Brojne moje izreke već se godinama citiraju diljem svijeta i lako se mogu pronaći na internetu (dovoljno je u tražilicu upisati: Eraldo Banovac quotes). U knjizi Reasonably Through Life (2019.) sabrao sam gotovo 400 vlastitih izreka, nastalih kroz promišljanja o temama koje me zanimaju — od filozofskih pitanja i prolaznosti vremena do ljudske prirode, mudrosti, prijateljstva, znanja, ideja, rješavanja problema, liderstva i upravljanja, mentoriranja, recenziranja, obrazovanja itd. Izreke su razvrstane po tematskim cjelinama i namijenjene svima koji žele na trenutak zastati, promisliti i pronaći nadahnuće za neka od važnijih pitanja života.
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Many of my sayings have been cited around the world for years and can be easily found online (simply enter Eraldo Banovac quotes in your search engine). In the book Reasonably Through Life (2019), I compiled nearly 400 of my own sayings — the result of personal reflections on topics that interest me, ranging from philosophical questions and the passage of time to human nature, wisdom, friendship, knowledge, ideas, problem-solving, leadership and management, mentoring, peer review, education, and more. The sayings are organized into thematic sections and are intended for anyone who wishes to pause for a moment, reflect, and find inspiration in some of life’s important questions.
Link na knjigu Reasonably Through Life / Link to the book Reasonably Through Life:
https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Through-Life-diligent-certainly/dp/1092742719
Recenzija knjige Reasonably Through Life:
"Nitko nije rođen da preoblikuje svijet, već da mu doda svoj djelić humanosti"... Zapravo, knjiga "Razumno kroz život" Eralda Banovca jest mala knjiga mudrosti, vrijedna koliko i cijeli niz svezaka. Posvećena je istini života, a izreke u njoj mogu postati stvarni vodič za ljudsko djelovanje. Čitatelj u ovoj knjizi može pronaći odgovor na gotovo svaki životni problem, temeljen na pozitivnoj psihologiji i filozofiji (metafizici, ontologiji, spoznaji i aksiologiji). Kritičko-refleksivni odnos prema svijetu predstavlja Eraldovu stvaralačku metodu. U njegovu djelu isprepliću se racionalizam (naglasak na razumu kao izvoru znanja) i empirizam (naglasak na spoznajnim dokazima temeljenim na osjetilnom iskustvu). To je idealan spoj Aristotelove "teorijske, praktične i poetske filozofije". Antropocentričnost je obilježje ove knjige, u kojoj etika ("moralna filozofija") otkriva bit ljudskog ponašanja, sreće, sudbine, smisla života i slobodne volje u cjelini. Proučavanje ovih misli doprinosi usmjerenosti prema istini, dobru, ljepoti i društvenosti. Zato bismo Banovčeve izreke mogli nazvati krilima, zvijezdama, iskrama, grimiznim cvjetovima mudrosti. Svakako, svaki intelektualac obdaren razumom nastoji težiti boljem životu. Upravo će buduća Banovčeva "civilizacija znanja", utemeljena na intelektualnoj poštenosti i "savjesnom umu" (A. F. Losev), biti sposobna opravdati dobro. Recenzija: I. Pechonkina; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46031164-reasonably-through-life
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Reasonably Through Life book review:
No man is born to change the world, but just to add a piece of humanity to it"... Actually, "Reasonably Through Life" by Eraldo Banovac is a little book of wisdom, which is equal to a lot of vols. It's devoted to the truth of life and these maxims can become a real guide to human action. A reader is able to find an answer to every problem of life in this book, based on Positive Psychology and Philosophy (metaphysics, ontology, epistemology and axiology). Critical-reflective relevance to the world is Eraldo's creative method. There are both rationalism (the emphasis on reasoning as a source of knowledge) and empiricism (the emphasis on observational evidence via sensory experience as the source of knowledge) in his work. It's an ideal combination of Aristotelian "theoretical, practical and poetic philosophy". Anthropocentricity is characteristic of this book, where ethics ("moral philosophy") reveals the essence of human behavior, happiness, destiny, meaning of life, free will on the whole. The study of the sayings contributes to the focus on truth, goodness, beauty and to socialization. That's why we could call Eraldo's sayings the wings, the stars, the sparks, the scarlet flowers of wisdom. Surely every intellectual human being possessed of reason tries to seek a better life. It's Banovac's future "civilization of knowledge", founded on intellectual honesty and "conscientious mind" (A.F.Losev) will be able to justify goodness. Review: I. Pechonkina; https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46031164-reasonably-through-life
Sayings from Eraldo Banovac
© 2019 Eraldo Banovac – Sva prava pridržana. Izreke u nastavku su citirane diljem svijeta i objavljene u knjizi Reasonably Through Life (2019). Smiju se slobodno citirati isključivo uz navođenje autora na sljedeći način: “Izreka” – Eraldo Banovac
Zabranjena je komercijalna upotreba te navođenje izreka bez jasno navedenog imena i prezimena autora.
🗺️ EN
© 2019 Eraldo Banovac – All rights reserved. The sayings below have been quoted worldwide and were published in the book Reasonably Through Life (2019). They may be freely cited only with proper attribution, as follows: “Quotation” – Eraldo Banovac
Commercial use and quoting without clearly stating the author’s full name are strictly prohibited.
Miscellaneous
"No man is born to change the world, but just to add a piece of humanity to it."
"To become strong, analyze yourself first. You must detect your weaknesses to overcome them."
"Thinking differently is key to improvement."
"Be prepared to change yourself if you think there is a need to change your environment."
"The meaning of man's existence is not to dominate over others, but to better humanity."
"Speaking the truth is the main attribute of a pure hearted person."
"There are roads where people go, and where they should arrive is their mission."
"Inner peace comes from a clear conscience."
"Walking down a certain road is the best method to realize how challenging it could be."
"If you want to have a strong structure, build the foundations the right way."
"Giving up is easy, persevering is more difficult, and achieving a result is the most difficult."
"The true problem of old age is a young spirit being locked in an enfeebled body."
"People should not be judged by origin, affluence or spoken words, but primarily by their deeds."
"Being able to endure is sometimes the key to survival."
"Regardfulness is the minimum expression of decency."
“There are two types of sages: sages who tell us what we should do and sages who tell us what we shouldn’t do.”
"An ideal world inhabited by carefree people is nothing more than a utopia."
“A completely satisfied person arises after the realization of a long dreamed goal.”
"Art is the most creative result of the human mind."
"Just look at the sky when the rainbow appears and all the richness of colors will fascinate you completely."
"The power of positive thinking is vital for maintaining happiness, good health and longevity."
"One can impress me with pure honesty or with a brilliant mind."
"The strictest judges are ignorant people."
"It is absolutely certain that we must act to protect nature much more efficiently than ever before. Tomorrow – when mankind will step forward to a totally uncertain future – will be too late."
"In real life, the truth is a rarity, while lies are common place."
"The wishes of an honest man do not stretch beyond what he undoubtedly deserves."
"What does the future look like? I don't know how to answer this question, but for the bettering of man's future, I would like for a civilization of knowledge to exist on our planet in the not too distant future."
"Regarding quality, the following rule is very important: do each activity right at the first time with the aim of saving money and time. Regardless of the process under consideration, the activities that were carried out badly may cause repetitions with considerable additional costs."
"Impressive technological development makes us capable of measuring almost everything, but measurement error problems still remain."
"Programming is quite difficult – if you make a mistake, a bug will bother you for the rest of the day."
"Automation is truly an important fact of industrial development."
"Don't think you can act perfectly. A perfect person doesn't exist. Always strive to give your best effort, and that's it."
"There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk. People cannot change the things that have already happened."
"A person who is too proud in love will suffer from the devastating bitterness in the end."
"Continuously feeling superior is a characteristic of immaturity."
"The best advice will come from the person who has no personal interest in the matter."
"Only the simplest of facts can be accepted as an undisputed truth."
"Be careful about financial offers that often come by email. Before you respond to such an offer, ask yourself: do I really need a new problem?"
"Telling the truth is less demanding than telling a lie."
"Never lie. Firstly, you will be caught in the lie sooner or later. Secondly, count on problems when repairing the consequences of the lie. Therefore, always tell the truth no matter how unpleasant it is."
"A lie distorts the image of reality. It is a delusion of the human mind which can disrupt an individual's sense of what is morally right or wrong."
"A free man does not do what must be done, but what should be done."
"People usually consider an active and proactive approach as a human virtue. However, sometimes doing nothing is the best choice we can make. If an already difficult situation becomes worse as a consequence of our doing, there is absolutely no excuse for us, regardless of the fact that we acted with the best intentions."
"We should always respect our teachers, because transforming children into knowledge-oriented young people is a precious and extremely difficult job."
"It can be accepted that there is a price for man's work, time spent or service done, but never for human dignity."
"Criticism addressed to a person can only be of benefit if it was said in the right way and at the right time."
"The most valuable legacy of a man is not his wealth, but his ideas and deeds."
"Where there is a readiness for dialogue, there is a chance for peace."
"Superficial people consider themselves capable of doing everything. The question, however, is who is willing to hire them?"
"Be patient in life, knowing that there is a real possibility that the desired outcome could happen without your direct involvement."
"Only a person who is motivated in the inner depths of his being will help without hesitation and with no obligation for the one helped."
"In reality, there is no such thing as absolute freedom. The rules of social interaction determine one's freedom."
"There will come a time when people will realize the greatest mysteries of the universe: will a human then meet anything other than himself?"
"Ignoring disorder cannot result in order."
"In the frame of a known phenomenon of life, a human could be defined as the only proven thinking creature."
"Intensive work engagement is an effective medicine that we should use in case of many problems that occur in life. For example, when you are being treated unfairly at work or going through promotion discrimination, do not despair or complain that life isn't fair, but rather respond by intensive work, start a new challenging project, enroll in a master's degree program or in a doctoral program. Such activities will occupy you completely, so that you will quickly overcome the problem and repair your injured self-esteem."
"The development of civilization was marked by constant changes. This will continue – therefore, the future will belong to people ready for change."
"It is not acceptable that election winners interpret history. History should be left to historians who have a difficult task. They should try to avoid a one-sided or personal interpretation of history. Furthermore, some collective factors (such as national enthusiasm) may influence objectivity that is crucial for the interpretation of historical events."
"There are a lot of people who do not care about public interest. In fact, they always cater to their own self-interests."
"If you strive to realize unrealistic goals in life, the time will come when you will understand your efforts were futile."
"The loss of sanity – that's the worst thing that could have happened to anyone."
"Considering the general context of the flow of time, it is very disappointing that human life lasts such a short time."
"For every hour you are drunk you lose an hour of reality."
"I believe that the long-lasting progress of human civilization will continue. There will come a time when scientists will make discoveries that are completely unimaginable today."
"When we are gone, only the flash of our deeds could indicate that we once existed."
"What is true pleasure? It depends primarily on the given situation. For example, drinking fresh water is true pleasure for someone in the desert."
"Being indifferent is an effective weapon against bossing."
"Trying to make everyone happy is equally illusionary as drilling holes in the water."
"Interestingly, very few people have a clear idea on how to improve the quality of life."
"Those who help promptly help the most."
"Oftentimes, those who stop researching lose the ability to conduct deep analyses."
"Saving a human life is the highest moral obligation – it is beyond the limitation of any law."
About life and living
"Life is about expressing living."
"Living a short life as a proud person is more worthwhile than living a whole century as a chameleon."
"Be sure you've chosen a right way to live, and stick to it."
“No matter where you live, live with dignity.”
"Living honestly is a prerequisite for a clear conscience."
"Older people sometimes talk about the good old days when life was better. In fact, they talk nostalgically about their own youth that was irretrievably gone. The past century has made enormous progress in all fields. The standard of living, work environment, health care quality and mobility, and the availability of cultural programs, recreational activities and information – all that clearly speaks in favor of nowadays."
"People should respect those who have the courage to go alone through life."
"To observe life as an inevitability and to observe the nuanced stratification of life are two completely different points of view on life."
"One should learn by considering one's own failures that are a part of life."
"Life is the greatest teacher because it educates even those who really hate to learn."
"Idealizing life is surely quite unrealistic, however, it is much better than living in constant despair."
"A pragmatic person sees the dark and the light side of life, while an idealist sees a life filled with colors."
"Information and communication technologies have changed the way of life completely. Nowadays, many people reach for their smart phones and/or turn their computers on as soon as they wake up. They look at the news on social networks and check e-mails, before they get dressed or have breakfast."
"The essence of coexistence is quite simple: live and respect how others live."
"Sometimes people think the old days were better than today. Even though life was simpler and slower, it was not necessarily easier."
"We should enjoy every minute we live today because who knows if we will have a chance to do so tomorrow."
"Nowadays, using a computer has become a way of life."
About time
"Time runs independently of us, and we cannot comprehend the flow of time. Time is a category in itself."
"Nothing is as misleading as time – just think about it and you've already gotten old."
"The biggest misconception is thinking that you have time."
"Some people have a handful of ideas, but not enough time to realize them."
"Hours seem like minutes when we have something to talk about, and minutes seem like hours when we have nothing to talk about."
"One may sleep as long as one prefers, but one should know that each hour of excess sleep is an hour lost for learning."
About human nature
"Adapting to changes represents an important characteristic of human nature, essential for the development of human society."
"Generosity means giving without expecting anything in return."
"All of those who perceive new challenges as climbing a mountain should accept the fact that they aren't young anymore."
"Always think about the needs of others because being a part of a group is an essential characteristic of human nature."
"Do not criticize others unless you are willing to accept criticism."
"Evaluating people is quite difficult. In order to properly evaluate a man, we should have a chance to observe his behavior when he has nothing, and when he has everything."
"Choose words carefully when you talk about people. Spoken words can sometimes hurt a human soul so strong that it can no longer be cured."
"If you wear a mask for too long, it becomes a part of your character."
"To speak eagerly is one thing, to act persistently is another matter entirely."
"Most people take health at face value. Quite often people understand that health is the most valuable possession only after they become seriously ill."
"It seems quite pointless to waste health relentlessly in order to earn money that we shall spend on recovering health."
"Continuous denial of rational arguments represents a contempt of common sense."
"Young people cannot contribute to the betterment of society if they are constantly focusing on how to improve their own position."
"If you are convinced that you are not capable of doing something, you can only do it badly."
"If you strive towards significant achievements, count on great difficulties on the way to realization."
"There is no better way to improve yourself than an exchange of ideas with peers."
"It may be said that people who give more, get more."
"Be extremely careful when using irony: bear in mind that irony might be an overture for sarcasm."
"Human nature is so complicated. Those who have little, want a lot. Those who have a lot, think others have more. Those who lose, blame others for the loss."
"Don't judge people too strongly."
"Concerning mistakes, follow three simple rules. Firstly, correct a mistake that you made whenever it is possible. Secondly, don't repeat the same mistakes. Thirdly, learn from past mistakes."
"Do you want to resolve a conflict successfully? Don't wait, start a conversation."
"Empathize with others. You may easily get into a situation where you need the understanding of others."
"The key to successful social behavior: be approachable and understand the needs of others."
"Wherever you work, work hard and educate yourself continuously. You must never forget social welfare, ethics and honesty. However, there is no guarantee for your career progression. Therefore, don't expect that only the best people will be promoted."
"The people who overcome their fears are the ones who can achieve their dreams."
“Always try to avoid repeating the same mistakes; the price that you have to pay is often too high.”
"Many arrogant people achieved powerful positions, ignoring people around them, but in the end they failed. They would give anything in the world not to have chosen such a path."
"Commissioning a study of a thousand pages may jeopardize a certain project efficiently."
"Curiosity is crucial for innovation. We are all born curious, but only a small number of people remain curious for a lifetime."
"Interestingly, people often boast that they are hard workers not understanding that hardworking means spending a lot of time and energy on work."
"Selfishness may result in one's sense of superiority, but life as such will surely deny them."
"Not every man with a smile is good, and neither is every man with a frown bad."
"Both good and bad things about a man can spread quickly. The problem is that bad things remain much longer in people's memories."
"There are people who ask others how to do something, not with the intention to learn, but so that others do it instead of them."
"It is very disappointing that there are many people willing to do everything to live comfortably except to work hard."
"We all advocate for changes – until the time comes when we should change ourselves."
About wisdom
"Observing is the basis of wisdom."
"There are three characteristics of wisdom: knowledge, experience and patience."
"A wise man doesn't start what he doesn't know to do."
"A flood of words is by no means a proof of wisdom."
“Two things influence one's wisdom: remarkable experience and – even much more – accumulated knowledge.”
"Refusing dominance over others by using money is a clear sign of wisdom."
"A wise man is humble, knowing he actually doesn't know much."
"A wise man does not give quick answers to complex questions – he observes, analyzes and contemplates."
"True wisdom is to use knowledge not only for the betterment of yourself, but for the betterment of all."
"Every fool has an idea how to change the world. Wise people think about how to improve the world around them."
"A smart man knows when it is time to keep quiet, and when to speak. Moreover, a wise man considers the consequences of what he intends to say."
"There is a simple rule regarding wisdom: those who have a superficial knowledge cannot be wise. On the contrary, wise people have broad knowledge. However, besides the acquired knowledge, wisdom arises from observation and contemplation over a longer period of time. Wisdom is, therefore, often the privilege of older people who have a broad knowledge and respectable experience. Feel free to ask such people for advice."
"Silence is sometimes the best sign of someone's wisdom."
About happiness
"Success is relative, but happiness is absolute."
"If you are constantly searching for happiness, you'll never find it."
"Being naturally happy is the most impressive sign of freedom."
"A happy man doesn't reconsider life."
"Those who do not complicate life choose the easiest way to achieve happiness."
About friendship
"True friendship is not burdened by anything."
"Friendship, just like a young green plant, needs to be constantly nurtured."
"Unfortunately, people who always tell the truth don't have many friends."
"You should be aware of fake friends because it is the hardest to be aware of."
"Being blinded in love and friendship is a common mistake."
"Ask your friends for help if you need it. Asking for help can be costly if you don't have friends."
"Do not look for company at all costs, and especially do not allow loneliness to lead you to fickle love or false friendship."
"True friendship doesn't include jealousy."
"The older the friendship, the stronger the trust."
"A friend is a person who always understands your preoccupations, even when other people do not perceive them at all."
"Do not choose friends who only flatter you, but who understand you. True friendship implies willingness to speak frankly, to point out the mistakes we made and to exchange opinions freely."
"Genuine and lasting friendship is possible, but it is not easy to achieve. If all of us could establish a long lasting friendship, many mature people would still have old friends from their school days."
"Friendship can thrive only where there is no self-interest involved."
"There are moments in life when we must say 'No' even to friends. Regardless of hard feelings in such moments, we would suffer too much to follow them along the wrong way."
About science
"I believe in a world in which science is the key for supporting the development of a happy future for humanity. So, I advocate for such a situation in which scientists would speak louder. If science is silent, there is no way to solve high priority problems at a global level, such as: the gap between developed and undeveloped countries, poverty, limited energy resources, limited food and even drinking water (especially related to the population growth phenomenon), global warming and rapid climate changes, etc."
"Intellectual curiosity and the human brain are the root of science."
"A scientific mindset accepts the truth as a credo."
"People with a scientific mindset are analytical, open-minded, flexible and have the capacity to answer questions. They are basically focused on what they do not know, and only exceptionally on what they do know."
"Curiosity lies in a hidden corner of the scientific mind."
"What do people like in life the most? I think that one's preferences change over the years, especially those depending on one's physical capabilities and health. I personally enjoy the process of researching regardless of the final outcome. In fact, aiming to explain the unknown is often a major drive for scientists."
"Asking why is the root of a scientific mindset."
About knowledge
"There is a fascinating entanglement of science and knowledge, which is expressed as scientific knowledge."
"A man's vanity often goes hand in hand with his lack of knowledge."
"Only knowledge and truth may result in freedom of mind."
"The dynamic nature of knowledge is reflected in human progress and technological achievements."
"Don't be afraid to study hard: knowledge never exhausts the mind."
"A deep consideration of the essence of knowledge should reveal how knowledge corresponds to the truth."
"Knowledge is the key driver of the progress of civilization."
"Knowledge illuminates any problem."
"A person with great knowledge is truly wealthy."
"Implementation of knowledge generates new values."
"Knowledge is a unique kind of property, indeed: you can share it with others, while still possessing it."
"Knowledge is beneficial for avoiding and resolving disputes."
"Only a man of knowledge is capable of giving constructive criticism."
"Spreading knowledge is very important for the future of humanity."
"Acquiring new knowledge has been crucial for survival over the millennia."
"Knowledge has a great power. Therefore, unethical use of knowledge can be extremely harmful."
"Implementation of a knowledge based economy is a significant precondition for environmental and social sustainability."
"Creativity is an amazing human characteristic, which is more connected with curiosity than with knowledge."
"Adding your own piece of knowledge to the vast knowledge of the human race could be a sufficient reason for having existed."
"Do not believe people who say they know everything – they often know too little, and the least of what is truly important."
"Knowledge is the key to the development of civilization."
"A person with a big ego usually knows very little."
"A man of knowledge can certainly offer some reasonable options to solve a problem – the question is why such a man is not always included in problem solving."
"Each type of knowledge has value; however, from an engineering point of view, practical knowledge seems to be more valuable than theoretical knowledge."
"Knowledge is an exceptional kind of property which cannot be lost or used up."
"Knowledge is the most beautiful manifestation of the human mind."
"Superficial knowledge is potentially more dangerous than ignorance. It gives a false sense of security encouraging an ignorant man to persevere in his efforts that can result in huge damage."
"Those who have no knowledge are often willing to occupy influential positions with the aim of acquiring every possible benefit."
"It is certain that there is no limit to the vast ocean of knowledge."
"Knowledge can be acquired by education, reading, communicating and observing, but also simply by living."
"Acquiring knowledge is the most fruitful effort."
"It is much more challenging to accept those who know a lot than those who know little."
"There is a huge difference between thinking we know something and actually knowing something."
"Openness to change is key to implementing new knowledge. That is why one who is indifferent to change is not a friend of knowledge."
"Acquiring knowledge through the centuries has influenced human society more than all other factors."
"We know so many facts that summed together present human knowledge, but we don't know enough about the knowledge itself. Moreover, we don't know the extent of human knowledge compared to all knowledge."
"In general, people accumulate knowledge gradually over a long period of time. However, there are extraordinary people all around us, who are capable of accumulating impressive amounts of knowledge within a relatively short period of time. Nevertheless, even the greatest genius possesses only a small fraction of all knowledge known by mankind. Finally, the following question arises: how large is all the existing knowledge in comparison to the space of ignorance?"
"Darkness reigns when knowledge is silent."
"In general, sharing and using things decreases their value. However, knowledge increases by implementation and especially by sharing among people."
"Understanding how little we know is crucial to gaining knowledge."
"A good man shares his knowledge selflessly with everyone."
"Spreading knowledge is the most effective weapon for defeating ignorance."
"Knowledge as such can never be worthless."
"Knowledge is a unique treasure which no one can acquire easily."
"Opinion is a product of the human mind – but it is not knowledge."
"A knowledge-based society – that’s what I advocate for."
"Beware of presumptuous people who believe they know a lot. They may commit as much damage as ignorant people."
"To attain knowledge, learn continuously. To become wise, observe continuously."
"To know – that's true happiness."
"It's impossible to conquer knowledge."
"Knowledge cannot be inherited nor can it simply be gifted."
"Those who know more can easily understand that they actually know so little."
"Neither did the Iron Age period end due to the lack of iron, nor will the age of hydrocarbons end due to the lack of hydrocarbons. The reason lies in the development of human civilization because new knowledge leads mankind to a higher level."
"If you intend to evaluate how your knowledge is applicable, transfer it to others."
"Those who drink from the fountain of knowledge become even more thirsty."
About ideas
"Having an open mind is the most important precondition for creating new ideas."
"Inside the human mind, an idea is a mental spark that occurs as a response to the challenge of a train of thought."
"Thoughts crowded in the mind often end up as ideas."
"An idea occurs in the mind, where it is confined and useless. An idea lives when it leaves the mind."
"Open-mindedness is a precondition for generating new ideas, but focusing on the problem is almost equally important."
"An idea is an amazing creation of the human mind, which comes either as a result of one's continuous endeavors for solving a certain problem or just as a spark that lights up the considered problem."
"Ideas tell a lot about a person who generated them."
"An idea is like a spark in the dark – it makes everything brighter."
"An unsolved problem bothers one's mind, just as a small stone in the shoe, until an idea for solving the problem comes to mind."
"The precondition for solving a problem is having a clear idea on how to solve it."
"When an influencing idea comes to life, people cannot exactly predict all its inevitable consequences."
"Nothing is more important than a great idea that influenced the development of civilization."
"Ideas represent a wonderful manifestation of the functioning of the human mind."
"It is much more worthwhile to implement only one bright idea than collecting a thousand of them."
"If you have a pair of contradictory ideas, discuss all the possible consequences with your peers."
"You can understand a problem completely only if you have a clear idea how to solve it."
"Reading might be the root of ideas and inventions, even in the case of leisure reading."
"Some old and unrealized ideas will undoubtedly be actualized when their time comes."
"If you have an idea, you will likely have difficulties during the process of realization regardless of the type of idea (scientific idea, invention idea, business idea, new product idea, brand idea, advertising idea, etc.)."
"The development of human civilization over the course of millennia was really fascinating. Let us imagine, however, how high a level of development could have been reached if all amazing ideas of the great minds of the past had been realized. Let us consider, for example, some ideas of Nikola Tesla that have not been implemented as of yet."
"Nothing represents a man better than his ideas."
"Tell us which ideas you promote and we will know which type of person you are."
"Every day thousands of ideas are born, but few are ever successfully implemented."
"Advocate the idea which you consider as worthy. Believe that such an idea can prevail."
"Time is the unbiased judge of all ideas."
"The idea of freedom is valid for all people and in all times."
"Those with many ideas are potentially rich people."
"An idea is just a fiction until it is implemented."
"Thinking that we cannot handle new challenging ideas is a dangerous thing that jeopardizes possible progress."
"Hiring people with fresh ideas is the key to a company's future success."
About intellectual capacity
"Intellectual Capacity ≡ Ability to Perform Mental Tasks ≡ Ability of New Knowledge Acceptance"
"The next presumption is always valid: one's knowledge corresponds to one's intellectual capacity."
"Intellectual capacity is the key to solving any complex problem."
"Intellectual capacity is related to the ability of solving problems in the right manner."
"In general, intellectual capacity can help to solve problems realistically."
"One can solve complex problems in life, mainly by using one's own intellectual capacity."
"Intellectual capacity will certainly grow if one learns continuously."
"Intellectual capacity is a precondition for becoming a man of knowledge."
"Intellectual capacity is related to the ability of acquiring knowledge."
About problem solving
"An open mind is a prerequisite for finding an idea for solving any problem."
"If you cannot solve a problem, ask someone who knows."
"Solving a complicated problem can be frustrating. You can have good problem solving skills, but sometimes a problem seems like it has no solution. Nevertheless, never give up."
"Many books describe different problem solving techniques, but solving complicated problems in reality is not so easy."
"When an idea for solving a problem suddenly presents itself, ask yourself if all circumstances related to the problem were properly analyzed."
"I've tried to solve problems to the best of my knowledge. Many times I was successful, but sometimes I also failed. And now I finally understand – that's life."
"Problems often become worse if incompetent people try to solve them."
"Generating creative ideas – that's the key to solving problems."
"In reality, commissions rarely solve complicated problems. Therefore, the following question arises: what is worse – to establish a commission knowing it cannot solve a complicated problem, or to believe that the commission will truly solve such a problem?"
"Being in despair is the worst thing you can do when facing problems in life. Realistically, your problems will not be solved by others. In fact, many problems can be solved by doing your best."
"Don’t be disappointed when facing a problem for which no easy solution is possible. Always bear in mind that a good idea on how to solve the problem may come out of the blue."
About success
"Success is mainly the result of hard work."
"Start acting today if you want to be successful tomorrow."
"If one is not prepared to fail, there is no way to achieve success in business and life."
"Successful people know how to share their own dreams with other people."
"It is impossible to avoid failures in life. Don't be afraid of them. Consider rather how to learn from your own failures."
"In reality, there is no highway to success. Therefore, be prepared for difficulties."
"Success and failure are relative categories. Therefore, do not exult in victory and do not despair after defeat. Accept the changes in life placidly, knowing that autumn and winter come after summer."
"Do your best, but bear in mind that sometimes even your best efforts don't give the desired results."
"I've had several work addiction cycles in my life. Those were situations when important tasks were assigned to me. I took into account that people should remember me based on what I did rather than based on what I failed to do."
About conscience
"Man cannot suffer more than from a guilty conscience."
"Conscience can be a truly rigorous judge."
"Wealth and power aren't the most important things in life. What is truly important is to have a clear conscience."
About rumors
"Truth travels by bike, rumors travel by plane."
"A rumor spreads easily over a large distance."
"A rumor is the fastest runner."
"Somehow, for many people rumors are more desirable than the truth. In fact, rumors often sound more attractive than the truth."
"Little effort is needed to create a rumor, but a much greater effort must be made to deny it."
About leadership and management
"A leader is a person who knows how to act when other people don’t."
"If you are born to lead, be a leader!"
"Open mind → Learning → Knowledge → Baseline for leadership"
"A wise manager knows that it is sometimes more important to listen than to talk."
"Motivating employees to work at their full potential is the main premise of successful management."
"Managers can use power, money or certain circumstances to achieve short-term results. However, motivation is crucial for achieving long-term results."
"If you do not manage things, be prepared to face the consequences."
"You asked about important factors in management. I think the answer is quite simple – the most important factor is motivation."
"Managers who insist that employees produce heaps of papers should know that such an approach may result in sloppy implementation."
"If your endeavors result in success of the company in a continuity of at least a few years, you are a successful manager. If other companies follow your business approach, you are certainly an important manager with leader characteristics."
"Do not tend to hire only people who see what you see. Such a tendency may lead to a decline in operating profit, and even bankruptcy."
"Good managers don't set a goal to increase efficiency, but rather an implementation of business process improvements that result in higher efficiency as well."
"Avoiding setting too strong rules is the best way not to have problems with your own rules."
"Whatever you plan, plan realistically."
"An incompetent person in a responsible position may cause huge damage. Such a person should act less and think more."
"In my opinion, both clients and employees are equally important, but clients (customers) could be regarded as a specific final control of a company's work."
About choosing a profession
"After all, choosing a profession is extremely challenging – it is likely the hardest thing one has to do in the period of reaching maturity."
"There are more ways to choose a profession. One can choose it by intention, by strong parental influence or even by accident."
"Don't be too enthusiastic when choosing a profession – think of earning for life too."
"A profession that completely matches your talent, aspirations and skills is the best profession you can choose."
"When choosing a profession, a person will have good incentive for personal development by choosing such a profession that represents a personal challenge."
About learning and education
"The universal mission of all educators is to let the torch of knowledge illuminate the world."
"There is no higher priority for those who chose a university career than acting in the students’ best interest. That’s because students are the core of the university."
"Learning continuously is the best way to build one's intellectual capacity."
"Learn always and wherever possible, knowing that you'll never learn everything."
"It is equally important to learn from experience and from books."
"The age of ex cathedra culture in education is definitely finished. These days, we use modern teaching methods in line with advances in technology that changes culture and even society itself. However, the biggest challenge for a modern education system is how to prepare new generations for living in a highly competitive world full of uncertainties."
"Always educate yourself regardless of how old you are."
"Do your best to learn more to be able to act better."
"Nowadays, focusing on transferring applicable knowledge is a very challenging task that all teachers face."
"Teachers should know that the quality of the answers depends significantly on the quality of the questions."
"The following factors define a successful lecturer: knowing the topic of the lecture very well, being well-prepared for the lecture, speaking fluently and clearly, and last but not least – showing a genuine enthusiasm for the subject which attracts students’ attention."
About questions and exams
"For any question – regardless of its complexity – there is a clear and simple answer."
"Aiming to check a new test's difficulty, ask your assistants to solve the test prior to the actual exam. If the results are not satisfactory, reevaluate all ambiguous questions and correct them."
"Knowledge is a beautiful thing that can fill us with happiness. Let’s just think about our students who answered brilliantly to questions on various exams."
"Use two-way communication on oral exams to check the students' knowledge, not their attitudes. Checking attitudes can lead to the slippery area of subjective assessment."
"A great professor considers his student's success as a reflection of his own. He will not remain indifferent in the case of continuous poor exam results, but will do as much as possible to overcome such a situation."
"Designing well-written tests still remains a challenging task. Some complex questions may lose clarity causing difficulties in providing meaningful answers. Basically, questions should be designed in such a way that each well-prepared student can easily give a correct answer."
"You shouldn’t ask a question until you are sure you want to hear the answer."
About mentorship
"To be a successful mentor one must have knowledge and willingness to dedicate a lot of time to mentorship."
"A successful mentor is proud of his mentees, knowing that he has given a part of himself in their success."
"It is a great satisfaction for many professors if their mentees choose to remain at the university."
"No matter how skilled a mentor is, it seems that being a mentor once in a few years is just enough when considering PhDs."
About peer review
"Reevaluate your abilities each time when you have been offered to review an article. And say no thanks if the topic doesn’t belong to the field of your expertise."
"The worst problem of peer reviewing is its time consuming nature."
"The main challenges for a reviewer in peer reviewing:
- Knowing the field to which a certain manuscript belongs very well.
- Having experience in reviewing manuscripts.
- Having abilities to make reviewer’s remarks clear.
- Having enough time to evaluate the manuscript in depth.
- Obeying the editorial deadline for doing a review.
- Having a strong interest in scholarly journals."
About citations
"There's no absolutely reliable way to achieve a great citation. However, hardworking could be fruitful."
"If one has an aspiration to become a well-cited researcher, s/he must constantly strive to give the best efforts in a long-term period."
"In my opinion, the author-level metric can distort a real author's citation impact. For example, an author who has an h-index = 2 obtained on the basis of two published papers of which each is cited twenty times is more influential than an author who has an h-index = 3 obtained on the basis of three published papers of which each is cited three times."
About music
"People can enjoy music everywhere. Therefore, music is more than a gift because it represents a unique form of human freedom."
"There is a significant difference between skillful singing and artistic vocal interpretation. Although skillful singing brings joy to many listeners, only a remarkable vocal interpretation may cause people to be overcome with emotion."
About photography
"An image captured on camera represents an individual record seen by the photographer's eye."
"Each photography reminds us of an expired moment of time."
"The world of fine art photography represents not only the photos themselves, but the original expression of the photographers' perceptions."
"A photo is a unique record of the state existing at a certain moment of time and at a certain place."
About children and parents
"Each child is a unique person, so raise your child taking this fact into consideration."
"How to advise parents for being successful in raising children still remains an important unsolved problem."
"A great challenge for parents is how to prepare themselves for being successful in advising children."
"There is no better way to influence children than being their role model."
"An effective advising of children implies we tell them all about our own mistakes with the aim of not repeating the same mistakes. However, are we ready do so at all?"
"Always bear in mind how you act because children could copy your style."
"Teach your little ones about the rules of decent behavior. When they grow up, it will be too late to learn."
"Follow the same values that I've followed, but don't try to be my copy – rather be your own person."
"Love and advise your children unconditionally."
"Always try to see the child's fault from his/her point of view."
"Kids, no matter how big your problems are – ask your parents for help and advice."
"Our parents are always an important part of our inner life."
About fairy tales
"The best way to be a child again is to read fairy tales."
"A child’s best friend is often the one telling bedtime stories."
"There is no greater achievement than being a grandfather who tells fairy tales to grandchildren."
"A fairy-tale life exists only in fairy tales."
"Fairy tales ≡ Once upon a time."
Funny sayings
"Birthdays are the best thing we can collect: the more birthdays we collect, the more years we live."
"To smile sincerely is acceptable after making mistakes – that is the best way to feel cheerful and repeat the same mistakes."
"By studying human history, we can realize how much of human stupidity has fallen on fertile ground. Is gravity guilty for such an occurrence too?"
"Is there any difference between a happy and a lucky man? A happy is someone who finds an oasis with drinking water in a desert. A lucky man will always find water."
"Boldness and common sense do not always go hand in hand. So, in the case of an excellent swimmer, boldness says – do not hesitate to swim across a river, but common sense says – check if there are crocodiles in the river."
"There is no such complicated situation which people could not make more complicated."
"For many of us, an interesting anniversary will be 365 days from now: the first year of the rest of our lives will end then."
"The main proof that you actually do not exist is that nobody ever criticizes you."
"A good thing in one's ignorance is that one doesn't know that s/he doesn't know."
"The probability that politicians will fulfill all promises given during the election campaign is probably lower than the probability of Earth’s destruction tomorrow morning by a cataclysmic event."
"In the morning, people have a plan for that day. Hardworking people think of what they will do during the day, and idle people on what they should do."
"Some people practice to take multiple naps a day to recover vitality. They also take into account that a nap reduces the risk of work."
"Make every effort to avoid hard work – a number of people who successfully practice such an approach surely cannot be in the wrong!"
"How to easily find two bad workmen in a group consisting of ten unknown people? It's quite simple, find the two that look tired."
"Every morning many people have the bright idea to start working as late as possible."
"A bad worker says he has a lot of work, impatiently waiting for the end of the workday."
"Life is not complex at all when we do not think about it."