Maxims

Question 1

George Bernard Shaw on attitude

Answer 1

The true joy in life is to be a force of fortune instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

Question 2

Alfred Adler on caring for others

Answer 2

It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.

Question 3

Isaac Marcosson on listening

Answer 3

Many people fail to make a favorable impression because they don’t listen attentively. They have been so much concerned with what they’re going to say next that they don’t keep their ears open. Very important people have told me that they prefer good listeners to good talkers, but the ability to listen seems rarer than almost any other good trait.

Question 4

Angela Duckworth on genius

Answer 4

You’re no genius,” my dad used to say when I was just a little girl. I realize now he was talking to himself as much as he was talking to me.

If you define genius as being able to accomplish great things in life without effort, then he was right: I’m no genius, and neither is he.

But if, instead, you define genius as working toward excellence, ceaselessly, with every element of your being - then, in fact, my dad is a genius, and so am I, and so is Coates, and if you’re willing, so are you.

Question 5

Benjamin Franklin on arguments

Answer 5

If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes, but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent’s good will.

Question 6

Alexander Pope on teaching

Answer 6

Men must be taught as if you taught them not / And things unknown proposed as things forgot