# Wise things people have told you **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 29, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537 "2013-08-29T22:32:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/81 "2013-09-01T00:47:48Z")
I have a tendency to be an workaholic. So much so that for much of my life, I have had more than one job at a time (in some memorable years, two full-time jobs at once, or one full-time and multiple part-time jobs). My dad said to me once “Maybe if you stop trying to work so much, you’ll figure out what you’re running from.” And “nobody ever said on their deathbed ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office.’” I’m not great about working less, but I am better about it than I used to be. And I have figured out some of what I was running from. (ironically, a lot of it had to do with him and his expectations of me). ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/82 "2013-09-01T01:11:10Z")
An old teacher once told me “The day you stop learning is the day you die.” I think of this every time I try to take on a new hobby or skill. Learning can be hard and discouraging, and I always feel so stupid and embarrassed at first. But then I realize that if I stop trying to challenge myself, I have resigned myself to being an old, dying fart. I can deal with being any of these things individually. But all three? No, never. Give me stupid and embarrassing any day. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/83 "2013-09-01T01:27:32Z")
You have to _ **BE** _ a friend, to _ **HAVE** _ a friend. (Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone is going to be a friend, _ **back** _. You have to ‘cull’ out the fakers, posers and ‘users’.) The most valuable thing a person can possess is ‘trust’. It can’t be bought, it has to be earned. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/84 "2013-09-01T03:30:59Z")
Take what you want, and pay for it. Aleister Crowley, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/85 "2013-09-01T19:13:59Z")
It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. How do you eat a herd of elephants? One bite at a time. Don’t pick your nose while driving a convertible. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/86 "2013-09-01T19:30:32Z")
From a Chief Bosun’s Mate: This is new line rated for 3,000 lbs. It’ll probably take 4,000 lbs, no problem. DON’T put 6,000 lbs on it! If you take the time to do it right the first time, you won’t have to find the time to do it over again. Never plead innocent. Plead guilty to a lesser offense. Never miss an opportunity to use a rest room. It might be longer than you think until you get another chance. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/87 "2013-09-02T00:47:30Z")
Knowledge speaks, but Wisdom listens - Jimi Hendrix Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson I’m an Optimist with a Pessimist’s vocabulary - Martha Plimpton, I think… ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/88 "2013-09-02T21:46:57Z")
Can’t remember where from; “There are no rules for grieving” This one’s for over 40s; “Never waste an erection or trust a fart” From dad “Always remember to keep your hands up” ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/89 "2013-09-03T04:48:42Z")
Remember that you are basically insecure with an overactive defense mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/90 "2013-09-03T16:43:36Z")
From this here board: “Learn to evaluate people by their actions, not their words or how they make you feel.” ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/91 "2013-09-03T18:08:53Z")
> [@indyvet](#): > > You will never have to explain anything you didn’t say. > \* > related sentiment\* > > I try never to pass up the opportunity to keep my mouth shut. > > When you tease a person, tease them about something they are good at, or that they like about themselves. If you can’t do that, the next best thing is to make fun of yourself (if you feel you must make fun of anybody.) Along the same lines, “never volunteer information” ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/92 "2013-09-03T23:48:36Z")
“Go where the love IS, not where it’s SUPPOSED to be.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/93 "2013-09-03T23:52:33Z")
My dad, on playing cards: “If you hold your cards where I can see them, I’m going to look.” On driving: “Watch out for old guys who drive with their hats on.” ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/94 "2013-09-04T02:10:33Z")
You’ve got to know when to hold them Know when to fold them Know when to walk away and Know when to run ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/95 "2013-09-04T03:57:12Z")
> [@indyvet](#): > > You will never have to explain anything you didn’t say. > \* > related sentiment\* > > I try never to pass up the opportunity to keep my mouth shut. I agree, and the way i like to phrase it is; “There’s a lot to be said for keeping your mouth shut.” Also, I had a gentleman tell me once when i was a young man (and thought the world was trying to keep me down), “You know… most of the unhappiness in life comes from unfulfilled expectations”. ---
**Author:** ![Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4af34b/32.png) [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/96 "2013-09-04T14:20:24Z")
Watch whose money you pick up - William S. Burroughs Beware of whores who say they don’t want money; the hell they don’t! What they mean is they want more money. - William S. Burroughs If you are doing business with a religious son of a bitch get it in writing! His word isn’t worth shit, not with the good lord telling him how to fuck you on the deal - William S. Burroughs There is a right easy way to do this and a wrong hard way. I’m lazy so I prefer the right easy way. You can do what you like. - Me to multiple trainees Look at those around you. Assume they will do something stupid and prepare for it. - Driver’s Ed instructor. \<–This advice saved my life at least once on the shop floor. If you are in a car never trust a cyclist or pedestrian. If you are a cyclist or pedestrian never trust a car. - Mrs. Zeke ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/97 "2013-09-04T14:38:06Z")
From my father: The only way you can avoid mourning is to never know anyone. Said when a friend of mine from high school took his own life. Those weren’t the exact words, but that was the sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/98 "2013-09-04T16:53:24Z")
from my dad: There’s no substitute for courtesy, kindness and good manners. from one of my first teachers: no matter what anyone says… spelling and neatness ALWAYS count. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/99 "2013-09-05T14:04:21Z")
> [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](#): > > Watch whose money you pick up - William S. Burroughs > > Beware of whores who say they don’t want money; the hell they don’t! What they mean is they want more money. - William S. Burroughs > > If you are doing business with a religious son of a bitch get it in writing! His word isn’t worth shit, not with the good lord telling him how to fuck you on the deal - William S. Burroughs > > There is a right easy way to do this and a wrong hard way. I’m lazy so I prefer the right easy way. You can do what you like. - Me to multiple trainees > > Look at those around you. Assume they will do something stupid and prepare for it. - Driver’s Ed instructor. \<–This advice saved my life at least once on the shop floor. > > If you are in a car never trust a cyclist or pedestrian. If you are a cyclist or pedestrian never trust a car. - Mrs. Zeke I liked all of these…but this group of quotes will literally save your life. SAVE. YOUR. LIFE. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537/100 "2013-09-05T14:53:29Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. That one’s awful dangerous, mate. I hear it a lot, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wise-things-people-have-told-you/667537.md?page=6)