Knowledge is not for knowing: knowledge is for cutting.
Michel FoucaultRead
Good habits are not made on birthdays, nor Christian character at the new year. The vision may dawn, the dream may waken, the heart may leap with a new inspiration on some mountain-top, but the test, the triumph, is at the foot of the mountain, on the level plain. The workshop of character is every-day life. The uneventful and commonplace hour is where the battle is won or lost.
Interpretation
Good habits and character are formed through daily actions, not just special occasions.
This quote emphasizes that true growth in character and habits comes from our everyday experiences rather than momentary inspiration or celebration. While significant moments may provide motivation, it is the routine of daily life—filled with mundane tasks and challenges—that truly shapes our character and determines our success.
In practice
During a motivational speech at a conference, to inspire attendees to develop good habits.
Knowledge is not for knowing: knowledge is for cutting.
Vengeance taken will often tear the heart and torment the conscience.
There is a third silent party to all our bargains. The nature and soul of things takes on itself the guaranty of the fulfillment of every contract, so that honest service cannot come to loss. If you serve an ungrateful master, serve him the more. Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is withholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer.
Oh,Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
Asking the proper question is the central action of transformation- in fairy tales, in analysis, and in individuation. The key question causes germination of consciousness. The properly shaped question always emanates from an essential curiosity about what stands behind. Questions are the keys that cause the secret doors of the psyche to swing open.
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