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Hero For Christ

Analects



What is an Analect?

The original and the literary definition of analect (from the Greek, analektos - to gather together) is an anthology of brief excerpts from diverse longer works. However, in philosophy, an analect is one of a large set of guidelines for daily activities, which, when considered together, outline a particular philosophical outlook.

The advantage of analects is that they make abstract ideas concrete and immediate.

Analects can have a profound and immediate impact on people's lives, because they can be applied directly.

The most famous analects were composed by the Chinese philosopher Confucius (Kong Tzu), and by his followers. However many other philosophers and religious figures have used analects to a lesser extent.

Analects are similar to proverbs and parables, which also make abstract philosophies more concrete. However, proverbs are pieces of advice designed to impart wisdom, and parables are metaphors that explain abstract ideas by analogy, whereas analects are instructions that can be followed without further interpretation.

Kitoba's Analects

(10/6/07)
  • Neither pass up the opportunity to do an easy good deed; nor ever commit a pointless crime or cruelty.
    (5/29/07)
  • Never tailgate a hearse.
    (3/29/07)
  • Every drumbeat has a resting point within it. If you find the resting place, you can play drums all night without getting tired. If not, you'll be worn out after half an hour.
    I overheard this piece of advice from a professional drummer, whose name I've since forgotten. I believe it can be generalized to other activities as well.
    (1/15/07)
  • Faith is an action.
    It is more a general attitude towards God and the world than it is a particular set of beliefs, or a synonym for belief itself.

  • Love is an action.
    It is more of a "calling" than something you feel, more something you live than something you possess.
    (12/9/06)
  • Never neglect an opportunity to tell the people that you love that you love them.
    You never know which chance might be your last.

  • Spend at least a little time each day working on something of true personal or social importance.
    Time goes fast, and otherwise all you get is older.

  • Empathy is the root of all morality.
    The ability to identify yourself with others is the foundation of human goodness.

  • "Marriage is more like a good steady job than winning the lottery"
    (Richard Schuldenfrei)

  • Your values are only as good as your actions.
    The majority of evil actions are committed by good people

  • Persistance is more important than talent.
    But vision is more important than either.

    (2005)
  • If it doesn't impact your life on a daily basis, than it's not a valid philosophy
    Or you don't really understand it

  • Reducing the quantity and variety of projects you are engaged in can increase the utility and effectiveness of the ones you complete
    Doing too much is sometimes worse than doing too little

  • Reducing the quantity and variety of goals you have can increase the utility and effectiveness of the goals you retain
    Having too many is sometimes worse than having too few

  • Reducing the quantity and variety of objects you have can increase the utility and effectiveness of the objects you keep
    Having too much is sometimes worse than having too little

  • If you can't conquer your vices, then try to manage them in the way that causes the least harm and distress to others...
    ...or to yourself

  • To gain a measure of personal control over the evil in the world, accept personal responsibility for it, and locate your personal complicity within it
    "Ged's Law"

  • The secret to happiness is to want the same things for yourself as God wants for you...
    ...and to be open and openminded about what those might be.

  • You cannot change people's fundamental nature, but you can affect how that nature is experienced and expressed.

  • Raise your children within the framework of an cross-generational extended family
    If you don't have one handy, then build a surrogate one

  • Many organizations lose their way by becoming better and better at things that are less and less central to their chief purpose
    That's how bureaucracy sustains itself

  • Tell each other "I love you" each and every day
    If you neglect that, you'll neglect other things as well (John Sunami, advice for newlyweds)

  • Anything worth doing is worth doing badly
    Corollary: Anything worth doing is worth doing over

  • "The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth."
    (Niels Bohr)

  • Don't put your children on psychotropic drugs...
    ...no matter what their school tells you

  • "Every headline in the newspaper is a story about philosophy, because it is about what people believe, and how they act on their beliefs."
    (Richard Shuldenfrei)

  • You can get anything you want, but you can't get everything you want.
    And you pay for everything you get.

  • You aren't really committed to a value until you've had to sacrifice something significant for it.
    Otherwise it's not a value --it's a convenience.

  • No long term plan can be successful unless some significant portion of it can be implemented immediately.
    An overly complex plan that relies on specific set of (non-present) conditions or resources (such as winning the lottery) is really just a way of delaying the "moment of truth" for a dream or a project.

  • Always make the most humane choice.
    And always place genuine face-to-face human interaction above other activities.

  • In the event of some disaster or catastrophe, first avoid making it worse.
    Next, start taking concrete steps towards fixing the damage

  • Effective action is a mediation between a focus on the larger values and the immediate steps that progress in that direction

  • There are no such things as good and bad people, only good and bad actions.
    To be a better person, take better actions.

  • If you have a small audience for a performance, or a small group of friends for a party, try to force them all into a small enclosed space. If you can, get rid of any extra chairs.
    It will build a sense of excitement and comaraderie.

  • If you've had trouble bringing yourself to work on a certain task then try doing it for just fifteen minutes one night before bed.
    Once you've "broken the seal" it may be easier to complete the task the next day

  • Finding the right questions is more important that agreeing on the same answers...
    ...as long as you remember to keep asking

  • Avoid having more than one television in your home
    Television is a passive entertainment, but at least when there is only one television it can be a communal, shared experience for the household. When there are multiple televisions, the potential is for the members of the household to become increasingly isolated and divided, each having an experience not shared by the others.

  • If you have the same values, having different methods shouldn't be a problem
    If it is, then you may not actually have the same values

  • Face conflicts directly to avoid festering tensions
    This is particularly important when dealing with people who you expect to remain part of your life for an extended period of time

  • Don't equate your feelings and your emotions
    Sometimes you may have an emotion that you may not consciously "feel." So don't beat yourself up if you don't feel sad at a funeral, or be too quick to issue a denial if people tell you that you seem angry or depressed

  • You can make a friend of almost anyone, if you take a genuine interest in her or him and what she or he considers important.
    Something I learned from Dale Carnegie

  • Buying organic food is a triple blessing: Better in taste, better for health, better for the planet
    Maybe that's why it costs three times as much

  • If you want to be a good teacher, you must first be a revolutionary
    In education you either support or oppose the status quo --and the status quo is never in the interests of the next generation.

  • Pick one day a week to do without your vices (such as drinking, smoking, etcetera) and your conveniences (your computer, your cell phone, etcetera)
    This keeps you from becoming overly dependent by reminding you that you can do without whatever it is. You don't have to pick the same day for each thing, but it is important to be consistent.

  • When hosting a party, serve a large variety of foods in small dishes, and refill them often. Serve only foods that you yourself enjoy.
    The variety of foods ensures that there will be something for each guest's tastes. By using small dishes and refilling them often, you demonstrate your concern for your guests' welfare. The necessity of refilling the bowls also gives you an excuse to circulate around the party and interact with all the different guests. By choosing foods you like, you can enjoy the party leftovers and avoid waste after everything is over.

  • To understand yourself better, pay more attention to your dreams.
    Anyone can remember their dreams if they take enough effort. Keeping a dream journal can help.
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