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Maxims

Lost in Melville

“It is not down in any map; true places never are.” Herman Melville Melville who wrote Moby Dick among other classics also made this cryptic comment. I was impressed that he ended the sentence with a verb. The map is from the cover of The Mapping of California as an Island. it was part of the Border Map collection that I donated to the ASU School of Transborder Studies about ten years ago.

Thin Ice

“If we’re treading on thin ice then we might as well dance.” Jesse Winchester A recycling bin reflected in a puddle in Phoenix. Why ask why?

The Greatest Glory

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela Photo credit to Tom Burrow. Phoenix from a tall building is the sunset capital of the world during the winter.

Wit

“Brevity is the soul of wit.“ William Shakespeare (from Hamlet) The photo is of an Inukshuk I erected in the parking lot at Spur Cross Trailhead.

Capitalism vs Socialism

“The trouble with socialism is socialism the trouble with capitalism is capitalists” Winston Churchill Capitalism harnesses greed to grow a nations wealth but while everyone has more, the wealth remains unevenly distributed. Many capitalists are too greedy. Men are made of crooked timber. FYI I have used about fifty Winston Churchill quotes on my blog over the last 20 years.

Deferred Gratification

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit.’ Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” Muhammad Ali A rainbow in Phoenix during our week of winter rain.

Bookstores

In a bookstores your mind can go window shopping. Adapted from Jonah Goldberg co founder of The Dispatch and a brilliant wordsmith. Photo is from a Powell’s Bookstore Postcard.

Combo Pack

“The people are wiser than their rulers.” General Douglas McArthur This is a combination post. President Zelensky meets an Inukshuk with an embedded quote from Douglas McArthur in multiple colors. Two of my old favorites with my new skill set. The quote is from Judgement at Toyko by Gary Bass Book club reading.

Price

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” Henry David Thoreau The Red Rocks of Sedona. Thoreau was wise but unrealistic. He needs qualifiers. Life is not an on/off switch. To get a serendipitous moment may require putting up with multiple ordinary moments. A low price.

Perspective

“Sometimes a change in location occasions a change in perspective.“ Sometimes a change of attitude is necessary. Note the improving ability to add words to the photos. It turns out the ability was there all along I just hadn’t discovered it permanently yet. Evolutionary progress is being made.