Quote of the Day: 31 July 2026 #QotD

“Things just happen, one after another. They don’t care who knows. But _history_ . . . ah, history is different. History has to be observed. Otherwise it’s not history. It’s just . . . well, things happening one after another.” -Terry Pratchett
[History has a sense of import about it that the events may not have had at the time. It was just things happening. But, then, we learned the importance after the fact.]

Quote of the Day: 30 July 2026 #QotD

“The moment a leader allows himself to become the primary reality people worry about, rather than reality being the primary reality, you have a recipe for mediocrity, or worse. This is one of the key reasons why less charismatic leaders often produce better long-term results than their more charismatic counterparts.” -Jim Collins
[Leadership encompasses so many things that it is difficult to learn them all. Humility is hard enough on its own, but then to add leadership with it makes it that much more difficult.]

Quote of the Day: 29 July 2026 #QotD

“I feel so incredibly lucky to be American and there's not a day that I'm not grateful. We all should be!” -Karol Markowicz
[I appreciate the stories of legal immigrants and their experiences being naturalized. It is amazing how much we have to be grateful for that we simply don't sufficiently recognize because it is taken for granted here.]

Quote of the Day: 28 July 2026 #QotD

“It seems to me, Golan, that the advance of civilization is nothing but an exercise in the limiting of privacy.” -Janov Pelorat, Foundation’s Edge
[Yes. Largely. There are some instances of civilization respecting privacy in some ways. But, by and large, civilization does require the relinquishing of some privacy for the same of social cohesion. That doesn't mean you have to give it up in all areas, or that you shouldn't protest at any further intrusions, though. I will maintain as much of my privacy as I am able to, personally.]

Quote of the Day: 27 July 2026 #QotD

“Pander to me!” -Calvin, Calvin and Hobbes
[Please. I'd really like it.]

Quote of the Day: 26 July 2026 #QotD

“Because of our Savior’s victory over death and sin, we will praise His name forever.” -Neil L. Andersen

Quote of the Day: 25 July 2026 #QotD

“It costs nothing to ask wise advice from a good friend” -Bansir, The Richest Man in Babylon
[Just be cognizant of the source you seek advice from. You can get good advice from a variety of people. However, it would be imprudent to ask that advice of someone who has either shown they lack good judgment, or on a topic about which they know little to nothing.]

Quote of the Day: 24 July 2026 #QotD

“When you spring to an idea, and decide it is truth, without evidence, you blind yourself to other possibilities. Consider them all, boy.” -Chade, Assassin’s Apprentice
[Jumping to conclusions not only prevents you from considering other possibilities that may be the truth, it also conditions you to engage in sloppy thinking rather than slowing down and engaging in rigorous thought.]

Quote of the Day: 23 July 2026 #QotD

“Would that any of us could protect ourselves from the costs heroism often requires. But again, if there were no cost, no sacrifice, then would it be heroism at all?” -Adolin Kholin, Wind and Truth
[There is, of course, a cost to everything we do. Sometimes it is small and insignificant. Other times it is monumental. I wish it were easier to decide if the costs were worth it more of the time, though. It's frustrating not to have perfect foresight.]

Quote of the Day: 22 July 2026 #QotD

“It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.” -Marcus Aurelius
[We all ought to pursue truth. But not everyone is interested in the truth. They would prefer you engage with their pleasant fiction rather than seeing the world and people as they are.]

Quote of the Day: 21 July 2026 #QotD

“It is not ‘hate’ to speak the truth.” -J. K. Rowling
[No matter how much others attempt to shame you or denigrate you for doing so.]

Quote of the Day: 20 July 2026 #QotD

“We might all try minding our own business.” -The Professor, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
[We might, but given the proclivities of the various collectivists, I doubt we will.]

Quote of the Day: 19 July 2026 #QotD

“Jesus Christ is more than a mortal first laid in a manger, more than a friend, teacher, rabbi, minister, or prophet. He is the Only Begotten Son of the Father. And by divine design, His Resurrection by His own godly power reunited His body and His spirit.” -Ronald A. Rasband

Quote of the Day: 18 July 2026 #QotD

“[T]here can be no humor where there is no intelligence[.]” -Miguel de Cervantes
[There is certainly lowbrow humor, or that which appeals to the lowest common denominator. However, even there, there is intelligence in the humor. It simply cannot exist without it.]

Quote of the Day: 17 July 2026 #QotD

“We are fond of talking about ‘progress’; that is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good.” -G. K. Chesterton
[Let us discuss goodness, beauty, and light. It is essential to the betterment of man. Progress means nothing without understanding what we are progressing toward.]

Quote of the Day: 16 July 2026 #QotD

“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” -Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables
[Attitude makes such a difference to our experience of things.]

Quote of the Day: 15 July 2026 #QotD

“The only effective way for scientists to check one another is through replication.” -Jay Bhattacharya
[I don't know how to set up the correct incentives, but we really ought to prioritize replication of scientific studies much more highly than we do. It should receive about the same level of prestige as novel research does.]

Quote of the Day: 14 July 2026 #QotD

“[S]he actually said nay? I aspired to that level of pretension[.]” -Corin Cadence, Sufficiently Advanced Magic
[Some people just naturally and effortlessly pull off things that we would like to be able to do. How do they do it? No idea. It is just somehow authentic to who they are.]

Quote of the Day: 13 July 2026 #QotD

“There are a lot of ways to get ready for trouble.

“You get ready to fight. That’s one of them.

“But it’s even more important that you build something worth fighting for.” -Harry Dresden, Battle Ground

[Is your life one worth fighting for? I know mine is. I'd rather not have to, but I'd feel worse if I didn't if it were necessary.]

Quote of the Day: 12 July 2026 #QotD

“To those who are struggling to come home, know that it is your Savior who’s the one calling you back. In the end, everyone must make their own choices to come home.” -Clark G. Gilbert

Quote of the Day: 11 July 2026 #QotD

“You should be capable of inflicting extreme violence as needed.” -Robb Allen
[Without the capacity for violence you aren't really civilized. You're merely harmless.]

Quote of the Day: 10 July 2026 #QotD

“It is natural for all living things to desire continuing to live above all else. Only one must disregard that desire to achieve greatness.” -Ashok Vadal, Graveyard of Demons
[If you want to be great, your pursuit of excellence must exceed all else in your life.]

Quote of the Day: 9 July 2026 #QotD

“You can buy fun with money, but you can't buy happiness.” -Dave Ramsey
[Pleasure and happiness are related but distinct experiences. Ultimately, happiness and contentment are choices you make about your circumstances. Sometimes easier to make than others, but still a choice.]

Quote of the Day: 8 July 2026 #QotD

“The best performers observe themselves closely. They are in effect able to step outside themselves, monitor what is happening in their own minds, and ask how it’s going.” -Geoff Colvin
[Metacognition is an interesting thing. It's hard to accomplish much of the time but is so rewarding to engage in.]

Quote of the Day: 7 July 2026

“A boss is the man who does the bossing. Titles and insignia come later.” -Andrew Nivens, The Puppet Masters
[Behavior is noticed and earns its rewards (or consequences). You get what you deserve. Eventually.]

Quote of the Day: 6 July 2026 #QotD

“[B]usiness is more than just a counting of the profits. It is a chance for service, a chance to make a contribution. It is the glue that keeps our civilization stuck together, and there can be no prouder profession for any man to follow.” -An Old Business Owner, They Walked Like Men
[A lot of people (well-intentioned or not) do not understand business. Voluntary exchange is the basis of a high functioning society. You can engage in business with someone you disagree with because you will both gain something from the transaction.]

Quote of the Day: 5 July 2026 #QotD

“We must encounter the empty tomb, experience the reality of what it means, and, in turn, share that witness with others.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quote of the Day: 4 July 2026 #QotD

“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people, a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations.” -John Adams
[Happy Independence Day! 250 years. I hope and pray there will be many more yet to come.]

Quote of the Day: 3 July 2026 #QotD

“Yeah, strength in diversity isn’t quite the same as strength in adversity.” -Gerek, Spacetrawler
[Sounds similar but has a very different meaning. Many such instances, and this one can be insidious.]

Quote of the Day: 2 July 2026 #QotD

“The wait for the world to tell you that you’re special can be a long and lonely one. Better to get off your arse and let it know that you are.” -Miles Smoly, The Book That Broke the World
[You can sit back and let the world happen to you, or you can go out and happen to the world. One of them produces more significant results. The choice is up to you.]

Quote of the Day: 1 July 2026 #QotD

“One individual can make an incredible difference, but that individual is shaped and created and influenced by thousands of other people. And that person shapes and creates and influences thousands of other individuals in return.” -Ms. Trepky, What Stars Are Made Of
[This is often expressed as 'no man is an island.' But, it is good to remember that means we are all influenced by, and in turn influence, others throughout our lives.]