# Words to live by **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 28, 2001, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241 "2001-02-28T17:33:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/1 "2001-02-28T17:33:04Z")
All your live you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you’re not good enough or strong enough or talented enough, they’ll say you’re the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. They will tell you NO, a thousand times no until all the nos become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. They will tel you . And you will tell them **YES**. Your life is a series of what everyone says about you, and what you say about yourself So say YES. [sub]I got this from a Nike ad several years ago, and put it in my purse and on my desk wall. I swear this got me at least one job, and helped me get out of a bad relationship. YMMV[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/2 "2001-02-28T17:37:03Z")
I can say “yes” in 27 languages [winking lewdly]. ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/3 "2001-02-28T17:41:03Z")
From my dad, when I was debating staying at a job that tormented me or moving on to something else: You can replace money, friends, and things. You can never replace time. Don’t waste it. You spend too much time in one day at work to be unhappy in it. This from a man who got his packaging engineering degree, a good job at GM, and then realized he hated it and quit to become the poor (but happy) contractor he is today. ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/4 "2001-03-01T02:20:40Z")
Two things: I saw this only once on a bumper sticker of all places, “Start a revolution, love and accept your own body” The second thing that hit me hard was on ‘American History X’ “What are you doing in your life that has helped make things better?” ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/5 "2001-03-01T07:06:22Z")
It is better to die on one’s feet than to live on one’s knees. To call a man a thief gives him the right to be one. Winter teaches a naked woman how to knit. Never eat oysters when you’re lonely. ---
**Author:** ![Emperor\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@Emperor\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emperor_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/6 "2001-03-01T07:28:47Z")
“It’s okay to enjoy something, even if it’s only for a little while” I got this from an episode of “Malcom in the Middle”. Not the most sterling of sources, but it still stuck a chord with me never the less. And word that I live by, but wish I didn’t: “Don’t do today what you can put off until tommorow” ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/7 "2001-03-01T07:31:11Z")
As long as you’re firing on all eight cylinders it doesn’t matter if your timing’s a little off. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/8 "2001-03-01T07:37:17Z")
In my photo album/scrap book: **"If I knew then what I know now I’d still make all the same stupid mistakes."** ---
**Author:** ![Alonist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Alonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/9 "2001-03-01T07:43:34Z")
Image is nothing. Thirst is everything. Obey your thirst. “Winter teaches a naked woman how to knit”- that’s profound… :^o * * * Always panic **first** : there won’t be time later. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/10 "2001-03-01T08:15:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **It is better to die on one’s feet than to live on one’s knees.** This could actually be taken in a few different ways (and I’m not thinking of anything dirty! :P) … I’d argue I do try to live on my knees. But anyway… It’s better to regret what you have done than regret what you have not done. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/11 "2001-03-01T13:36:30Z")
My mother had a mantra, oft repeated to us while growing up, that I didn’t fully appreciate until I had a wife and some kids of my own. I find myself repeating the same thing to them quite frequently, because so many little problems would be avoided: THINK before you do things. ---
**Author:** ![Eohippus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Eohippus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eohippus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/12 "2001-03-01T13:53:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **It is better to die on one’s feet than to live on one’s knees.** **Zenster** , the topic is words to **live** by, so I’d have to say, “It is better to live on one’s feet than to die, altogether.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/13 "2001-03-01T14:14:53Z")
When I saw this thread, I recalled two poems that have meant a great deal to me: – Shel Silverstein’s “Listen to the Mustn’ts” – Rudyard Kipling’s “If” Other words to live by that have been useful: – Go before you leave the house. – Don’t spit into the wind. – Don’t play cards with people you don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/14 "2001-03-01T14:28:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alonicist \* > \*\*“Winter teaches a naked woman how to knit” Winter teaches a naked woman how to **freeze.** A **knitting class** teaches her how to knit. Provided she is given the wool and the needles. Which is why I’m a social democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Alonist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@Alonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/15 "2001-03-01T15:28:40Z")
I’ll let you blame Zenster for that. (People who call themselves social Democrats confuse me…does that mean they’re Republicans when they’re alone?) ---
**Author:** ![Erika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/47e85d/32.png) [@Erika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erika)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/16 "2001-03-01T15:47:57Z")
A couple of thoughts after we spoke. You can always use your Dad or Mom as an excuse to not do something you do not want to. Suspect you may not but it is available for you always. You do not have to continue your communication with [scary boyfriend’s name removed] or anyone else if it gets too heavy or if it does not get too heavy. You do not have to change your mind just because someone has finally seen the light, turned on the light or got blinded by the light. You are your own person and in charge of you, no one else. You are a woman and smart as dirt and its OK to prove that to whomever you please. Its also OK to be humble and defer when you feel like it. Don’t mean to gang up on anyone but you are in charge and right now your stated objective of reflecting on whatever is going on in your life is a fine idea. You owe nothing to no one but [you]. That doesn’t mean you should be a jerk about it but you also don’t have to put up with any guff from anyone… I love you, Dad P.S. Hang in there and this to shall pass. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/17 "2001-03-01T16:06:56Z")
It is much easier to attract bees with honey than with vinegar. Smile. A liar and a thief are generally one in the same. Keep your flak jacket buttoned up. It is often easier to obtain forgiveness than permission. Any unreasonable regulation can be overcome with a sufficiently good plan. Trust in Allah, but tie your camel. Never turn down free food, free beer, free money, or free sex. Never make a bet you might lose. Don’t let your mouth write checks your body can’t cash. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Be consise, be consise, be consise. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/18 "2001-03-01T17:12:46Z")
If you want to, you’ll find a million ways. If you don’t want to, you’ll find a million excuses. WORK WITH WHAT YOU GOT. Not with what you had, what you think you will have, or what you feel you should have. Everybody’s life has problems all the time. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2001, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/19 "2001-03-02T00:39:12Z")
I once waxed poetic and wrote down about three dozen of these that I came up with in one day. Then I lost the list. I remember Treat others like your superiors, never forgetting that they’re not. Awards are given for effort, not the other way around. There were more and better, alas… ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2001, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241/20 "2001-03-02T01:07:37Z")
“You cannot kill time without wounding eternity.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-to-live-by/56241.md?page=2)