Words of wisdom.
Quotable quotes.
Words to live by.
I find inspiration in quotes from other people. I have even tried to come up with a few meme worthy quotes of my own but nothing has really gone viral. I am still waiting for that to happen. I guess I don’t have anything that is “viral worthy” quite yet. Give me time, folks, give me time.
I recently discovered that my all time favorite quote that was attributed to John Wesley may not actually have been accurately represented. The quote which I have had as part of my signature in my email for years is as follows:
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
I have read several articles and posts about this and one with some great comments in the comment section is located at Vital Piety. While I am not a scholar it makes me a little bit sad because I have been guilty of giving credit where credit is not due. A lot of people appear to be all hot and bothered about the misquote. I get it.
We do need to give credit where credit is due. John Wesley is long gone but recently another blogger friend wrote a post about how her words have been claimed by others. Rachel Martin of Finding Joy wrote about stealing words here. It is definitely worth a read and it makes me wonder how often this happens.
Our words are ours.
They represent who we are and what we stand for.
Our words are our bond.
When others steal our words they disrespect us and cheaper our words.
Anyone who writes, takes photographs or creates in any way has the right to be proud of their work and claim it as their own. When someone borrows it without asking it hurts the creator. When I first started blogging I didn’t “get it” as much as I do now. I did not always use my own photographs and now I do or use ones that are provided by reputable sites. It is all part of the learning process.
I still love quotes and asked friends to offer up some of their favorites. Enjoy the following collection and offer up some of your own in the comments section. All comments this month will mean a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause –Connestee Falls Scholarship Fund.
Oh and my quote on my email signature now includes the following: Attributed to John Wesley but not verified.
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“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!” ~ Dr. Seuss
“When someone shows you who they are believe them .”- Maya Angelo
“Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” — St. Thomas Aquinas
“This is not a victory for you, Mom. It just means you’ve done your job correctly.” Christopher Barbey
“To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.” – Mary Baker Eddy
“God’s delay is not God’s denial.” (Unknown)
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Emerson
“Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!” (Unknown)
“Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
– Maya Angelou
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” Jimmy Johnson
“Thoughts become things. Choose wisely.” Mike Dooley.
“You can always count on americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else.” Winston Churchill
“Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.” Mark Twain
“God’s fingerprints are all over it.”
16 Comments
Leave a commentI think that I have mentioned one of my favorites here before, but here it is, and it too is anonymous at least to me. So if one of up your readers has an inkling as to the author I would be,grateful to hear it. I will paraphrase it because, like the author, I’m not exactly sure of the exact content. ‘Every man is my superior, in that I may learn something from them’.. True words of wisdom, wouldn’t you say?
Absolutely! Thanks for sharing again!!!
Insightful post that really go the thinking this morning- before coffee! Thanks, Beth Ann! Your example of the John Wesley quote teaches us that there is a difference between what may be “legal” and what may be “moral”. It’s likely that if it is a quote by John Wesley, it has now passed in to the public domain and can be used by you. But, you are bringing up the point that you ant to give credit where credit is due- regardless of the law. Good example for all of us writers to remember. I also read the blogger you cite. The Doctrine of Fair Use” can be complicated, but in general, short phrases, 10 words or less, can be copied and used with attribution. I love pondering all this- thanks Beth. Oh one more thing- besides photographs, writers and creative should also respect music copyrights- don’t use someone’s lyrics in your writing without permission and don’t use their music as background in a video! Ok, getting off the soap box.
Here’s a good explanation of Fair Use https://janefriedman.com/the-fair-use-doctrine/
Yes!!! Thanks for the input and the link!!!! Will be re reading that. You are the best!
I’ve used Mark Twain’s thought (above) much and his quips/quotes are so very insightful, along with all of Will Rogers’. Great post, BTW, as always! Expect a call soon to finalize(?) dates………………excited hugs comin’ at ya………
I don’t have a favorite quote…though I used the “your lack of planning…” a lot when I was working…silently, just in my head, of course.
I’m a person that would require one of those quote books filled with appropriate lines if I ever decided to start my blogs with quotes. I love reading them though!
Oh! And I meant to tell you I loved YOUR quote at the top about no step being too small… (does this mean you’ll donate a DOLLAR because I forgot to put it all in one comment? LOL!)
Yep! Cha Ching!
I once saw something I thought was very funny. “Don´t believe everything you read on the internet.” ~Abraham Lincoln.
Here is anther quote I have always loved, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~Will Rogers (Although I did once see this quote attributed to Will Smith!)
I thought of the “Lincoln” quote too! 😀
The quote that always comes to mind first when I’m asked my favorite is “Bloom where you’re planted”. And I have no idea to whom to give credit for that one!
Great collection of quotes in an ever so needed post. I help women with blogging and social media need. The areas of correct attribution and legal image use are some of the first and most important areas I cover in my Meetup group. My favorite quote is by Walt Whitman from Leaves of Grass: “Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes.”
That “No step” quote of yours deserves to go viral. I love it, especially with the image.
As a long-time writer and photographer, I’ve always understood the importance of not stealing the creative work of others. A lot of folks don’t seem to get that. I also don’t appreciate when people want to use my photos “for credit and a link.” Yes, I do sell rights to my images. My work has value. Off my soapbox now.
Whoa, just read about stealing words in the link… WEAK! It’s too bad. As far as I know I’ve never stolen words, but how does the old saying go? If you steal from one person it’s plagiarized, but if you steal from many it’s research. Something like that. Good luck on going viral, I’ve never, ever, ever come close to that. LOL
I saw ya’ stopped by my blog & commented on the Ring My Bellini post, thanks for reading and thanks for commenting, I’m glad you found it amusing! WordPress changed or jetpack or something and I haven’t figured out how to reply to comments yet, so here I am. Hahaha I’m not good. LOL
One more thing; “Sure Marge, everything looks bad if you remember it.” – Homer Simpson
Thanks for the wisdom!
Actually, here’s another one – I had it taped up above my desk for years before I retired – a private message to myself:
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll get somewhere else”. Yogi Berra
I got where I knew I’d go!
I’m such a sucker for quotes too. I even love the ones they turned into wall art. My hubby laughs and all my advice on the walls. I love your collection.