Sunday, November 20, 2011
Do Not Be a Quote Machine
It is better to say things in our own words than to be a quotation machine and frequently stumble across mis-attributed and spurious quotes. Search engines can make anyone seem smart or philosophical or devout. Remember my analogy of the demagogue who is like the surfer riding the huge wave before an admiring crowd. It is sad that a majority of people will be impressed by such things. There are reasons, I suppose, to seek the admiration of many but we should be careful not to fool ourselves in the process. Remember that little parable about the two sons and a father who commands them to do a certain thing. One son pays lip-service and says yes, but then does nothing. The second son says NO, but later repents and does what was asked of him. Words are cheap. Deeds, actions, works have value.
