When I see this thread, I think that “honesty is the best policy” is my motto, but I think maybe I’m confusing policies with mottos.
When in danger,
or in doubt
Run in Circles,
scream and shout.
Oh, so now it begins with the Heinlein quotes.
“In a family argument, if it turns out that you are right, apologize immediately!” – RAH
Stranger
“What has, gets”
I think I’ve distorted it, but also shortened it. It means, how you are now will bring on more of the same (be good(true) and bring on good, be bad(untrue) and suffer the same).
I didn’t come up with this one, but it fits:
Wait two weeks.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
—Benjamin Franklin
Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
Life is too short to drink cheap beer.
That’s one of my mottos, and as far as I’m concerned he didn’t take guff from anyone. He lived and died on his own terms, and his ashes will be shot out of a huge cannon just as his wishes requested. Also from HST, though not quite a motto as an inspirational cry:
Though the motto I most live by is this:
The more you live by this, the farther you will go. Just don’t be afraid to take risks.
Ah, now here’s one that fits what I was talking about upthread. Courtesy Stephen Fry:
“I’d rather be a cheerful terrier constantly running into a brick wall than a snarling mastiff giving everything an eye of doubt.”
“My naked weapon is out!”
drapes a sheet over Loopydude’s naked weapon. Drops a folded pillowcase on top of that. Piles a couple of hand towels over the whole thing
If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.
“Show some fucking adaptability”
-Sgt. Bobby Shaftoe
I remember this one having a big impact on me: “If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead.” -Gelett Burgess
Also, since I can be such a contrarian: “Whatever it is, I’m against it.” (sung by Groucho Marx, Horse Feathers, lyric perhaps by Harry Ruby)
“Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead.”
I take mine from Little Big Man:
Some days the magic works. Some days, it doesn’t.
“Yea, dost thou fall upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit…”
Back in 1992 or 1993 I developed an interest in heraldry. I devised my own coat of arms, and chose a line from Psalms as my motto:
Or zarua latzadiq, ul’yishrei lev simchah.
(Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.)
If you don’t want to know the answer, don’t ask the question from my father
and also Actually, it does matter, and you probably do care derived from Gallagher.
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig.
And
My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just to enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.
-Thornton Wilder
Excellent.
I often fall back on:
“Just one goddamned thing after another”
But for inspiration I always go back to
“Memento Mori” or some other bit of Puritanical sunshine to remind me that
“This, too, shall pass”