Thursday, May 31, 2012

Amor Fati

Amor fati is a Latin phrase loosely translating to "love of fate" or "love of one's fate". It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good. Moreover, it is characterized by an acceptance of the events or situations that occur in one's life.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Geometry

A more complete version of this quote reads: « mèdeis ageômetrètos eisitô mou tèn stegèn », which translates « let no one ignorant of geometry come under my roof ».

Monday, May 21, 2012

Argumentum ad Verecundiam

Authoritative argument (also known as appeal to authority or argumentum ad verecundiam) is a special type of inductive argument which often takes the form of a statistical syllogism.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Stressless and Carefree Existence

Once in Japan, a man came to the master swordsman, Yamaoka Tesshu. Tesshu was a Zen practicioner as well as being a calligrapher and master swordsman and well reknowned for his practice in all areas.

The man approached Yamaoka Tesshu and the conversation was as follows.

"May I ask you a question?"

"You may."

"I wish to learn of Zen."

"What for?"

"So that I may have a stress and carefree existence."

"That is what you want?"

"Yes."

"I cannot help you. I am Samurai, so I know there is a way of Zen in the path of the Samurai. I have a friend who is a merchant, and I know there is a way of Zen in the path of the merchant. But what you seek is the path of the fool, and I know nothing about that."

Be Happy You are Unfortunate:

‘You are unfortunate in my judgement, for you have never been unfortunate. You have passed through life with no antagonist to face you; no one will know what you were capable of, not even you yourself.’ For a man needs to be put to the test if he is to gain self-knowledge; only by trying does he learn what his capacities are.