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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2375 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for October 17, 2025

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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Some time ago (years?) either here or on reddit (on the motte or ssc) someone had posted about daily affirmations inspirational/motivational quotes that their mother packed into their school lunch. These passages seemed to have a profound impact on their life, even if received with eye rolls at the time (C'mon mom, don't be so lame/cringe).

They were (all? mostly?) quotes from an athlete (not Yogi Berra). I really thought they were down to earth and insightful/deep, but I can't find them or the athlete in question anymore.

So, daily quote thread. For your kids, for your self, friends, enemies. Do they work? Any good ones to share?

If you're looking for motivational sports quotes, look no further than John Wooden. For those unfamiliar with the Wizard of Westwood, imagine if Mr. Rogers coached basketball. Quotes by John Wooden (Author of Wooden) https://share.google/6MP6IwmcK6yWPTzkb

Some favorites:

"Never make excuses. You're friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them."

"If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?"

"Players with fight never lose a game, they just run out of time."

I particularly like returning to Wooden because of how amazingly wholesome he was outside of sports. A WWII veteran and devout Christian, his wife of 52 years was the only woman he ever kissed.

this was it, thank you!

One must avoid not only the useless actions, but also the useless thoughts. -- Marcus Aurelius according to my notes.

If nothing matters, what do I chose to do?

"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.” - Heinlein

Life is not a highschool exam; you don't have to solve it on your own.

"The cup is already broken" https://www.themotte.org/comment/216921?context=3#context

the fear was always worse than the reality

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

What is true is already so. Owning up to it doesn't make it worse. Not being open about it doesn't make it go away. And because it's true, it is what is there to be interacted with. Anything untrue isn't there to be lived. People can stand what is true, for they are already enduring it.

"Nobody 'makes you mad.' Nobody 'makes' you do anything. Don't make excuses for how you choose to feel and what you choose to do."

t. my mom (paraphrased)

As a kid I hated it, but as I became an adult I realized she was so very, very right. I'm endlessly amazed at how very many people age 30+ still blame others for their own emotions and choices.

I remind my kids of this frequently, and my wife occasionally. Very important to maintain an internal locus of control, especially in such a highly externalizing society.

Sage advice is what I look back upon to think "Yeah, sure would've been good if I had listened.".

It's never drilled into you with the sledgehammer it deserves.

"Never take life advice from someone who smokes."

That's not really a quote; I made it up. But you deserve some kind of response.

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