A fellow of mediocre talent will remain a mediocrity, whether he travels or not; but one of superior talent (which without impiety I cannot deny that I possess) will go to seed if he always remains in the same place.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, classical composer and musician (1756–1791) It is true that travel broadens the MORE >
Natasha Josefowitz
Our Society
Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members.” Pearl S. Buck, American writer, novelist, Nobel Laureate (1892-1973) I would also add how civilization deals with minorities MORE >
In the Wrong
A man should never be ashamed to own that he is wrong, which is but saying in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” Alexander Pope, English poet (1688–1744) However, the opposite is often true: people feel less than when proven wrong; they must come to that conclusion on their own MORE >
The Law
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” Anatole France, French poet, journalist, novelist, Nobel laureate (1844–1924) I have heard this before and find it distasteful; it is ridiculing both the law and poor people.
Good Fiction
Good fiction creates empathy. A novel takes you somewhere and asks you to look through the eyes of another person, to live another life.” Barbara Kingsolver, American novelist, essayist, and poet (b. 1955) Indeed I have been all the characters of all the novels I have read and so have had many lives.
Deadlines
One forges one’s style on the terrible anvil of daily deadlines.” Émile Zola, French novelist, playwright and journalist (1840–1902) Deadlines have always made me anxious. This is why my publisher always has several of my columns in the hopper.
Science
I cannot stress often enough that what science is all about is not proving things to be true but proving them to be false.” Lawrence M. Krauss, American-Canadian theoretical physicist and cosmologist (b. 1954) Truth by elimination of the false takes time and patience.
Work
One day work is hard, and another day it is easy; but if I had waited for inspiration I am afraid I should have done nothing. The miner does not sit at the top of the shaft waiting for the coal to come bubbling up to the surface. One must go deep down, and work MORE >
Learn as You Go
There’s a wonderful line in a poem by Theodore Roethke which says “you learn by going where you have to go.” You can’t learn before you set out, can you? You go along the road and learn as you go.” Pamela L. Travers, Australian-British novelist, actress, journalist, and author of “Mary Poppins” (1899-1996) We have MORE >
Being Helpful
You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Ziglar, American motivational speaker, author (1926-2012) This is not about reciprocity; it is about feeling good being of service.