The late Japanese puzzlemaker Maki Kaji expresses [the process of solving a puzzle] in beautifully succinct and poetic way:
? → !
Bafflement, wrestling, solution! That is the arc of puzzling— as well as much of art and life itself. (Side note: Has there ever been more brilliantly designed punctuation than the question mark turns and mystery. The exclamation point—so assertive and aggressive and final!)
The earth belongs… to the living. The dead have neither powers nor rights over it.
In an overwhelming attempt to capture memories, people have forgotten to make memories.
You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.
One thing seems more and more evident to me now — people’s basic character does not change over the years … Far from improving them, success usually accentuates their faults or short-comings. The brilliant guys at school often turn out to be not so brilliant once they are out in the world. If you disliked or despised certain lads in your class you will dislike them even more when they become financiers, statesmen or five star generals. Life forces us to learn a few lessons, but not necessarily to grow.
Preparation is never wasted, regardless of outcome.
If you don’t know where you are, you probably don’t know who you are.
Running one mile has more in common with running a marathon than sitting at home.
Investing $100 has more in common with being a millionaire than being broke.
Writing one sentence has more in common with writing a book than never writing one.
It always feels small in the beginning and the big goals seem far away. It's easy to talk yourself out of the early attempts because they feel kind of meaningless.
But every race starts with one step. Every fortune starts with a small deposit. Every book begins as one sentence.
The real question is not "What is my current position?" but rather, "What is my current trajectory?" Doing nothing builds nothing. Put yourself on the path to something better. Start small, but make sure you start.
He who does not enjoy solitude will not love freedom.
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.