in any event

Not every possible act is necessary nor has the same probability of performance or occurrence as another. And though not every past act was necessary, each is evidence it was possible.

beyond the limits of cause

Physics has ˝causing˝, life ˝making˝. Applying ˝causing˝ to life activities compels a necessity that does not abide freedom that is the complement of choice and decision, the operational characteristics of life. ˝Cause˝ has no choice, ˝make˝ does.

yes, no, and maybe

In business dealings, remember this: yes is yes, no is no, and maybe is no unless it becomes yes.

no secrets in the afterlife

There are no secrets in the afterlife. You will be known in a way you are not known now.

matching within and without

There are truths within us and without us. When these truths match we are whole.

Secret match the truths without

meanness

Meanness, born of an ill heart, never weaned from its mother, paid for once with an entire life, with dishonest ledger has but one aim ~ to wreck, ruin, or annihilate.

balthasar gracian: a reading's afterthought

There is a clear distinction between choices of right and wrong that pervasively dissimulating complications can only disturb. The more variables and subtleties of deceit and heartless pre-eminence of self-interest and advantage sought among a people, the more craft required to perform right, let alone the slender tensile interior strength required to incline to it.

Percipient cunning, commanding appropriate oblique measures with care and employing attentive, distracting charm, can be just as necessary to perform right as it is used by villainy to mock it. Application is different, as are the results, in one act or many, over time or an instant, delivering on occassion the bad to hell with finesse while serving heaven to the good with grace.

nothing is lost

What I lose is not lost to God.

degree of exposure

When you're at the pinnacle of success, you have 360 degree exposure. Of course, that's not the same degree of exposure you have at the bottom of the barrel.

little things

Little things have a magnitude disproportionate to themselves. And in such lies greatness.

a father's love

I have found that much that I do that I identify myself with is done for my children. They are the edifice upon which I raise my efforts, and yet they are to the world’s eye, at best, an inconspicuous foundation to all I do and am. I do not trumpet my love, but my devotion to my children is deep. I believe this is typical of fatherhood: the oblique expression of love for children to whom the father is deeply committed.

go ahead

Standing on nothing, nothing is lost if a step is taken.

made by belief

We are what we believe, not what we believe we are.

acquiring new strenghts

Disciple: one who learns under another's discipline. To be taught and trained requires giving up freedoms to acquire new strengths.

nature

I was asked, 'What is nature?' I replied, 'Nature is intelligence without an I.'

an act of kindness

An act of kindness is equal to an eternity of friendship.

shilling trust

Whatever a man's distinction, be they breeding, education, drive, charm, or entrusted responsibilities, they may be given too much esteem and account a man too well. Such distinctions can lead to unwarranted regard. Consider the apostles. Eleven of the twelve never suspected their treasurer of treachery.

spared the incompatible

Don't be concerned about being rejected; you've just been spared the company of the incompatible.

misers begging

How absurd ~ the misers of mercy begging Heaven's gifts.

answers to a prayer

[a true story]

There was once a man deeply troubled in love who earnestly asked Heaven to send him the highest angel to help. Then one night an angel came. ¨I am he¨, the angel said. The angel showed this man a vision ~ among others so real ~ of a young man and woman seated at table writing. Standing over them were another young man and woman watching. The angel said, ¨Do as you see. With the woman you love, write all the things you each privately and publicly want and need. Have with you others who know you both. They will insure nothing is left out.¨ Embarrassed, this man asked, ¨Even our most intimate wants and needs?¨ ¨Yes,¨ replied the angel, ¨Then exchange your writings.¨
. . . . .

possessing an instrument

Never confuse the possession of an instrument ~ tool, body, or mind ~ with the ability to use it. All instruments require mastery, and mastery is acquired by the application of one's life to it.

how a story is told

When events are the result of lies, duplicities, and deceptions, they become complicated stories to tell. They require much fore-thought, organization and effort to explain. Honesty, truth and integrity may have their mysteries, but the stories that result are always straight-forward and simple.

excellence

I was asked, 'What is excellence?' I replied, 'Excellence is where intent and actions are equal, uniform and commensurate vectors achieving an outcome that is good or beautiful to the elevation of life.'

scratching the head in wonder

Reckoning by their impatience, I am slow to learn the lessons others wish to teach me. But by and by I master their lessons to often discover that those who taught me have yet to learn the lessons they teach.