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Ask HN: What is a quote that permanently changed the way you think?

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Re: Ask HN: What is a quote that permanently changed the way you think?

#41
post #38

“Never whistle while you’re pissing” - Robert Anton Wilson in Illuminatus trilogy.

Why? What does it mean?

"Never whistle while you're pissing. If you whistle while you're pissing, you have two minds where one is quite sufficient. A divided mind is easily conquered."

Re: Ask HN: What is a quote that permanently changed the way you think?

#47
Two Roman Stoics really left an impression on me.

> What man can you show me who places any value on his time, who reckons the worth of each day, who understands that he is dying daily? For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years lie behind us are in death's hands.

[1] https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Let...

> The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.

[2] https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html#1

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