QUOTATIONS

Judah Ibn Tibbon was a Spanish physician and Hebrew-Arabic translator in the 12th century.  In the midst of practicing medicine and translating numerous writings, he took the time to pen, for his son, as ethical will which he passed down to him and survives to this day.  All the lines therein are impressive and important, but one stands out in its aesthetics and value.

Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin business conglomerate.  Under this moniker are companies like Virgin Records, Virgin Mobile, Virgin Atlantic, and, of course, Virgin Galactic.  Branson recently visited the edge of space (by some definitions) and become the first billionaire business owner of a space company to do so.  In his brief time there, he took a moment to reflect on his life and to encourage the dreamers of tomorrow.  His words, recorded many miles above the Earth‘s surface, should echo in all of our ears.

Steven Pinker is an author, philosopher, and a damn good one at that.  His book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress argues that life is, on the whole, better for nearly every person everywhere in the world, today, than it was in years past.  

His words, which I discuss in this episode, are a summary of the most important points of this book and serve as a caution against catastrophism, tribalism, and fatalism that pervade our thoughts so easily.

If you had to relive the day of your death over and over again, what would you change? How would you change? 

Those are the questions asked and answered by author Lauren Oliver in her book Before I Fall.  Lauren, through the eyes of teenage girl, challenges perspectives of others, the way we interact with them, treat them, and the effects.  Today‘s quote speaks to all ages and demands that we think more critically before assuming we know all we need to know about our fellow humans.

Part 3 of 3.  This week, we explore Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility.

Part 2 of 3.  This week, we explore Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, and Moderation.

Benjamin Franklin led an interesting life.  Born in British America and dying in the United States was one among many of his fascinating hallmarks.  He also signed the Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution...the only man to do so.  

Seeking ever to improve himself (hmm, doesn‘t that sound familiar) Franklin set, at age 20, a goal for himself to live a life of moral perfection.  He did so through a list of 13 virtues, practiced weekly for 4 rotations a year, for the remainder of his life...nearly 60 years.  

Over the three episodes, we will examine those 13 virtues for their individual and collective value.  In this episode, we cover Temperance, Silence, Order, and Resolution.

LtCol B.P. McCoy, callsign Darkside-6, led the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment into Baghdad and Fallujah.  There, they experienced some of the greatest challenges ever shouldered by anyone.  He brought most of them home because of his passion for his command, his love for his Marines, and the fierce discipline he demanded of himself and his subordinates.  In his excellent book, The Passion of Command: The Moral Imperative of Leadership he explains his thought process in the workup to deploy and discusses how he built discipline in the small things to ensure success in the large things.

Emily Maroutian, author, poet, and philosopher, was the subject of Episode 50. She graciously agreed to join me for an interview centered around not 1, but 3 quotes of hers that have resonated with me over the years. We have a fantastic discussion touching on many topics, including habits, arguments, growth, and more. Emily’s work can be found at maroutian.com.

Phil Zhangi is the owner and cofounder of Debonaire Ultra Premium Cigars. He is passionate about his cigars and his craft and equally, if not more passionate about life. He is part tobacconist and part philosopher. Optimism and solidarity hold coequal places with humidification and tobacco expertise. His quote, in today’s episode, shows that he refuses to be held down by resentment, fear, or anger as he lives his life. This is a lesson by which we can we can all live.