arrogance, Benjamin Franklin, Humility, Intellectual humility, Intolerance, Rational disagreement, Rationality, Tolerance, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Virtue Is Just Doing What’s Right

Posted on November 29, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Virtue has kind of a bad reputation these days. People think it means being prudish or acting superior to everyone else. But real virtue just means behaving in ways that help you, other people, and society. It supports human happiness … Continue reading →

Posted in Life | Tagged Ben Franklin, Good society, Happiness, Morality, Virtue, Wisdom | Leave a comment

You Are Not Alone

Posted on October 3, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

You are not alone. Trust me on that. Right now, someone who loves you is thinking about you. Wondering if you’re all right. Wondering if you’re happy or sad. Wondering if now is a good time to give you a … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology | Tagged COVID-19, Depression, Friendship, Happiness, Lockdowns, Loneliness, love, Optimism, Positive attitude, Serenity, Wisdom | Leave a comment

You Are Responsible for You

Posted on September 4, 2020 by N.S. Palmer

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was a poor boy from Illinois who became one of America’s greatest presidents. He was not a perfect person. He failed often, but he never let it stop him. He kept on going. And whether he failed … Continue reading →