# The painfully acquired wisdom that comes mainly with age and life experience thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 12, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466 "2003-12-12T00:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/21 "2003-12-12T13:12:45Z")
The morning after you die, the sun is still going to come up. The world owes you absolutely nothing. Listen more than you speak. Mind your own business. Let me repeat that - Mind your own business. Always keep $20 in your wallet. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/22 "2003-12-12T13:32:50Z")
When you have a hunch that that chick might fancy you, 9 times out of 10 the hunch is correct, so go for it. That 1 time out of 10 still hurts, though. Get over it. Dismiss paranoia. Be prepared to alter strongly held viewpoints. John Lennon really was making sense when he said “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Don’t hold onto childhood ambitions for the sake of them - how many other really important decisions would you trust a child to make? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/23 "2003-12-12T13:37:31Z")
If you avoid screwing with other people’s time, other people’s money, and other people’s people, you will avoid 85% of the most common problems in life. Whenever you’ve done something you regret, ask yourself “If I had it to do over, would I?” It’s amazing how many times the answer is “yes.” ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/24 "2003-12-12T13:40:46Z")
Don’t say “I’m sorry” if you don’t mean it. Don’t say “I forgive you” if you don’t mean it. Once “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” are both uttered, **the argument is over**. _Let it go_. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/25 "2003-12-12T13:42:06Z")
Once “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” are both uttered, the argument is over. Let it go. I really like that one - words to live by. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/26 "2003-12-12T13:52:38Z")
Don’t let someone try to convince you that your instincts are wrong. If you want to learn something, go and find a way to get more information about it. There’s no such thing as absolutely useless knowledge, because it’ll come in handy in one situation or another when you least expect it. Make reasonable goals for yourself, and work hard to achieve what you know you can do. Don’t let other people’s drama run your life. Try to avoid people who are prone to always have some sort of problem or issue that they complain about. They’re normally at least a little mentally unsafe, and they’re likely to drag you down with them. Take some time out for yourself every now and then and contemplate whether you feel you’re accomplishing what you want out of life. If not, rethink your lifestyle in accordance with what your goals and ambitions are. Either the lifestyle or the goals have to be changed. People who say mean things about you that you know aren’t true are often the ones who don’t feel good enough about themselves. Half the time, whatever they tell you is actually a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Popularity really doesn’t count for anything once you’re out of high school, but social skills are still important. Solving conflicts with people is better than avoidance of the problem itself. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/27 "2003-12-12T14:37:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by improbably blonde \* > \*\*My message of wisdom for today : > > An unpaid traffic ticket can lead to a suspended license, which makes you irrationally run from cops, which causes accidents, which leads to hit-and-run, which leads to more accidents, death and destruction, and a lifetime in jail and courtrooms until strapped into the chair. > > Oh, wait. That was a Simpson’s episode. \*\* Don’t laugh… there’s a lot of wisdom to be found in the Simpsons. My own contribution? Teachers, bosses, creditors, etc. don’t CARE why it isn’t turned in, finished, paid. They really aren’t interested in listening to your explanation, so just get the damned thing done . ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/28 "2003-12-12T14:40:26Z")
If you feel a sneeze coming on, stop shaving. I’ll add more when I learn something else. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/29 "2003-12-12T14:45:14Z")
Don’t be afraid of losing everything you have. Be afraid of losing what you are. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/30 "2003-12-12T15:28:08Z")
“Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you have to be with them! Sometimes it’s much healthier for you to leave them.” ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/31 "2003-12-12T15:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*… > > 2: The instant you informally loan a friend or acquaintenance any significant amount of money, you had best consider it a gift and if it is repaid, it’s a bonus. > > \*\* My dad used to say, “To give is better than to lend, and it costs about the same.” Incidentally, I agree 100% with everything you said, astro; I’d say you had it pegged. ---
**Author:** ![marup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@marup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marup)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/32 "2003-12-12T15:35:05Z")
Revenge is not sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/33 "2003-12-12T15:37:41Z")
Accept any assignment as if you’ve done it a hundred times before. Then go find out how to do it and give it your best. Chances are you will out-perform the bosses wildest expectations. Pay attenetion to babies. don’t just pich their cheeks and coo. Really look into their eyes and connect. I never knew you could communicate on such a deep level with a newborn until we had my daughter. Don’t do a job you hate. Don’t live in a city, state, country you hate. The money IS NOT WORTH IT! Scale back your expectations and do stuff you love and live somewhere that feeds your spirit. Don’t stop playing. I don’t think there is anything that keeps the mind more nimble than play. I have a child but the K’nex and the 120 piece marble run are mine. If your life is objectively good but you are intensely unhappy then go talk to somebody about it. Life is too short to live it feeling like crap all the time. Trophy wives, cars, houses and electronics are never worth it. They end up owning you. Explore an entirely new area of knowledge every year. Doens’t have to be significant. One year I learned how to crochet. If you have to be old you might as well be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/34 "2003-12-12T15:43:47Z")
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/35 "2003-12-12T15:48:57Z")
To thine ownself be true. I am responsible for my own actions and feelings. I am \*not[/] responsible for any other adult’s actions or feelings. Communicate. Listen Learn I don’t keep secrets, don’t ask me to. _or_ “Tell me no secrets, I’ll tell you no lies” _my Grandmother_ Everything has to be somewhere. Pick it up., even if you didn’t drop it. Put it away, even if you didn’t get it out. Tell those you love that you love them, EVERYDAY. Never look back, but don’t look too far forward either. LIVE today without regret. Teach at every opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/36 "2003-12-12T15:53:39Z")
Learn how to use apostrophes. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/37 "2003-12-12T16:02:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by robertliguori \* > \*\*If you feel a sneeze coming on, stop shaving. > \*\* …yeah, and stop peeing too. Words to live by. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_B.Phart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/38 "2003-12-12T16:34:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ParentalAdvisory \* > \*\*…yeah, and stop peeing too. > > Words to live by. \*\* You’re peeing while you’re shaving? - that’s a damn dangerous way of saving time in the mornings, what if you forget which hand is holding what? ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/39 "2003-12-12T16:42:57Z")
If you dig it, do it, if you really dig it, do it twice. Jim Croce ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466/40 "2003-12-12T16:54:07Z")
Life is difficult. Most things worth having take hard work, persistance and determination. You are the only person you are going to spend the rest of your life with. Cherish your loved ones while you have them. Be responsible for your own happiness, don’t be responsible for anyone else’s. Death is inevitable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-painfully-acquired-wisdom-that-comes-mainly-with-age-and-life-experience-thread/218466.md?page=3)