Knowledge or Wisdom?
I chair the academic board of an Australian University College and at a recent board meeting we were discussing “the democratisation of knowledge”, which is a lovely little expression noting that information is now readily available to almost anyone. It’s simply true. I have been lecturing in class and said something like “that happened in 1827 – or was it 1828” and in less than 30 seconds I will have a student say, “Actually it was 1826 , the 4th of May 1826 to be precise – I’ve just checked on Google.” Mercifully most of my...
Read MoreQuotable: Marilynne Robinson – Gilead, take 2
Last week we looked at some quotes from Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer prize winning novel Gilead. The book is a fictional series of reflections by dying clergyman, John Ames, to his seven year old son. It is filled with wisdom, and is a celebration of life. Here are some more reflections from the book… I think the attempt to defend belief can unsettle it, in fact, because there is always an inadequacy in argument about ultimate things. Marilynne Robinson Any human face is a claim on you, because you can’t help but understand the singularity of it, the courage and loneliness...
Read MoreManaging Monday: Quotes for the start of a new year…
As we start a new year, here are some wise insights to reflect upon… Do something today that your future self will thank you for – Anon Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you – Anon The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new – Socrates And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand...
Read MoreManaging Monday with Mother Teresa – take 3
A final set of quotes from Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997). Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation working amongst the poorest of the poor, her life continues to inspire. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Mother Teresa God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. Mother Teresa Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. Mother Teresa The problem with our world is that we draw the circle of family too small. Mother...
Read MoreManaging Monday with Mother Teresa – take 2
Last week we started reflecting on some of the wisdom of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. A champion of the poor, here are a few more of her profound insights. If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Teresa I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. Mother Teresa Poverty is not made by God, it is created by you and I when we don’t share what we have. Mother Teresa Hope this is a special week for you…
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