Thomas Jefferson on Economics

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them, will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

Thomas Jefferson

Source: The Tao of Abundance
by Laurence G. Boldt
©1999 Laurence G. Boldt, p. 162
Penguin Compass

Flavia Weedn on Perseverence

If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.

Flavia Weedn
Flavia and the Dream Maker, © Flavia.com

Source: quotegarden.com

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil on Growing Up

Shades of Gray

When the world and I were young just yesterday.
Life was such a simple game a child could play.
It was easy then to tell
Right from wrong
Easy then to tell
Weak from strong,
When a man should stand and fight
Or just go along.

But today there is no day or night
Today there is no dark or light
Today there is no black or white
Only shades of gray.

I remember when the answers seemed so clear,
We had never lived with doubt or tasted fear.

It was easy then to tell
Truth from lies
Selling out
From compromise
Who to love and who to hate
The foolish from the wise.

But today there is no day or night
Today there is no dark or light
Today there is no black or white
Only shades of gray.

It was easy then to know
What was fair
When to keep
And when to share
How much to protect your heart
And how much to care.

But today there is no day or night
Today there is no dark or light
Today there is no black or white
Only shades of gray.

Farewell and thank you, Davy Jones.

From Monkees Headquarters
Words and Music by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
Copyright 1966 by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
6920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
All Rights Reserved
Lyrics from reprint of 1966 sheet music

Source: monkees.net

Chuang Tzu on Destiny

Obey your own destiny; it is often very difficult, but it is the only means of attaining serenity.

Chuang Tzu


Source:  The Tao of Abundance
by Laurence G. Boldt
©1999 Laurence G. Boldt, p. 143
Penguin Compass

Leo Burnett on Honesty

Regardless of the moral issue, dishonesty in advertising has proved very unprofitable.

Leo Burnett


Source: thinkexist.com

Leo Burnett on Communication

Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.


Leo Burnett


Source: thinkexist.com

Advertising Wisdom

It’s halftime. Both teams are in their locker room discussing what they can do to win this game in the second half.

It’s halftime in America, too. People are out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.

The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost everything. But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again.

I’ve seen a lot of tough eras, a lot of downturns in my life. And, times when we didn’t understand each other. It seems like we’ve lost our heart at times. When the fog of division, discord, and blame made it hard to see what lies ahead.

But after those trials, we all rallied around what was right, and acted as one. Because that’s what we do. We find a way through tough times, and if we can’t find a way, then we’ll make one.

All that matters now is what’s ahead. How do we come from behind? How do we come together? And, how do we win?

Detroit’s showing us it can be done. And, what’s true about them is true about all of us.

This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines

Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.
 
Chrysler Commercial featuring Clint Eastwood
Aired February 6, 2012
Weiden+Kennedy, written by Kevin Jones, Smith Henderson and Matthew Dickman
 
   
Source: Detroit Free Press

Betty White on Perspective

It isn't anything I accomplished; it just happened.

Betty White
In response to audience applause for turning 90 in January, 2012 on The Daily Show

Movie Wisdom

Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen): You're not the man I knew ten years ago.
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford): It's not the age, it's the mileage.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981
Written by Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas, and Philip Kaufman
Paramount Pictures

Bob Schieffer on Listening

All the stories I missed was when I was talking instead of listening.

Bob Schieffer
attributed by Tom Friedman

Stephen Colbert on Technology

No computer tells me what to do. When my Garmin GPS tells me to turn right I turn left - I haven't been home in five years.

On the new voice-command computer Monopoly game.

Stephen Colbert
The Colbert Report
Comedy Central

Goethe on Progress

The day is committed to error and floundering; success and achievement are matters of long range.

Goethe


Source: thinkexist.com

Etta James on American Music

I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.

Etta James


Source: quotesandpoem.com

Movie Wisdom

Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
A croupier hands Renault a pile of money.
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much.
[aloud]
Captain Renault: Everybody out at once!

Captain Renault (Claude Rains) closes Rick's Cafe Americain. 

Casablanca, 1942
Written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Murray Burnett, and Joan Alison
Warner Bros. Pictures

Source: imdb.com

Stephen Colbert on Traditions

Thanksgiving is a magical time of year when families across the country join together to raise America's obesity statistics. Personally, I love Thanksgiving traditions: watching football, making pumpkin pie, and saying the magic phrase that sends your aunt storming out of the dining room to sit in her car.

Stephen Colbert
The Colbert Report

Source: huffingtonpost.com

Wilbur Nesbit on Connection

Forever on Thanksgiving Day, The heart will find the pathway home.

Wilbur D. Nesbit

Source: quotegarden.com

Cicero on Gratitude

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

Cicero


Source: bellaonline.com

Steve Jobs on Perspective

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Steve Jobs
Stanford University commencement address, June 2005

Source: huffingtonpost.com