Cheats never prosper.

The Golden Rule

Treat others as you would like others to treat you.

Bullies love this rule. They don't follow it, but they are protected by the rule from retribution.

A better rule would be "Treat others as they treat you"

Bullies get what they deserve, and nice people are treated nicely.

"It's freedom of speech"

Or, do unto others before they do it to you.

Yes.

"All you need is love."

(But I need a whole lot more.)

I actually loved that quote from Tolstoi. :rage:

Edit: I also disagree it's untrue actually. The point is that happy families share a set characteristics but each unhappy family has their own reason for being unhappy. Happy families laugh, treat each other with respect, love each other, show interest, etc.

Unhappy families might be unhappy by lacking a single one or even because of reasons outside of their control. So each "reason" is unique.

"practice makes perfect"

I don't like it because there's no such thing as perfection.

I much prefer the Dutch version, which translates closer to "practice begets art" with "art" in the sense of "craftsmanship".

There is the idea that 'family' is a naturally happy arrangement. I suppose in many cases it is, though 'happiness' in human affairs tends to be fleeting. A happy family today might be an unhappy family tomorrow.

I agree with your take on practice making perfection.

Hey, here's another one: True or False? This was quoted in an article about keeping the Parisian booksellers in place during the Olympics. Why book stalls on the street would pose a threat to security is beyond me.

"Anything that degrades culture shortens the paths that lead to servitude." Albert Camus

A happy family today might be an unhappy family tomorrow. — BC

Yes, agree with this.

"Anything that degrades culture shortens the paths that lead to servitude." Albert Camus — BC

Too vague to really mean anything, I guess? The article you refer to includes book stalls as "culture" but maybe it's just another shop? Never seen zoning laws, temporary or otherwise, as an attack on culture.

And how do you degrade culture? Outright book burnings seems rather obvious. And if it's particular or systemic? Pulling down racist statues was a hot topic. I'm not a fan of destroying heritage but rather would want to put it in context. But then a lot of people didn't and I'm not sure they were wrong.

The article you refer to includes book stalls as "culture" but maybe it's just another shop? — Benkei

Yes. Book sellers are, after all, engaged in business. They are not unique 'culture agents'. None the less, one may be very fond of the shops. Business, after all, is as much a part of Parisian culture as the Louvre.

A book store sells "cultural goods" in the same way a record store, an art store, or a haute couture store does. Presumably Parisians who peruse the various specialist book stalls and buy a book every now and then are consuming culture. Presumably people who peruse the pages of Amazon.com and buy a book (new or used) every now and then are also consuming culture.

I have never been to Paris and so have no experience of book stall culture. Their temporary closure was "for security" at the up-coming Olympic events. The Olympics are both culture and business -- probably more business than culture.

"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

It's not always true that it's better to stay in a difficult situation than to venture out there in the unknown because it could be worse. If you have become comfortable in a situation where you have to deal with a toxic person, it is worth trying out something else because the flip side is, you could find something better.

"Make America Great Again"