Quotes

Over the past couple days; I engaged in a major housecleaning. This is unusual for me because I regard it as a Sisyphus chore, but I’m expecting a house guest.

For a pack rat, this is an archaeological dig. That is, the deeper I go, the older the relics.

One prize I surfaced was a brochure from an ad agency that I received a couple decades ago. They included favorite quotes from all their employees.

I still know some of the people and it’s interesting to see what they revealed about themselves in their selections and compare that to how they might perceive things or prioritize today. In one case, a woman advocated opportunity over risk-aversion, which is the opposite of how she is today. Age can do that to you.

Some of the more interesting include “Obstacles are things people see when they take their eyes off their goals.” Easy to see why this guy was one of the agency’s executives.

“The foolish reject what they see, not what they think. The wise reject what they think, not what they see.” This guy was over a creative department and could’ve been frustrated by some of the delusional who can gravitate to there.

“To know what is right and not do it is the greatest cowardice of all.” A little more strident than I would’ve submitted for this. Also in this category, “The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth.” I don’t know that a prospecting brochure is where you want to get into issues. “Do you want to speak to the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on?” Maybe I’m in the minority on the issues thing.

“There is no I in team.” Should an ad agency be dealing in clichés?

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea.” That’s from the agency president. I’m guessing he used it many times to overcome a client’s objection to something groundbreaking.

“It doesn’t hurt to crack a smile.” Yes, she’s still warm and fuzzy.

“Life is like walking in the snow. Every step shows.” He left some good tracks so he understood that.

“Pencils and erasers never speak the same language.” That comes from one of the owners and he seemed to get that you need both.

“I used to be snow white, but I drifted.” I must look her up.