Right Attitudes

Inspirational Quotations #360

January 23, 2011 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

As gold is tested in four ways by rubbing, cutting, heating and beating – so a man should be tested by these four things: his renunciation, his conduct, his qualities and his actions.
—Chanakya Neeti

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.
—Rabindranath Tagore (Indian Hindu Polymath)

When you realize that suffering and discomfort are the call to inquiry, you may actually begin to look forward to uncomfortable feelings. You may even experience them as friends coming to show you what you have not yet investigated thoroughly enough.
—Byron Katie (American Speaker)

It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow that weigh a man down. For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given.—For the morrow we are told to trust.—It is not ours yet.
—George MacDonald (Scottish Christian Author)

Action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
—George Washington (American Head of State)

But for money and the need of it, there would not be half the friendship in the world. It is powerful for good if divinely used. Give it plenty of air and it is sweet as the hawthorn; shut it up and it cankers and breeds worms.
—George MacDonald (Scottish Christian Author)

Those born blind cannot see;|similarly blind are those in the grip of lust.|Proud men have no perception of evil; and|those bent on acquiring riches see no sin in their actions.
—Chanakya Neeti

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.
—Corrie Ten Boom (Dutch Jewish Humanist)

Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are.
—Malcolm Forbes (American Publisher)

The Wit & Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin: The Best 100 Maxims from “Poor Richard’s Almanack”

January 17, 2011 By Nagesh Belludi 8 Comments

It is the 305th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, author, and founding father.

At age 27, Benjamin Franklin began publishing “Poor Richard’s Almanack” under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders.”

Published annually for the next 26 years, the Almanack became widely successful. At the height of its popularity, the Almanack sold 10,000 copies a year, making it a best-seller in colonial America.

“Poor Richard’s Almanack” consisted of a hodgepodge of facts, weather forecasts, household hints, puzzles, historical tidbits, poems, and assorted amusements. However, what made the Almanack well known were the witty proverbs and maxims that Franklin included as fillers. The most famous of these maxims include, “Well done is better than well said,” “Haste makes waste,” and the oft misquoted “A penny saved is twopence dear.”

Benjamin Franklin sourced a good number of his maxims in the “Poor Richard’s Almanack” from Native American traditions, common legends and superstitions of his day, public speeches, and works of other published authors.

Maxims from Benjamin Franklin’s “Poor Richard’s Almanack”

'Poor Richard's Almanack' published by Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym Richard Saunders

Fools multiply folly.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The noblest question in the world is, What Good may I do in it?
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Pay what you owe, and you’ll know what’s your own.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

An ounce of wit that is bought, is worth a pound that is taught.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Hunger is the best pickle.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Reading makes a full Man, Meditation a profound Man,|discourse a clear Man.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Whate’er’s begun in anger ends in shame.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Fear to do ill, and you need fear naught else.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

A quarrelsome Man has no good Neighbors.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little enough. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If you desire many things, many things will seem few.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Well done is better than well said.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that sows thorns, should not go barefoot.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Work as if you were to live 100 years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Who is strong? He that can conquer his bad Habits.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Don’t go to the doctor with every distemper, nor to the lawyer with every quarrel, nor to the pot for every thirst.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Distrust & caution are the parents of security.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Avarice and Happiness never saw each other, how then shou’d they become acquainted.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Proclaim not all thou knowest, all thou owest, all thou hast, nor all thou canst.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful, and this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never, for a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Plough deep, while Sluggards sleep; And you shall have Corn, to sell and to keep.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Better is a little with content than much with contention.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

You may give a Man an Office, but you cannot give him Discretion.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Experience keeps a dear school; but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry, all things easy.—He that rises late must trot all day, and hall scarce overtake his business at night, while laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack’d, and never well mended.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Better slip with foot than tongue.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If you’d know the Value of Money, go and borrow some.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The Proud hate Pride—in others.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

God helps them that help themselves.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Have you somewhat to do tomorrow; do it today.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Wish not so much to live long as to live well.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Diligence overcomes Difficulties, Sloth makes them.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Would you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

An empty bag will not stand upright.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He’s a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Beware of him that is slow to anger: He is angry for some thing, and will not be pleased for nothing.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Humility makes great men twice honourable.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The Sting of a Reproach, is the Truth of it.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

How many observe Christ’s Birth-day! How few, his Precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Think of three Things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Virtue may not always make a Face handsome, but Vice will certainly make it ugly.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

To-morrow, every fault is to be amended; but that To-morrow never comes.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The things which hurt, instruct.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that’s content, hath enough; He that complains, has too much.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Necessity never made a good bargain.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

A great Talker may be no Fool, but he is one that relies on him.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Approve not of him who commends all you say.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

When the Well’s dry, we know the Worth of Water.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

They that won’t be counselled, can’t be helped.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Tell a miser he’s rich, and a woman she’s old, you’ll get no money of one, nor kindness of t’other.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Tell me my Faults, and mend your own. Men take more pains to mask than mend.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

A Temper to bear much, will have much to bear.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

If Man could have Half his Wishes, he would double his Troubles.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Lost time is never found again.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Want of Care does us more Damage than Want of Knowledge.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Hunger never saw bad bread.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

God helps them that help themselves.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Speak little, do much.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The Wolf sheds his Coat once a Year, his Disposition never.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Do not do what you would not have known.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Haste makes waste.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly need not be rich.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Half the Truth is often a great Lie.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Diligence is the mother of good luck.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

No gains without pains.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

There are lazy Minds as well as lazy Bodies.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Be slow in chusing a Friend, slower in changing.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

He that lives upon Hope, dies fasting.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

The Sun never repents of the good he does, nor does he ever demand a recompence.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Love, and be loved.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

What signifies your Patience, if you can’t find it when you want it.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Fish & visitors stink in 3 days.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Be neither silly, nor cunning, but wise.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

They who have nothing to be troubled at, will be troubled at nothing.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)

Franklin was a doyen of the self-improvement movement. His methods for self-mastery are worth taking a serious look at if you’re interested in getting better at anything in life. He was the unlikely father of self-help and his Autobiography (1793) remains a popular self-help book.

Inspirational Quotations #358

January 9, 2011 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
—Ronald Reagan (American Head of State)

Any act often repeated soon forms a habit; and habit allowed, steadily gains in strength. At first it may be but as the spider’s web, easily broken through, but if not resisted it soon binds us with chains of steel.
—Tryon Edwards (American Theologian)

The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.
—Eric Hoffer (American Philosopher)

Wise people may say what they will, but one passion is never cured by another.
—Earl of Chesterfield

Man is much more sensitive to the contempt of others than to self-contempt.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (German Philosopher, Scholar)

Men show their character in nothing more clearly than by what they think laughable.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet)

I see it only that thyself is here, and art and nature, hope and fate, friends, angels and the supreme being shall not be absent from the chamber where thou sittest.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Philosopher)

It is almost more important how a person takes his fate than what it is.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (German Philosopher)

There is absolutely nothing that you desire that you cannot achieve.
—Abraham Hicks

No matter how dull, or how mean, or how wise a man is, he feels that happiness is his indisputable right.
—Helen Keller (American Author)

Life has no smooth road for any of us; and in the bracing atmosphere of a high aim the very roughness stimulates the climber to steadier steps, till the legend, over steep ways to the stars” fulfils itself.”
—William Croswell Doane (American Anglican Hymn writer)

Inspirational Quotations for the New Year (#357)

January 1, 2011 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Happy New Year everybody, I hope this year brings peace, prosperity, and well-being.

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.” ? Old Irish toast

It is ever the invisible that is the object of our profoundest worship. With the lover it is not the seen but the unseen that he muses upon.
—Christian Nestell Bovee

Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (British Anglican Author)

Whoever you are, whatever your dream, you have to be strong in your head and strong in your heart. Be strong. There’s no quitting in the person who wants it bad enough.
—Carly Patterson (American Sportsperson)

In all living there is a certain narrowness of application which leads to breadth and power. We have to concentrate on a thing in order to master it. Then we must be broad enough not to be narrowed by our specialties.
—Ralph Washington Sockman

In the midst of global crises such as pollution, wars and famine, kindness may too easily be dismissed as a soft issue,” or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved. But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas—kindness toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering. Until we reflect basic kindness in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile. Simple kindness may be the most vital key to the riddle of how human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share.”
—Bo Lozoff (American Interfaith Writer)

Good actions ennoble us, and we are the sons of our own deeds.
—Miguel de Cervantes (Spanish Novelist)

The root of all difficulty and conflict lies in the mind; therefore, the solution to all difficulty and conflict lies in changing the mind.
—Kusan Sunim (Korean Buddhist Priest)

Inspirational Quotations from the Holy Bible [#356]

December 25, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

In observance of Christmas, I present teachings from the Holy Bible, the principal scripture in the Christian faith.

Merry Christmas! May you all have a day filled with peace and joy.

Jesus Christ status in La Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Christmas and the Season of Goodwill

Christmas is widely celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph, a Jewish couple in Palestine in the first century AD, was the Christ (from the Greek word Khrist?s meaning “the anointed,” or “the chosen one of God”.)

To be precise, in the Christian tradition, December 25 is the first of the twelve days of Christmas. Traditionally, this twelve-day Christmas celebration ends with the feast of “Epiphany,” held on January 6 or on the first Sunday after Christmas.

Over the years, Christmas has transformed into a secular holiday. Historians and religious scholars believe that the December date for the birth of Christ was set around the time of the winter solstice to fit in with pre-Christian pagan traditions of feasting during the occasion of the sun’s annual rebirth, in late December. Besides, the Church of Rome (now the Vatican) did not establish the festival as Christian until the middle of the fourth century.

Christmas Spirit in Action

Christmas Spirit in Action No other holiday boasts a richer variety of rituals, traditions, and customs. Christmas celebrations vary around the world in length and style. The Christians attend midnight or Christmas day Church services and set up a Tyrolean crib at home featuring the town of Bethlehem and the manger to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The season of good will is marked by exchange of gifts and greeting cards, sumptuous dinners, familiar hymns and songs, brightly lit trees, red-ribboned wreaths, ornaments and decorations, Santa Claus, and stockings. During the last few decades, the “Christmas shopping season” has become economically imperative as the time of new product introduction and hectic shopping.

The Holy Bible

The Bible (from the Greek word ta biblia, for “the books”) is a compilation of scripture in Judaism and the Christian faiths. It is the most widely read literature in the world.

The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains nearly all of the same writings as the Hebrew Bible; the New Testament is a collection of writings dating from after the life of Jesus. The New Testament includes the Gospels (the central message of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation for the faithful,) the Acts of the Apostles (the stories of the few years after Jesus’ death,) the Epistles (details of the Christian faith), and the book of Revelation (a vision for the end of time.)

Inspirational Quotations from the Christian Bible

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The entire law is summed up in a single command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

You cannot serve God and Mammon.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

He who attempts to resist the wave is swept away, but he who bends before it abides.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The waters wear the stones.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

The kingdom of God is within you.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
—The Holy Bible (Scripture in the Christian Faith)

Inspirational Quotations #355

December 19, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.
—Spanish Proverb

It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (American Poet)

Frozen in fear, you avoid responsibility because you think your experience is beyond your control. This stance keeps you from making decisions, solving problems, or going after what you want in life.
—David Emerald

Each of us is something of a schizophrenic personality, tragically divided against ourselves.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (American Civil Rights Leader)

One who helps us in difficult times should be considered as a relative, even if he is a stranger. One who hurts us, should be considered as a stranger, even if he is our relative. Though a disease resides in our body, it is harmful. But a medicinal plant that grows in a forest, saves lives.
—Hitopadesha

I sincerely believe that the word relationships is the key to the prospect of a decent world. It seems abundantly clear that every problem you will have-in your family, in your work, in our nation, or in this world-is essentially a matter of relationships, of interdependence.
—Clarence Francis (American Business Executive)

In hell, people starve because their hands are chained to six-foot-long chopsticks, too long to bring the rice to their mouths. Heaven is the same, only there, people feed each other.
—Vietnamese Proverb

Inspirational Quotations #354

December 11, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

One always has time enough, if one will apply it well.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Poet)

To commit adultery with God is the perfect experience for which the world was created.
—Sri Aurobindo (Indian Yogi, Nationalist)

Rely upon your own judgment; be true to your own conscience; follow the light that is within you; all outward lights are so many will-o’-the-wisps. There will be those who tell you that you are foolish; that your judgment is faulty; that your conscience is all awry, and that the light within you is darkness; but heed them not. If what they say is true, the sooner you, as a searcher of wisdom, find it out the better, and you can only make that discovery by bringing your powers to the test. Therefore, pursue your course bravely.
—James Allen

He that knows nothing, doubts nothing.
—Common Proverb

We need others. We need others to love and we need to be loved by them. There is no doubt that without it, we too, like the infant left alone, would cease to grow, cease to develop, choose madness and even death.
—Leo Buscaglia (American Motivational Speaker)

There is no wisdom save in truth. Truth is everlasting, but our ideas about truth are changeable. Only a little of the first fruits of wisdom, only a few fragments of the boundless heights, breadths and depths of truth, have I been able to gather.
—Martin Luther (German Protestant Theologian)

Before we can teach our children, we must understand and live the principles ourselves. It is vital that the child learn from our example that what we say and what we live are the same.
—Dwan J. Young

Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the achievement of it must inevitably leave him a prey to boredom.
—Bertrand A. Russell (British Philosopher)

Thou Shall Attend the Office Holiday Party

December 4, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The office holiday party may seem like a mandatory celebration. Perhaps it is not in your tradition to celebrate Christmas. May be you are introversive, do not enjoy partying, or you feel uneasy about being around many unfamiliar people. You might even dread interacting with coworkers who you are not immensely fond of.

Despite your reluctance, the office holiday party comes with an implied obligation to attend it and enjoy it. Generally, companies consider the holiday party as a morale- and camaraderie-building occasion, not just as a mere ritual. Therefore, your management will take notice if you do not attend and may deem you negligent or arrogant if you ignore the office holiday party.

Unless you have a perfectly compelling reason—not an excuse—not to, you should partake in this celebration. It pays to attend the office holiday party, attempt to like it, exchange gifts, and make the most of it.

Great Opportunity to be “Seen”

As you move up the corporate ladder, one vital skill for your success is to be on familiar terms with the influential managers in your organization. The art of forming coalitions and winning the support is more about “who knows you” and “what they know about you” than about “who you know.” The most effective way of earning this recognition is showing up where the action is, “being there” and acting the part. For this very reason, the office holiday party is a great networking opportunity for you to introduce yourself to peers and management with whom you would not normally interact.

Office Holiday Party Etiquette

A word on propriety for the organizers: do not call the holiday party a “Christmas Party” and alienate employees who may not celebrate Christmas. The term “holiday party” is more inclusive.
Attend the party. Do not arrive too late or leave too early. You need not stay for the length of the party.
The holiday party is not a social occasion. Even if the party has a festive theme and setting, it is still in the professional context. Dress appropriately and conduct yourself professionally. Do not eat excessively or get drunk. Do not pass judgment, exchange inappropriate comments and jokes, or deride other guests.
Be Seen. Do not spend all your time hanging around familiar people. Mingle and introduce yourself to as many other guests as you can. Make sure you are “seen” by everybody important. Attempt to enjoy the party and make the most of it.
Bring a thoughtful and practical gift for the gift exchange ritual. Stay within the prescribed guidelines for buying gifts.
See my articles on how to start a conversation, how to help people pursue a conversation, how to introduce people to one another, and how to remember names.

The Winning Idea: Attend and enjoy the office party

Professional visibility and career success is often about fitting in and being visible to the influential managers and peers. Unless you have a perfectly compelling reason not to, you should partake in the office holiday party. Consider it a career advancement exercise, mingle with everybody, and enjoy it.

Wisdom from The Talmud (Inspirational Quotations #353)

December 2, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi 2 Comments

In observance of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, I present wisdom from the Talmud, a sacred text of the Jewish faith.

Hanukkah, “Festival of Lights”

This year, the eight-day Hanukkah festival began at sunset on December 1 and concludes on December 9. Hanukkah was established in 165 BCE by the warrior-leader Judah Maccabee to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following a past desecration of the temple by invaders. Hanukkah (‘Dedication’ in Hebrew) is also known as the “Festival of Dedication,” or the “Festival of Lights.”

Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah by kindling the lights of a nine-branched candlestick called the ‘Menorah‘. They kindle one light on the first night, two on the second night and so on. Each night, they also kindle the ninth light, the ‘Shamash‘, for kindling the others. The Shamash is usually higher or lower than the other eight in the Menorah.

The Talmud

Wisdom from the Talmud, Inspirational Quotations The word Talmud is short for ‘Talmud Torah,’ which means “study of the Torah” in Hebrew. The Torah is the Hebrew term for the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) The Talmud is composed of several volumes of rabbinical discussions about the interpretation of the Biblical text related to Jewish history, philosophy, ethics, and customs—the meaning and conduct of life, in general.

The central part of the Talmud is the Mishnah, a record of the core teachings of Jewish faith that were previously preserved only orally. Surrounding the Mishnah is the Gemara, the interpretation and commentaries of the Mishnah. The Talmud has no single author. Rather, it is a collection of several volumes, to which Jewish scholars have added their accumulated knowledge over the course of time since about 220 CE.

For an introduction to the significance and the development of the Talmud, I recommend the excellent video documentary, “The Talmud” (available on NetFlix.)

The world’s most recognized dictum, the “golden rule,” is based in the Talmud: “Do not unto others that which you would not have them do unto you. That is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.”

29 Inspirational Teachings from The Talmud

First correct thyself, then correct others.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Sinful thoughts are even more dangerous than sin itself.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

No Israelite is allowed to lend usuriously to a non-Israelite.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Learn first and philosophize afterwards.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

As a tree is known by its fruit, so man by his works.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

A miser is as wicked as an idolater.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Even for the rebuilding of the Temple the instruction of the children must not be interrupted.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

A dream that is not interpreted is like a letter that has not been opened.
—The Talmud (Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith)

Inspirational Quotations by Mark Twain (#352)

November 30, 2010 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Quotations by Mark Twain (nom de plume of Samuel Langhorne Clemens)

It’s the 175th birthday of one of America’s most famous writers, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his nom de plume, Mark Twain. He was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. Mark Twain studied up to the fifth grade and quit school when his father died. He supported his family first as a typesetter and later as a riverboat captain until the Civil War broke out in 1861. He then headed west, worked as a miner, and eventually became a journalist. By 1866, Mark Twain had gained national fame as a humorist and travel writer.

Today, Mark Twain is much celebrated for, among many works, three novels that are often used as academic texts: “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” (1876), “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1885), and “Pudd’nhead Wilson” (1894), all of which are set in the Mississippi valley. Mark Twain’s writings are characterized by his natural wit, social criticism, and a keen understanding of human nature. Mark Twain toured widely as a renowned public speaker and continued to write until his death of a heart attack on April 21, 1910.

Inspirational Quotations by Mark Twain

Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn’t. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it—and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again – and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

Lord save us all from… a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

Go to bed early, get up early—this is wise.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

Praise is well, compliment is well, but affection-that is the last and most precious reward that any man can win, whether by character or achievement.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

Nothing that grieves us can be called little: by the eternal laws of proportion, a child’s loss of a doll and a king’s loss of a crown are events of the same size.
—Mark Twain (American Humorist)

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Inspirational Quotations by Mark Twain