Be wary of people who attempt to rationalize actions rather than justify them. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Any action can be rationalized, but only select actions can be justified. For something to be justified, it must be a just action; but a rationalization is little more than an excuse to do something.

For example, you can rationalize that it is o.k. to steal from a rich a$$hole. Through a step by step reasoning process it is possible to be rational in doing so. But it is not just to steal from the rich a$$hole. Rationalization...

Too often we set our goals too short for our capabilities, and often settle for less than we should. It is time to learn what our talents are and define our tastes so that we may get the most out of this life. But beware of the hidden talents and the unknown tastes. We can too easily close ourselves off to experiences by becoming too narrow in our pursuits of happiness.

But also we must also be aware to the possibility that we think of ourselves too highly and have too many tastes. For then we will never be satisfied and always be disappointed in ourselves.

We must...

Sometimes we fall upon moments of deep regret when we judge ourselves based on our past actions. But we are failures to our future selves when we live in the past. Nothing in the future will seem as good as it did in the past. Moments sour and the negativity eats at the core of the soul, but remember that everything which has a life span must perish. We must let our fate follow our past, but we must not mistake the future for the present. Let that be my warning to you on this fine evening of pondering!

The present is determined by our past, but our future is decided by our...

The greatest folly of humanity is found in the ways that people are educated. Individuals are seen as tools that are means to an end, and by swaying their yeas and nays through conditioning people can be used for self-serving means.

Thus, it is necessary to see the motive behind the actions of those in charge of educational policy. When the money-makers take charge of making the policies that determine how the youth is educated, then the point of education is no longer to create well-rounded citizens, but rather good herd animals. For the herd is the means to the pot of gold...

Your life is what you make out of it. Create for you life that which speaks from your soul! That is the wisdom that I share with you my brethren. That which you give brings reward. Seek reward and you will deserve the praise you shall receive!

When I ride the bus I try to uncover the mysteries of other's lives. What led them to this moment in life. Why the smile or why the frown? What brings their happiness or sadness? Everyone has their story and the mysteries of strangers can reveal secrets.

What ever happened to respect and common courtesy? As I have been forced to spend more time out in public lately, I have noticed that these things are sorely lacking in today's world. Libraries should be a place in which quiet should be respected. but as I sit and type this out in a library, the people next to me are talking about their past and future binge drinking escapades and another girl is b!tching about her worthless boyfriend to someone else on the other end of her cell phone.

My point is that there needs to be sanctuaries from this type of activity and that certain...

So, I have not been around the forum much lately because my schedule is kicking my ass. I am working as a cook full time at Whole Foods, and I am also in three of my final classes before I graduate in May--The History of Ancient Philosophy, a senior capstone on Nietzsche, and third semester of ancient Greek.

Not to mention, I am never home because I don't really have a home, so when I am on the forum, I am usually at a campus computer or on my phone---which is a total pain in the ass. So I try to help keep this place clean when I can, and hopefully I can find a little more free...

Life is like an onion. You bite into it too quickly and it fights back with tears and much discomfort. Learn to cook life until it is sweet and rewarding and enjoy its subtlties and flavors!

So I have decided that I spend way too much time on the bus, I may as well amuse myself by keeping a blog that is inspired by my surroundings and my reading. I am limited on how many characters I can use on my phone, I will be writing aphorisms.