Thought for Today

Biography lends to death a new terror.

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.

Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing.

I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability.

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you.

To recommend thrift to the poor is both grotesque & insulting. It is like advising a man who is starving to eat less.

Oscar Wilde

A stranger enters a village & immediately looks for the Sufi master to ask advice. He says, “I’m thinking of moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?”
And the Sufi master replies “What can you tell me about the people who live where you came from?”
“Ah,” says the visitor angrily “they are terrible people. They are robbers, cheats & liars. They stab each other in the back.”
“Well now” says the Sufi master “Isn’t that a coincidence? That’s exactly what they’re like here.”
So the man departs the village & is never seen again.
Soon, another stranger enters the village & he too seeks out the Sufi master for advice. He says “I’m thinking about moving to live in this village. What can you tell me about the people who live here?”
And the Sufi master replies “What can you tell me about the people who live where you come from?”
“Ah” says the visitor in fond remembrance, “they are wonderful people. They’re kind, gentle & compassionate. They look after each other.”
“Well now” says the Sufi master. “Isn’t that a coincidence? That’s exactly what they’re like here.”

**

Three blind men find themselves in the presence of the Great Elephant. Each, trembling with fear & awe, stumble forward & reach out their hands to discover its nature for themselves. One takes hold of the tail, one a leg, one a tusk. And each is overcome with joy at having directly discovered the nature of the Great Elephant.

The blind man holding the tail announces, ‘The Great Elephant is a broom that cleanses & sweeps all before it.”

The blind man holding the leg is surprised, & protests, “No, the Great Elephant is a magnificent pillar towering above us, guarding us & keeping us safe.”

The blind man holding the tusk is astonished & shouts “No, you’re both wrong. The Great Elephant is a plough that furrows the earth that we may grow crops & have plenty.”

And they fell to fighting & there was no peace in the land.