Freedom is fragile and must be protected. To sacrifice it, even as a temporary measure, is to betray it.
Germaine Greer
I’m not sure how I feel about this quote by Germaine Greer, because I agree with the beginning about freedom being fragile, but I do not agree with the end saying that it will be betrayed. Freedom can not be betrayed, but it can be taken away. Freedom is taken for granted I know by the US citizens. Compared to other countries, we are highly privileged. Some countries can’t practice any religion or have free of speech. Freedom can be temporary if you don’t use it correctly or to an extent.
They are not free who drag their chains after them.
French Proverb
I agree with the French Proverb, because I can even relate this to slavery, but I’m not going to. I can relate this to, every day life. Chains can be problems, grudges, or anything that you drag around with yourself. You aren’t free until you let those things go. Problems and grudges will hold you back and down. Chains can hold you back as long as if you drag them.
Janaro, Richard Paul., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human: Humanities for the 21st Century. Longman, 2000.
People create their own questions because they’re afraid to look straight. All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don’t sit looking at it – walk
Ayn Rand
I agree because many live life in doubt and “what if”. Many are afraid to walk the road that is in front of them and have faith. I believe in the phrase of “Let go & Let God”, because if God opened up a straight path road before you, don’t question it or ponder, but to just take the step and walk ahead. Doubts and questions are the same thing in my opinion and who are we to question God.
Good laws lead to the making of better ones; bad ones bring about worse.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I feel neutral about this, because I do not agree with the second part. That states about “bad ones bring about worse”. I don’t believe in a “bad law” because not everyone breaks the law. It is upon that individual to break the law and for them to have their opinion about the law. Some criminals are bias about laws and commandments, while noncriminals believe that the laws or commandments are justifiable. Good laws are meant to keep us safe, well any law is meant to keep us safe. That is why I do not agree with the second part of that statement. There is no such thing as a “bad one”. Just like the commandments are basically laws by God that are made and easily understood like black or white. There is no bad commandment that is argumentative. All ten of them are justifiable.
To the good I would be good; to the not good I would also be good in order to make them good
Lao-tzu
I agree because I believe in the golden rule. Which is treat others, the way you would like to be treated. I do not believe in the eye for a eye phrase because I do believe karma is a thing. Just because someone did you wrong does not mean you need to do the same. If you are a “mature” person, you would know to treat someone with respect regardless of how they treat you. I do believe karma has its way handling things, because some people will hate that you are happy or smiling or hugging. Some people just need a hug or a smile to brighten their day. But you can’t just be evil to them because they were evil to you.
“The Path of Life.” ArtofJ, jeromewjonesjr.com/the-path-of-life/.
“7 Reasons Why We Should Be Giving More Hugs.” Wondrlust, wondrlust.com/action/7-reasons-why-we-should-be-giving-more-hugs/.
Janaro, Richard Paul., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human: Humanities for the 21st Century. Longman, 2000.
Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods, he can learn more than what’s in books.
George Washington Carver
I agree with George Washington Carver because the book knowledge can only take you so far. Having experience, like taking a walk alone or with friends will change your perspective of what you learn in the books. Nothing can compare to experience. Even though you have the mental experience, you need the physical experience. Authors can be as descriptive as they want, but actually going out to see what you read is another experience. You can read about how beautiful a butterfly is, until you go see one. You will see that words can not describe the beauty of a butterfly. The old saying is beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there is also a saying that words sometimes can’t explain or you’re lost for words.
Nature is the art of God.
Dante Alighieri
I totally agree because God took six wonderful days to create nature. Despite there was seven days of creation the last day was for rest, but those other six days were of art. God took his time in creating nature. He made sure everything he created was uniquely made in its own way. Not only did He create nature but He gave it to us to take care of. Nature itself is beautiful even if its just grass. Have you ever seen that “pretty green” grass before? Or even seen how golden a desert is? God created Earth with a paintbrush and used a kin eye.
Great things are done when men and mountains meet.
This is not done by jostling in the street.
William Blake
I agree because fighting about something does not fix it but sometimes makes it worse. Having differences should motivate man to go out into nature and make things right where you can meet another man’s difference. When men and mountains meet, things get done and completed. Mountain representing work or nature.
Janaro, Richard Paul., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human. Longman, 2011.
I agree with William Shakespeare, because some people do trap others instead of genuinely loving someone. I believe “Cupid” plays a role because even when Valentine’s Day comes around “Cupid” is a popular image. Valentine’s Day is considered the “Love Day”. Romance is up to the two individuals. Some believe “Cupid” is the reason behind their relationship because the story behind of how they fell in love. Cupid shot the arrow for them to make eye contact or be at that same place. The metaphor of love produced by Cupid and his arrows draws attention to humans desires and passions to connect individuals to each other. Whereas traps indicate lust where someone or something may look attractive but is not the one for you.
Love is merely a madness.
William Shakespeare
I agree with William Shakespeare, because love is a passionate word. Love can be either good or bad. You can have the love drive for something that makes you mad or turn mad. Madness is the state of being mentally ill, severely. Love can turn you mentally unstable towards someone. Love can make you do the nicest of things as well as horrific. It is an emotion that takes someone to either ends of spectrum. It is easily spread making it a very hard thing to control and cease if need be.
Love must be as much a light as a flame
Henry David Thoreau
I agree with Henry David Thoreau, because love is like a fire. The fire of love is alive and vibrant, or it can a desire or yearning. Most relationships start off with a flame of love or with the light of love. Love should be the guiding factor for everything you do such as a flame in the night to guide your way. The light figuratively and literally should illuminate the darkness and provide clarity as to what it is that is right for you and others especially your significant other.
We live very close together. So our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least do them no harm.
-The Dalai Lama
I agree with The Dalai Lama, because I do believe God put us on this Earth to help each other. Not even that, but it is technically a sin if we do harm each other. When we help each other, life is easier and everything is at peace and harmony. When we are out to hurt each other nothing but chaos is the result of it. None of us, humans have immortal powers where one is greater than the other. We all have the ability and power to help each other without the abuse of authority. When the abuse of authority is added to the equation then someone will get hurt. We are very close in the ability to be there for one another. The way technology is advanced today, we are a close lived society. Phone calls, instant messaging and even social media, we can get in touch with each other very easily.
Mi taku oyasin.
We are all related.
-Lakota pipe-smoking ceremony
I agree, because based upon the Bible Adam and Eve were the first humans put on Earth. God created the first man and the first female. From there other humans were made. Although, God did create us but in the womb of the woman He created us. But they two were the first man put on this Earth, so technically we are all related. That is why I do agree and not only that but before the expansion of man, our origin was discovered in the same place. Even though bones of man were found all over the world, all continents were together at one point called Pangaea. So at one point, it was one big land and man was there. That’s why I believe we are all related.
Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble.
-Joseph Campbell
I agree with Joseph Campbell, because they all have some sort of Bible or book where they believe has guidelines to life. We believe Christ did come down to Earth at one point of time, because we believe in the time period of A.D. (After Death or Anno Domini) and B.C. (Before Christ). God and/or Jesus plays a role in any religion. Regardless if its Virgin Mary or The Holy Trinity. Not only that, but they all believe in an afterlife. Regardless if it is Heaven or Hell or even being Reincarnation.
In a world of peace and love music would be the universal language.
-Henry David Thoreau
Music is a soul captivating medium that everyone no matter where they are from can understand equally. Generally music gives people feelings that they share at any given moment. Music brings peace and love to everyone in the world. Music is a universal language because the harmony, lyrics, and rhythm it brings to individuals. Regardless the genre of the music, everyone has their favorite type of genre or style. Artist speak through their songs of how they feel, what is going on in their lives or others around them, or even to tell a simple story. No matter where you go music is playing in the background. Like a simple event like a conference or convention, or even in the elevator or a hotel lobby, music is being played in the background to ease the setting. Lyrics may not be included, but some form of music is playing because it brings peace and warm, comfort feeling. Music brings meaning where any language you speak you can understand.
Through songs we find out things about ourselves. We say, “Oh yeah. I’ve felt that way.”
-Lois Walder
Music can say the things we really want to but don’t have the words. Songs convey emotions we don’t always have the words for. Sometimes how we feel we can not express with our lips but understand with our ears. Dr. Dre, the famous rapper, producer and entrepreneur, really assisted my generation in finding how we felt with music with his invention of the Beats. Although, he sold Beats to Apple, Beats are well-known headphones that are used by everyone of a wide age range. The headphones are helpful in finding out about ourselves privately, without having everyone know what you are listening to without being judged. You may listen to something different from everyone around you. You may even sometimes say aloud, “Oh yeah. I’ve felt that way.” when you hear a lyric that the artist said. Instead of having others around you say, “Oh, you’re in your feelings. Change the song.” especially when you play your music aloud. So to avoid that you may put on your Beats or AirPods. Even in some of Dr. Dre’s songs he told stories where many could relate. Songs aren’t always meant to be pleasing but to also be relate able to the listeners.
Jazz came to America 300 years ago in chains.
-Paul Whiteman
Jazz is the emotions and feelings of those who were enslaved as a means of hope or just emotional display. Slaves would sing songs while working to by pass the time, for “entertainment”, motivation and for inspiration. Songs were used as tools to remember and communicate since majority could not read. Many slaves were brought to the New Orleans area. Coincidentally, New Orleans is said to be the birth place of Jazz. Jazz is broken into two types: spiritual and work songs. Jazz came a long way to where, African Americans were able to own their record label called Black Swan Records. Black Swan Records specialized in jazz and blues recordings. Not only that but, became the first company to record black classical musicians. Jazz went from songs like “Wade in the water” to “Take the ‘A’ Train”.
“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are gone, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.”
-Carson McCullers
Live life to the fullest and make a difference if you never do anything substantial no one is going to remember you. Don’t allow anything to stop you from fulfilling your dreams. Whatever you do, make it remember able. Regardless if you keep record of it or if you get someone’s attention that will recognize you for the things that you did. Even if you aren’t known now, you will be remembered once pass away. Someone will recognize you for your accomplishments, just as long as if you did something. Sometimes even keeping a small diary or riding random notes in a book, will be worth reading one day. Your grand-kids will one day want to read the things that you did whether if it was big or small. Even if it is something as little as donating to charity or giving back to the community, those things will always be priceless and worth a read. It doesn’t have to always be leaping over obstacles or boundaries. Not everyone can win a gold medal, but if you can win the gold of someone’s mind and heart then you’ve made something worth not forgetting.
“Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place.”
-Ice-T
Passion is basically a strong feeling. Love is the only thing that can control it. If not for love it would be a scary place. When someone becomes passionate, they are blind to what they do or hear or see. Sometimes becoming passionate can make you do bad things like commit a crime or even have greed. The thing about love is that it will make you stop and think. Think about the feelings of others, consider your actions and think twice before you do something. On some circumstances love isn’t something that is selfish, usually someone else or something is involved. Passion will motivate you to continue to do something. Passion will allow the world to keep spinning because even as little as having a job, more than likely the job that you have or want you are passionate in that subject matter. Those jobs that you want or already have are little pieces to this Earth that allows it to keep going round and round. Although, love can make “safer” because being empathetic or having sympathy really makes a difference. Love can change someone’s perspective on life.
“To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour”
-William Blake
Nothing is as big as seems and nothing is as small as it seems. What you may seem tiny maybe someone else entire existence. Existence and size is in the eye of the beholder. I believe heaven is real just as much as I believe hell is also. I believe no problem is too big or small for God. Our world is small compared to what God has planned for us or what he has already made. But we can only control or have authority over what we see which is in the palm of our hands. But time is on our sides because even though we can not go back in the past we can always start over. We can flip that hour glass over and start again, despite what the case may be.
Janaro, Richard Paul., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human: Humanities for the 21st Century. Longman, 2000.
“Dreams are private myths. Myths are public dreams.”
-Joseph Campbell
I agree with Joseph Campbell because dreams are stories that the brain tells during REM (rapid eye movement), but stories that only the individual knows and no other. That is what makes dreams private myths because they are stories that are personally told through the mind of the dreamer. Dreams are stories that can be told or shared with others. Dreams are events that occurred or made up images, or events. Dreams are private because they can only occur to that dreamer of the moment. Dreams can become myths through sharing with one dreamer with another. Once those dreams are shared they become public. Once something is shared with the public or from person to person it can turn into a myth. Myths are stories that are told from person to person, generation to generation, then later sometimes connecting pen and paper. Dreams can turn into folk tales that can turn into mythology. We aren’t sure if the myths are true or even if the dreams are true but we know somewhere someone experienced it. Myths are open to the public to be discussed that started from one individual which could’ve been a dreamer that wanted to expand his knowledge. His knowledge of asking, researching, and sharing his dream or experience that could’ve been true or made up from his imaginary. Although, the dreamer could’ve kept it to them-self, but decided to share it which caused others to share it from one person to another that turns into a myth.
“Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away.” -Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw is right when he made that statement because I don’t believe you are a hero if you need recognition for what you do. Heroes put themselves at risk for others and leave quietly when the job is done. Children usually come up with myths of “super heroes” like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. Heroes although don’t always need to wear a cap in my opinion. They are among us in regular work clothes or uniforms with no secret identity. Police officers, fire fighters, professors, army officers, mentors and even some of our peers can all be considered heroes. Individuals who rise to the occasion with or without being told to do make a change or a difference in someone’s life around them. Not all heroes need a key to the city at the end of the story. Sometimes “heroes” do need that signal call like Batman has for Gotham city. We have “911” as our emergency signal call for help. We do make myths of people walking through fire to rescue someone and walk out perfectly fine. In reality, can an individual walk through fire and survive with someone on their back? According to Altshuler and Janaro, “the hero is an archetype found in almost every culture; hence the label world myth.” In every culture there is a “hero”, but in my opinion heroes don’t need to wear caps.
“Don’t go backwards; you have already been there.”
-Ray Charles
I agree with Ray Charles because what you did is done. You can’t look back because that was the past. Why look back when you can’t fix what is done? Ray Charles was a legendary musician even with his exceptionality of being blind. He fought through and beat the odds that were in front of him. He kept pushing forward to get whatever it was right to the ear. His quote is an example of an excellent reminder that there is no need to reminisce on the past. What’s done is done and can’t be undone. Broaden your mind and explore new things instead of going back and trying to fix things that are already done. You may regret some decisions but you can only fix the present to make the future better. A time machine hasn’t been invented yet, so there is no way someone can go back into time. So you shouldn’t worry about what happened because no matter what happened it happened. You can’t focus on the past when the future is seconds away in front of you, while the present is the seconds that you are sitting in right now.
Janaro, Richard Paul., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human. Longman, 2011.
“Wonder, connected with a principle of rational curiosity, is the source of all knowledge and discovery.”
-Samuel Horsley
I agree with Samuel Horsley because without wonder what would the world be like today? Wonder pushed an unaccountable amount of people to explore, discovery, inquire knowledge and so much more. It even pushed you and myself to do the things that we are doing today. Just the simple fact of attending college, wonder motivated you to go into that field of study or even continue to purse that passion that you or I have. Behind every brilliant scientist, explorer, inventor or even college professor was once a wonder, that turned into curiosity, then an idea to unfold itself into a discovery or gained knowledge that made a difference. I, myself have many wonders that eager me to become curious. When I become curious I reach out into the world to find out or figure out. Perhaps me not becoming the next genius, I still find myself feeding my brain something that I did not know of before. All things are learned from curiosity. Without it, there is nothing you would never know anything new.
“Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.”
-Truman Capote
Needless to say I do believe God has written out our lives and destiny. Truman Capote does have a point though. I believe the first act is composed of birth and childhood. The second act consists of being an adolescent and a young adulthood. The third act is primarily made up of your adulthood and elder years. I think each “act” has its own highs and lows where it isn’t really good or bad. Every second of ones life is precious. Plays don’t always have a good beginning or end. Some plays are better than others. Regardless of the beginning, Script writers always know the ending outcome even before the curtains open. Just like God already knows what our ending is going to be turned out to be. It is all in the perspective of the person experiencing it or looking at it from the outside in. Some may believe the third act is the best part because you’re more than likely retired, relaxing and enjoying life. Some people may not even get a chance to live to get to the third act of life. The third act in the play called Life is the closing scene full of emotion that is jaw dropping.
“You miss all the fun if you obey all the rules.”
-Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn is right, although rules are made for a reason. Some may say rules are made to be broken. Others may say rules are made for our safety. Sometimes you have to take some risk in order to really live life, otherwise you’re just a programmed robot. Robots don’t have a mind or sense to know what to do besides what they are told. I think this quote needs to have a neutral balance because you need to have fun in life and obey the rules. It isn’t worth having fun but getting in trouble, neither is just obeying the rules and not enjoying life. We, humans are not robots because we aren’t programmed. We are each our own living beings with our own free wills. We have the ability to make our own choices, whether that be to follow the rules or to not follow them.
“The best art always seems effortless…”– Stephen Sondheim
I totally agree with Stephen Sondheim’s quote. Art and beauty are something that belongs to the eyes of the beholder. A piece of art can be the most beautiful thing you ever laid your eyes and it can range from a person, a canvas, a vehicle or even food. Although, beauty and art are very subjective, it is opinionated. What is worth millions to one can be worth nothing to another. For example, the picture above of the ocean and the sun set. Look how we can see and hear the waves effortlessly swaying and gliding among each other. To some eyes it is just an ocean and sun, to other eyes it is more. The picture itself is a beautiful captured scene that is in the eye of the beholder. The artistic angle of it can create so many moods just beautifully effortless.
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“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of science.” -Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was not the typical eye candy but he understood what we did not understand. We know him for his genius contribution to our science world. I believe his idea is stating that mystery is a thing of unprecedented beauty because it attracts you to learn more about it and encourages the mind to find out ways to figure out what the mystery is itself. Beauty and science can go hand in hand. Look at it like this: you see someone that you think is appealing to the eye, you dwell and wonder upon that individual, you go ahead and think of ways to approach that person, once you introduce yourself, you continue step by step to get to your final goal which is getting their number. With science, you have the scientific method. You make an observation, formulate a hypothesis, come up with an experiment, perform the experiment, accept or deny your hypothesis, and conclude your results. Both examples started off with something that was intriguing and made you question and wonder.
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many people travel city to city, state to state, country to country just to find something beautiful. A beautiful time to be exact. It does not have to be a beautiful person, a beautiful piece of art, a beautiful plate of food or even a beautiful artifact. Beauty is within. Not only in the eye of the beholder but beauty is something find inside yourself. A beautiful moment in time is just as precious as the gem within a necklace. No matter how precious something make look on from the outside a person will never find the beauty they seek out unless they find contentment and beauty within themselves. No matter where you go to find something beautiful, it will never be found unless you seek what is beautiful in yourself. Having a positive mindset for instance is more attractive than thinking something negative. If you think you are not going to have a good time, then more than likely your experience will be bad.
Janaro, R. P., & Altshuler, T. C. (2000). The art of being human: Humanities for the 21st century. New York: Longman.
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