Thread: A Request From a Single Mom

As far as sayings go, I do not have any one statement that has guided me particularly. But here are two that have made a difference in my life.
"Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also."

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.

"1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37
by David King of Israel and Judah roughly 550-600 B.C.

I am much too young at 26 to say much, but I have lived in 4 states and a foreign country and there were two books that helped when I graduated high school. One is called "The Mark of a Man" by Elizabeth Elliot and "Life on the Edge" by James Dobson. They were both good guides and I recommend them.
Best Wishes!

Be courteous in all your dealings with all people.

Take the time to listen to others. You can learn much, even from one whom you consider a fool.

Be honest with yourself & others. It is your reflection as you shave that will be the harshest judge.

Smile.

(Number three still proves occasionally difficult )

Nice to see Marcus Aurelius getting an airing

Here's one of the saying that my dad taught me that has always stuck with me:

"People will either like you or dislike you for the right or wrong reaon. The only people that you need to concern yourself with is the group that doesn't like you for the right reason, and you need to make it right."

Our Fraternity's motto- Causa Latet vis est Notissima- The cause is hidden, the results well known.

As one of nine fraternities chartered before the civil war and still around today, most of our founding principles deal with being a gentleman and scholar- and we have a code called "to better the man". Some of this is published in a book by the same name, much of it is passed down through oral history and ritual. Amongst other teachings, I think the biggest lesson I have learned is in our motto- Always do the right thing- not for a reward, not for fame, not for a favour, but because down inside you know it is right, and great actions speak for themselves.

I make motion that this thread be a stickie!!

Second?

I will second that emotion.

Motion to vote.

I'd say:

Being a man means following your own path lead by your heart and filled with integrity.

1. You can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t. ~Joe Kuhel
2. Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. ~Gautama Buddha

These pretty much embody my attitude/outlook as a man and a human being.

And here are some others that have meaning but exhibit a little bit of my cynical/skeptical mindset:

3. If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
4. Life's like a sh!t sandwich, the more bread you've got, the less sh!t you gotta eat.