“Life in Quotes"
Interpreting and
discussing quotes
about life and
developing your
own life philosophy
Created for Student Support
Services participants
Troy University; Troy, AL 36082
Objectives
• To encourage students to think purposely and
critically about life
• To introduce students to some well-known thinkers,
ethicists, and philosophers
• To offer students points of reference to support
impromptu writing and speech challenges
• To expand students‟ general knowledge
• To encourage students to engage in thoughtful
discussions
Terms
Related Vocabulary
The Thinker Statue – a man struggling internally with intellectual concepts and surveying his doctrinal
beliefs. Such trepidation -- intellectual, ethical, and passionate preoccupation -- characterizes the life of
persons involved in the process of critical thought. Picture Source: yahoo.com
What is “Life”? Different responses
• The period during which something is functional (as
between birth and death)
• The instant in which one is conceived or the instant in
which one realizes he is alive (debate)
• Energy or ability to move and be one’s human self
Can you think of some other words or ways to define “life”?
• Freedom (liberty to pursue success in life)
• Success (achievement of a great desire or power)
• Love (passion and compassion for life and ideals)
• Joy (a spirit of happiness or pleasure)
• Wisdom (accumulated knowledge of life)
• God (Creator of life or Model for living)
What is a “Life Quote”?
• Quote: the exact words spoken or
written by someone
• A Life Quote is the exact words that
someone writes or speaks specifically on
the subject of “life.”
• A Life Quote is also a philosophical
statement that someone writes or speaks
on the subject of “life.”
Why study life quotes?
To help you develop your
personal philosophy or
value system so that you can
consistently make ethical
choices for yourself and
understand the purpose for
your life.
So, what is “philosophy”
What is “philosophy”?
Definitions of philosophy:
“Philosophy is a Greek word, taken
from phileîn, which means “to love,"
and sophía, "wisdom"
• Philosophy is an Appreciation for WISDOM.
• Wisdom = Truth + Judgment = Insight
Source: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIC_enUS225US225&defl=en&q=define:philosophy&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
Many Branches of Philosophy
Philosophical study is the search for a Wise, Logical Truth Upon Which
to Base Ethical Practices. Arguments and Disagreements are to be
expected as people will not agree on one Truth. Image: Yahoo.com
What is “ethics”?
• Ethics is “the
philosophical study of
moral values and Virtually every field of
rules.” study, discipline or
institution has its own
formal set of ethics.
Most individuals have
• Ethics is the process of their own set of ethics
or values, though
assessing conduct. those values may be
influenced by other
humans.
• Ethics = Standards
Sources: http: ethicscoreboard.com and
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF&rlz=1T4GGIC_
enUS225US225&q=define%3aethics
Analogies of Life
• Many philosophers make
philosophical statements in the
form of analogies.
• Analogies are comparisons.
• The purpose of such analogies is
to give the hearer of the analogy
an image or idea comparable to
human life. The analogy may
require the reader to think
figuratively about life.
A Popular Life Analogy . . .
“Life is like a what?!?”
“My mama always
said, „Life is like a
box of chocolate. You
never know what
you‟re gonna‟ get.‟”
Image: Forest Gump. 8 October 2008
Write your life
analogy quote
Try writing your own analogy
1. Life is as secure as .... uncovered eyes in a bat cave.
2. Life is about as funny as a... an initiated knock-knock
joke with no one to ask
3. Life is as good as ... “who‟s there?”
a piece of cake is to a colony of hungry ants.
4. Human Life is as important to the
earth as . . .
healthy marrow is to the a bone.
Great thinkers?
Visions and
Important
Possibilities for
thinkers . . .
Life . . .
and their
thoughts Optimists or Pessimists?
about “Life” Male or Female?
Religious or Non-Religious?
Socrates (469 – 399 B.C.)
Socrates is described as the “first great moral
philosopher of Western Civilization” (3).
• a very controversial figure because of his strong
political views and his influence on the young
people of Athens.
• sentenced to death in 399 B. C. after being tried and
accused of “corrupting the youth and interfering
with the religion of the city.”
(Source: http://www.philosophypages.com)
• a masterful debater who could think quickly and
logically.
• Had a student, Plato, who later recorded many of
Socrates‟ masterful dialogues with his students.
Note about Socrate‟s behavior:
Plato described Socrates as “calm and reflective, even
as Socrates stayed in prison awaiting execution.
Why so calm, Socrates?
• Socrates, like other great thinkers, died because his
philosophies challenged “status quo” thinking.
• “Status Quo” thinking is thinking that has not changed
for a long time and that is designed to keep old ways of
life current.
• Socrates’ life is important . . . It shows that people
become afraid of others who think differently or who
want to change the status quo. (Can you think of a
situation in which people have express such fear? )
(Slave Trade; Holocaust; American Revolution; Politics)
• Therefore, it takes great courage to try to change
people’s minds or voice a new idea.
Why so calm, Socrates?
• Socrates, as wise as he was, expected people to look
hard at him, question him, and even fear him. He
probably wanted them to scrutinize him.
Therefore, this famous Socratic
quote should not surprise anyone.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
• Note: Socrates spoke these words at this trial, which ended in his
receiving the death penalty. Socrates had the option of choosing
life in prison, but chose to die instead of live confined.
Why do you think Socrates chose to die?
Possibly he preferred death over living life with others telling him
how to think.
Fear of change . . .
Question: Can you think of ways that some people
have behaved when they heard a new philosophy or
ethical theory that challenged their existing thoughts or
the status quo?
• Anxiety/Depression/hypersensitivity
• Preoccupation (obsessive thoughts of the deceased or of the past)
-- Sentimental/Nostalgic ideals (“The good ole’ days”)
• Stagnation (inactivity)
• Disobedience to the Law (anarchy)
• Threats or Cries for Violence
• Violence (aggression) / Mob violence
Philosophers know . . .
• Many philosophers are so wise that they are prophetic.
• Many know so much about human tendencies because
they have observed human behavior / psychology.
• Many philosophers have become “martyrs,” for they
risked their own lives in order to help change the lives of
others.
• Question: Other than Socrates, can you think of a
person who risked his or her life in order to
publicize his or her philosophies about life?
Explain.
Life Quote -- Revolutionary Spirit
Ideally, revolution yields profound change.
Quote 1
“These are the times that try
men's souls.”
Quote 2
“The World is my country, all
mankind are my brethren, and
to do good is my religion.”
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quotes – Patriotism/Liberty
Quote: “I know
not the course
others may take,
but give me liberty
or give me death.”-
Patrick Henry (March 1775)
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quote – Unity, Democracy
& Emancipation
“As I would not
be a slave,
so I would not
be a master.”
Abraham Lincoln, 16th
U. S. president,
assassinated April 15,
1865.
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quotes – Martyr / Equality
“I have a dream
today.” Martin Luther King
(August 1963)
American Civil Rights icon,
assassinated April 4, 1968
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quotes –Religion/Race
Malcolm X
(Malik Shabazz)
Nation of Islam
leader, Icon, and
black nationalist,
assassinated in a
mosque meeting
February 21, 1965
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quote – Spiritual Life
Jesus Christ, whose
ethnicity remains a
mystery to many,
crucified 26 to 36 B.C.
after being betrayed by
one of his disciples.
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quote – Civil Disobedience
Gandhi became a leader in a complex struggle known as the
Indian Campaign for Home Rule. He launched his movement
of non-violent resistance to Great Britain.A demonstration
against the Rowlatt Acts resulted in a massacre of Indians at
Amritsar by British soldiers.
In 1920, when the British government failed to make amends,
Gandhi proclaimed an organized campaign of non-
cooperation. Indians in public office resigned, government
agencies such as courts of law were boycotted, and Indian
children were withdrawn from government schools.
Throughout India, streets were blocked by squatting Indians
who refused to rise even when beaten by police. Gandhi was
arrested, but the British were soon forced to release him.
Gandhi‟s teachings of passive resistance and civil
disobedience inspired the world and leaders such as Martin
Luther King, Jr. Gandhi was shot to death in a public forum.
“You should be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Source:
http://www.megaessays.com/essay_search/indian_campaign_home.html;
Images: yahoo.com
Life Quote: Secular Proverb
“Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
A proverb advising the tactic of caution and non-
aggression, backed up by the ability to do violence if
required. Senator John McCain alluded to this quote
during a recent, televised presidential debate.
Quote Origin
• The widespread use of this proverb began with
American president Theodore Roosevelt. In a speech
in Chicago in April 1903, he said:
• There is a homely old adage which runs: 'Speak softly
and carry and big stick; you will go far.' If the
American nation will speak softly, and yet build and
keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly
efficient navy, the Munroe Doctrine will go far.
• The proverb is sometimes cited as being of African
origin . . . If it truly was an 'old adage' in 1903 it ought to
be easy to find earlier citations of it, but I can find none.
It is certainly possible that Roosevelt coined the Teddy Roosevelt
phrase himself.
Images: yahoo.com
Life quotes – Women as Activist
Activism – working to make change occur
Alice Walker, author of the acclaimed novel,
The Color Purpose Images: yahoo.com
Life Quote – Activist Women
“Do not wait for
leaders; do it alone,
person to person.”
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa established the
Missionaries of Charity- which
was to be the centre of all her
activities with its branches
spread in many parts of the
country . . . Mother Teresa's
efforts and her dedication
were recognized all over the
world and she was awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Images: yahoo.com
Life Quotes – Contemporary
“If you're walking
“We cannot down the right path
forever hide the and you're willing to
truth about keep walking,
ourselves, from eventually you'll
make progress.”
ourselves.”
Senator John
Senator Barack
McCain Obama
Images: yahoo.com
Final Quote . . . All Life
“Can't We All Just Get Along?” -- Rodney King, 1991
Images: yahoo.com
The End . . .
• Remember to complete your seminar
evaluation form and submit it after
viewing this presentation.
• Make suggestions on the form for future
workshops you desire presented.
• Enjoy your learning experience here at
Troy University.