A Miserable State of Affairs

I do not want power over men's emotions. I do not want power over men's thoughts. I do not want power over the actions of men. I want the power to alleviate human misery. 

But no power can alleviate the misery of those who want to be miserable.

The Watchman

"Some watch others to learn what to do, and some watch to learn what not to do." --Eric Hoffer in The Passionate State of Mind

And some do both.

A Double Bind

A definition of ignorant might be a person who is unaware that he is unaware.

The Conquest of Nature

"An animal cannot be a contemplative." --Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation.

We have conquered nature. Now we must conquer ourselves. 

It is the nature within us which is the greatest obstacle to realizing our full potential as human beings.

Too High a Price

Nietzsche's vanity cost him his sanity.

A Question of Morals

Moral degeneration is a downhill slide. Moral regeneration is an uphill battle.

A Despairing Situation

With the right understanding, it is impossible to despair. With the wrong understanding, it is inevitable.