Quote of the Day: 31 January 2023 #QotD

“Our nation is weakened by a system that breeds a visceral hatred so deep that most people would as soon see the world burn as stay as it is, but lack the will to try and change it.” -King Paelis, Traitor’s Blade
[There's no shortage of folks on what I consider the other side willing to work to make it 'better' in their view, but far worse in mine. And they seem impervious to reason and experience.]

Quote of the Day: 30 January 2023 #QotD

“Everyone, no matter their age, needs to feel a sense of control, or power, over their own lives.” -Amy McCready
[The real problem comes from those who want a measure of control in other people's lives.]

Quote of the Day: 29 January 2023 #QotD

“Our joy becomes full as we feel Jesus Christ’s grace and forgiveness for us. And as we offer the miracle of His grace and forgiveness to each other, the mercy we receive and the mercy we offer can help make life’s injustices just.” -Gerrit W. Gong

Quote of the Day: 28 January 2023 #QotD

“That’s a lot more mature than I think I care to be.” -Calvin, Calvin and Hobbes
[Feeling a bit petulant today. I'll get over it.]

Quote of the Day: 27 January 2023 #QotD

“A man of power and responsibility nevertheless needs somebody to tell him when he is being a bloody fool.” -The Old Baron, I Shall Wear Midnight
[Every once in a while, a man who holds power recognizes the responsibility that places on him. And even more rarely he wants to do the right thing. It sure is helpful to those people if they aren't surrounded solely by yes men.]

Quote of the Day: 26 January 2023 #QotD

“My brain surprises even me sometimes.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
[A statement that could have been made in humility or out of pride. Which it is could be quite difficult to determine.]

Quote of the Day: 25 January 2023 #QotD

“The same substance composes us—the tree overhead, the stone beneath us, the bird, the beast, the star—we are all one, all moving to the same end.” -The Hamadryad, Mary Poppins
[This is true to a limited extent. Obviously we don't all conclude our lives the same way, but everyone does die. Even the stars.]

Quote of the Day: 24 January 2023 #QotD

“There is no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind[.]” -Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby
[It is complete, and either scary or entertaining. It's largely dependent upon how affected you are personally by the confusion which of those two it is.]

Quote of the Day: 23 January 2023 #QotD

“No other major contemporary American institution has the kind of intolerance for free expression which has spawned the phrase ‘politically correct’ in academia.” -Thomas Sowell
[And that was decades ago. The intolerance has only grown since then. I doubt we would recognize the intolerance of that time today, given the attempts to 'cancel' folks that happen now.]

Quote of the Day: 22 January 2023 #QotD

“A true Christian cannot follow the Master only in those matters with which he or she agrees. _No_. We follow Him everywhere, including, if necessary, into arenas filled with tears and trouble, where sometimes we may stand very much alone.” -Jeffrey R. Holland

Quote of the Day: 21 January 2023 #QotD

“It is a lot easier to be brave when you know you have no alternative.” -Cressida Cowell
[I have experienced this. I hope not to need to again, but having been through hard things before fortifies me and stiffens my resolve.]

Quote of the Day: 20 January 2023 #QotD

“Now, the value of an idea has nothing whatsoever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it.” -Lord Henry Wotton, The Picture of Dorian Gray
[I have actually experienced someone tout someone's sincerity as a means of establishing their credibility. The two things have very little to do with one another.]

Quote of the Day: 19 January 2023 #QotD

“Any system that is built on a false understanding of human nature is doomed to fail.” -Gad Saad
[And so many are. If only they could fail without the damage to innocent people.]

Quote of the Day: 18 January 2023 #QotD

“We must go on, because we can’t turn back.” -Captain Smollett, Treasure Island
[True. All we can ever do is go on. Even when we can physically return, we have still moved on temporally.]

Quote of the Day: 17 January 2023 #QotD

“Should we distrust the man because his manners are not our manners, and that his skin is dark?” -Cora Munro, The Last of the Mohicans
[This rhetorical is intended to exhibit an attitude opposed to racism. Just in case there are any of the wokescolds passing by who may not have picked up on that in the first place.]

Quote of the Day: 16 January 2023 #QotD

“Make it a standard practice in your family to cheer each other on in your various pursuits.” -Amy McCready
[Families should cheer one another on. I have work to do. Obviously.]

Quote of the Day: 15 January 2023 #QotD

“This will be our world until the Savior returns, with much that is good and much that is evil on every side.” -Neil L. Andersen

Quote of the Day: 14 January 2023 #QotD

“NOT THINKING ABOUT IT WON’T MAKE IT GO AWAY, YOU KNOW!” -Calvin, Calvin and Hobbes
[But I think it will sometimes. Or at least, I act as though it will.]

Quote of the Day: 13 January 2023 #QotD

“Everyone shush now. I’m about to be impressive.” -Falcio val Mond, Tyrant’s Throne
[Has anyone who has said something like this ever actually been impressive? I haven't experienced anyone do it. In fact, I rarely ever experience anyone calling their shot like this in the first place.]

Quote of the Day: 12 January 2023 #QotD

“Life is always dangerous—never forget that. In the end, perhaps, not only great natural forces, but the work of our own hands may destroy it.” -Mr. Venables, The Pale Horse
[There are so many dangers all around us, and we would be foolish to ignore them simply to assuage our feelings of vulnerability.]

Quote of the Day: 11 January 2023 #QotD

“These times are not necessarily good, and not necessarily bad. In fact, what they are depends on what we are.” -Tiffany Aching, I Shall Wear Midnight

[Both collectively and individually. Our attitude and approach make a big difference in the outcomes.]
 

Quote of the Day: 10 January 2023 #QotD

“Real equity requires the old fashioned virtues. It is inextricable from full ownership of your own course in life.” -Matt Rosenberg
[The treadmill of lexical change proceeds undaunted, driven by the urge of authoritarians to control thought through expression.]

Quote of the Day: 9 January 2023 #QotD

“Children need to be encouraged to read for fun on a regular basis—and they should not have to summarize or discuss these books.” -Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
[There are so many good stories to read, and so many things that can be learned. We really need to foster the love of reading in children, rather than extinguishing it through requiring stultifying explanations of what has been read.]

Quote of the Day: 8 January 2023 #QotD

“The work of creation is not an end in itself. It is an integral part of God’s plan for His children. Its purpose is to provide the setting in which men and women may be tested, exercise their agency, find joy, and learn and progress so that they may one day return to the presence of their Creator and inherit eternal life.” -Gérald Caussé

Quote of the Day: 7 January 2023 #QotD

“Being frightened is not the same as being a coward.” -Cressida Cowell

[Something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.]

Quote of the Day: 6 January 2023 #QotD

“The educational establishment has a long—and successful—history of opposing and thwarting virtually all attempts to measure educational results.” -Thomas Sowell
[This was written decades ago, and it seems little has changed. For just one example, see the recent podcast on reading instruction, Sold a Story. And this is just one subject.]

Quote of the Day: 5 January 2023 #QotD

“What’s the good of knowing if you don’t tell anyone?” -Michael Banks, Mary Poppins
[About the only reason I can come up with is an unearned sense of superiority.]

Quote of the Day: 4 January 2023 #QotD

“Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work, and then they get elected and prove it.” -P. J. O’Rourke
[I've been holding on to this quote knowing that there would be a situation for which it would be just perfect. Sadly, that event has now occurred. Why can't Republicans get their crap together?]

Quote of the Day: 3 January 2023 #QotD

“And am I answerable that thoughtless and unprincipled men exist, whose shades of countenance may resemble mine?” -Cora Munro, The Last of the Mohicans
[The very obvious answer to this rhetorical question is 'no'. And yet there is a vocal group for whom the answer they have arrived at it 'yes'. And they are moving toward militant action to rectify the perceived faults in the world as they see them.]

Quote of the Day: 2 January 2023 #QotD

“The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world.… If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.” -Basil Hallward, The Picture of Dorian Gray
[Sometimes I wonder what it truly means when we say ignorance is bliss. I strongly suspect this is at least a part of it.]

Quote of the Day: 1 January 2023 #QotD

“Thus, the doctrine of belonging comes down to this—each one of us can affirm: Jesus Christ died for me; He thought me worthy of His blood. He loves me and can make all the difference in my life. As I repent, His grace will transform me. I am one with Him in the gospel covenant; I belong in His Church and kingdom; and I belong in His cause to bring redemption to all of God’s children.” -D. Todd Christofferson