The Weight of Wise Words
150 Aphorisms I Have Learned Throughout My Life
Podcast | Video | Artifact
Disclaimer: The ideas in this article was written by a Human.
Dear Intelligent Reader,
One constant problem I continue to battle as a behavioral health and substance abuse counselor is that many people are severely unaware of how underdeveloped they are in life. What I mean is that, somewhere along the way, they unintentionally stopped cultivating themselves after they left school. A lot of that is due to their lifestyle choices, as well as the circumstances they grew up in. Many of these individuals, now in their older years, struggle to manage their lives and solve some of life’s basic necessities, such as housing, health care, vital records, employment and even providing food and clothing for themselves.
When I look deeper into the issue, I tend to find a common thread. When I follow that thread, I usually end up in the same place: the mindset of the person. The problem many of these people have in common is their mindset. The way they view the world and themselves is often shallow and lacks depth. To be fair, I meet many people from all walks of life, and it is common to see that, when it comes to the development of the mind, many of us are severely lacking.
Well, why is that?
What I’ve noticed is that, as humans, we tend to have fixed ideas that we are not willing to question, challenge or build upon. We think the little we know is sufficient for us. We believe it is enough, and we don’t need to study the truth about what we believe in a more diligent fashion.
Too many of us never intentionally designed our philosophies and ideologies. We merely adopted them from the environment we grew up in and the people we listened to. Because we don’t allow new ideas to flow into our minds, and because we don’t filter out ideas that are weak, untrue or based only on opinion, we become stagnant in our growth and development. Eventually, we may find ourselves trapped in bad situations created by our own thinking and choices.
One solution that has helped me avoid stagnation is the practice of discovering new ideas and recording them in some way. When I first started doing this, I didn’t really understand how it would benefit me in the future. But now I know that every new idea I discover and learn gives me a new perspective on how to look at a certain aspect of life.
Throughout my own life, I have gathered wise sayings that have served me well. I have become the type of person who, if I hear or read something inspiring, informative or thought-provoking, I try to write it down and save it for a later day.
If it makes me pause and think about the meaning of life in a deeper way, I want to keep it. This habit started in my late teens when I began journaling.
What I’ve noticed is that, as humans, we tend to have fixed ideas that we are not willing to question, challenge or build upon. We think the little we know is sufficient for us. We believe it is enough, and we don’t need to study the truth about what we believe in a more diligent fashion.
Too many of us never intentionally designed our philosophies and ideologies. We merely adopted them from the environment we grew up in and the people we listened to. Because we don’t allow new ideas to flow into our minds, and because we don’t filter out ideas that are weak, untrue or based only on opinion, we become stagnant in our growth and development. Eventually, we may find ourselves trapped in bad situations created by our own thinking and choices.
One solution that has helped me avoid stagnation is the practice of discovering new ideas and recording them in some way. When I first started doing this, I didn’t really understand how it would benefit me in the future. But now I know that every new idea I discover and learn gives me a new perspective on how to look at a certain aspect of life.
Throughout my own life, I have gathered wise sayings that have served me well. I have become the type of person who, if I hear or read something inspiring, informative or thought-provoking, I try to write it down and save it for a later day. If it makes me pause and think about the meaning of life in a deeper way, I want to keep it. This habit started in my late teens when I began journaling.
Early in my life, education wasn’t something I took very seriously. I was kind of a rebel from seventh grade to 11th grade.
School, for me back then, was where I hung out with my friends, met girls and got into trouble. It wasn’t a place of learning and discipline. It was a place of fun and tomfoolery.
That began to change after I had a deeply disturbing experience that caused me to question not only my own existence, but existence itself. I realized there had to be more to life than partying and bullsh*t. I felt there had to be a purpose for everything, and that is when I began my journey of seeking to know the truth of things.
Early in my life, education wasn’t something I took very seriously. I was kind of a rebel from seventh grade to 11th grade. School, for me back then, was where I hung out with my friends, met girls and got into trouble. It wasn’t a place of learning and discipline. It was a place of fun and tomfoolery.
That began to change after I had a deeply disturbing experience that caused me to question not only my own existence, but existence itself. I realized there had to be more to life than partying and bullsh*t. I felt there had to be a purpose for everything, and that is when I began my journey of seeking to know the truth of things.
That journey has led me down a lifelong path of research, study and investigation. Along the way, I have picked up an extensive library of aphorisms that are near and dear to me. They are part of my philosophy and attitude toward life. These sayings come from a variety of sources. Some are biblical. Others are secular. Some come from my own original thoughts, discovered through self-reflection and study.
Each one has given me a different perspective or viewpoint on something. Each one has expanded my overall awareness of the Creator, his creation and myself. They whisper greater truths about the seen and unseen universal forces. Some even offer a glimpse into eternity itself.
I want to share some of these sentences of wisdom with you today. Before I share them, I want you to understand that these are not just quotes to admire. They are ideas that can push you to a higher level of thinking.
My hope is that they may serve an even greater purpose in your life than they have in mine.
The Sentences of Wisdom:
Speak when it is not proper to be silent, but speak concerning the things you know (only) when it is fitting.
May the right timing precede your words.
Many people work hard on their job, but not on their future.
Patience is not a passive quality — but an active discipline.
Parenting begins at conception — not birth.
Feelings are always the result of focus. If you don’t like what you’re feeling, change your focus.
Whatever your hands find good to do; do it with all your might; do it with all your mind; do it with all your heart.
When it is proper to act, do not use a word.
Higher learning equals higher earning.
Do not wish to speak first in the midst of a crowd.
Whatever you give for the love of God, you will gain 100x more.
While it is a skill to speak, it is also a skill to be silent.
It is better for you to be defeated while speaking the truth, than for you to be victorious through deceit.
He who is victorious through deceit will be defeated by the truth.
The truth does not need your protection, it can defend itself.
In order to undo the damage of saying one negative thing you must say at least 10 positive affirmations.
Untrue words are a characteristic of an evil person.
A philosophy is a school of thought that is developed by the accumulation, comprehension and application of truth.
We walk by what we believe, not by what we see.
The oppressor will never finance your freedom — only your slavery.
Adversity builds character.
You cannot develop your character without developing your mindset.
You need the right mental attitude in order to grow your personal attributes.
The law of return states: you get out what you put in.
The glory of an object is its intrinsic worth.
Sometimes landing a final blow can be a step away from one’s own demise.
The truth trumps all. And the one who created it trumps truth.
Do your best not to deceive anyone, especially one who needs advice.
Faithful is he who is first with all good works.
True wisdom leads the soul to the place of God.
Principles are independent from you — but you are dependent on them.
The untimely and unthoughtful word is a characteristic of an evil mind.
It is not possible for a believing nature to become fond of lying.
The way you react or respond today, will determine the outcome of your tomorrow.
A fearful and slavish nature will not be able to partake in true faith.
When you create something of value you must put a cost to it. And the people who value it will pay what it costs. If you don’t define a cost, it will be devalued.
When you are with true believing persons, desire more to listen rather than to speak.
If you follow the crowd, you will always get lost in it.
School isn’t just about getting a degree to make money; It’s about being in a learning environment with other peers to foster your growth and development.
The inner reality creates the outer form.
God is the rule and the exception to everything.
A pleasure-loving man is useless in everything.
When there is no accounting of sin, do not speak in anything which is from God.
Your biggest expense in life is not knowing.
Don’t let what you know keep you from learning what you don’t know.
The sins of those who are ignorant are the shame of those who have taught them.
A wise person is a doer of good works after God.
May your life confirm your words before those who hear.
Don’t pray for things — pray to become.
What it is not right to do, do not even consider it.
What you do not want to happen to you, do not do it yourself either.
Empower your expectations and only give energy to outcomes you desire.
He is a wise man who commends God to men, and God thinks more highly of the wise man than his own works.
Don’t be these three things: unteachable, untrainable, and uncoachable.
Everything God possesses, the wise man has access to also.
Where intention goes, attention follows.
Thoughts are things. You become what you think about.
Your thoughts create your actions and your actions create your experience.
An evil soul flees from God.
Your external life will only change, when you change internally.
Do not seek goodness in the flesh.
Your circumstances are meant to refine you — not define you.
Words are like keys that unlock doors.
Don’t just be a follower, be a student. True leaders learn to study themselves.
The truth is always good enough.
Everyday stand guard at the door of your heart. You decide what goes into your mind.
Wealth is not a matter of intelligence — it is a matter of inspiration.
Work to build systems, develop skills, and develop relationships.
After God, honor a true wise man, since he is a servant of God.
To make the body of your soul a burden is pride, but to be able to restrain it gently when necessary, is blessedness.
Discover the purpose for your life; develop yourself in that purpose; deploy yourself and fulfill your purpose.
Making money is an action; keeping money is a behavior; growing money involves knowledge and wisdom.
Human interaction is an absolute necessity for your growth and development.
Do not become guilty of your own death.
The better you are at solving problems, the more valuable you are to the world.
The fear of death grieves man because of the ignorance of the soul.
Doing great things will not make you great; but becoming great will certainly lead you to do great things.
Someone who says “I believe,” even if he spends a great deal of pretending, he will not prevail, but he will fall; as your heart is so will be your life.
A Godly heart produces a blessed life.
Love and fear determine how you make decisions. If you’re operating out of love more than fear then you’re being led by the spirit of love.
Let not an ungrateful person cause you to cease to do good.
You can use words without thinking but you can’t think without words.
Do not say with your mind that these things which were asked of you, and you gave immediately, are more valuable than the receiver of them.
Thinking is the hardest work most people never do.
I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.
Poverty is a byproduct of a larger problem.
You will use great property, if you give to the needy willingly.
It is easy to disagree with leadership when you don’t understand the burden of it.
Persuade a senseless brother not to be senseless.
Convenience always looks better than commitment.
We all have an assignment. Your dominion will be found in your assignment.
Strive eagerly to be victorious over every man in prudence; maintain self-sufficiency.
You cannot receive understanding unless you know first that you possess it. In everything there is again this sentence.
Faith happens in the present — not the past, nor the future.
Relationship precedes ministry.
It is better to serve others than to make others serve you.
Your skills, talents and abilities can take you to great heights that only your character can sustain.
Do not hold an opinion which does not benefit the needy, but also do not listen to it.
He who gives something without respect commits an outrage.
The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thinking.
If you take on the guardianship of orphans, you will be a father of many children and you will be beloved of God.
He whom you serve because of honor, you have served for a wage.
It is better to have and not need, than need and not have.
Do not provoke the anger of a mob. Know, then what is fitting for the fortunate man to do.
Responsibility without accountability can lead to corruptibility.
It is better to die than to darken the soul because of the immoderation of the belly and the eyes.
Poverty is a result of instability.
Everything is difficult until it becomes easy.
Where there is no virtue there can be no leadership, no inspiration to greatness, no vision for a noble life.
Say with your mind that the body is the garment of your soul; keep it therefore pure, since it is innocent.
Whatever the soul will do while it is in the body, it has as witnesses when it goes into judgment.
Time is the measurement of change which is a measure of effort and results.
Unclean spirits do lay claim to a polluted soul; a faithful and good soul, evil spirits will not be able to hinder in the way of God.
You can’t get change from something that is out of order.
For those who are corrupted by glory, it is not assuring to hear about God.
Value that isn’t valued is not valuable.
What you believe in your subconscious level is what you do. What you believe at your conscious level is what you say. If what you say doesn’t match up with what you do, then you are a double minded person.
It is not a small thing (or danger) for us to speak the truth about God; do not say anything about God before you have learned from God.
As long as your path is a righteous one, the Lord will aid you. But then you must ask yourself, what is righteousness?
The true word about God is the word of God.
Just because someone calls you boss, doesn’t mean you’re a leader.
Take great caution in how you speak to a godless person about God; If you are polluted on account of impure works, it is better not to speak about God.
Learn to respond in love, instead of reacting in fear. How you respond or react is determined by your mindset.
Speak concerning the word about God as if you were saying it in the presence of God.
You don’t create your own reality. You create your own experience within that reality. And that becomes your reality.
If first your mind is persuaded that you have been God-loving, then speak to whomever you wish about God.
You don’t lack access — you lack awareness.
You can’t discover your purpose by looking in the mirror at your physical body; or looking at your current circumstances; or listening to other people’s opinions about you.
The only way to discover your true purpose is to ask the one who created you. Only the creator knows the true purpose of what they created.
Fear is not just an emotion — it is also a mindset.
May your pious works precede every word about God you speak.
True leaders learn to respond intelligently, instead of reacting emotionally.
Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job.
The only way it gets better for you is when you get better.
A health society produces strong leaders.
It is better for you to be silent about the word of God than to speak recklessly.
Everything bad in this world is at enmity with God.
Those on account of whom the name of God is blasphemed are dead before God.
A person who does evil to someone will not be able to worship God.
He who takes care of men while praying for all of them — this is the truth of God.
The love of man is the beginning of Godliness.
It is God’s business to save whom he wants; on the other hand, it is the business of the pious man to beseech God to save everyone.
If you, from your whole heart, give your bread to the hungry, the gift is small, but the willingness is great with God.
He who makes his mind like unto God as far as he is able, he is the one who honors God greatly.
The faithful do not speak many words, but their works are numerous.
It is a faithful person fond of learning who is the worker of truth.
What is right to do, do it willingly.
What you do well, say with your mind that it is God who does it.
Guard yourself from lying; there is he who deceives and there is he who is deceived.
Know who God is, and know who is the one who thinks in you; a good man is the good work of God.
If you made it this far, I commend you for your focus and determination.
I believe these 150 sayings can help change your perspective on life and help you produce a life greater and more productive than you can imagine. They have helped me become more than I ever thought I would be.
For the sake of time, I only shared a small fraction of what I have recorded over the years. My hope is that you can apply them in your own life and witness their value for yourself.
And so, my dear intelligent reader, I must bid you adieu for now. Take care, and God bless.
In all Love,
The Modern Strategos
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