Quotation: George Eliot

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple human pity that will not forsake us.

George Eliot (1819-1880) Discuss

Just a Thought: “Wisdom dies in the errata of the book of books”

BAMPFYLDE MOORE CAREW, KING OF THE BEGGARS

Carew was an English rogue and vagabond who became a folk hero after The Life and Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew was published in 1745. The book portrayed him as a roaming trickster who lived off the money he made deceiving the wealthy. Carew’s ruses included claiming alms as a shipwrecked sailor, dressing as an old woman, posing as a rat-catcher, and faking smallpox. Carew claimed to have been elected “King of the Beggars” by members of what group after the death of their leader? More… Discuss

 

Quotation: Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) on Experience as an “undesirable Old Acquaintance”

Experience, n.: The wisdom that enables us to recognize as an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) Discuss

Quotation: Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) on retiring, for preservation

To retire is not to flee, and there is no wisdom in waiting when danger outweighs hope, and it is the part of wise men to preserve themselves to-day for to-morrow, and not risk all in one day.

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) Discuss