It’s only Wednesday, and the week has already given us an investigation into the military cover-up in the death of Pat Tillman, a declaration by Rush Limbaugh that the shooter in the Virginia Tech horror had to be a liberal, a ridiculous exchange between Sheryl Crow and Karl Rove, a call from hip hop impresario Russell Simmons to ban the use of the words, bitch, ho and nigger from rap music, an escalation in the war of words between Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger and way too much from Mel Kiper, Jr. on the upcoming NFL draft. Blah, Blah, blah, blah blah.The week also saw the tragic death of David Halberstam. With the death of Halberstam, we are reminded that words can actually be used for something other than spin, posturing or for the advancement of personal agendas. We are reminded that words can be used for educating and informing rather than for name calling and labeling. One of the reports on the extraordinary literary life of David Halberstam, mentioned a quote from Julius Erving that made a lasting impact on Halberstam. The quote read: “Being a professional is doing what you love to do on the days you don’t feel like doing them.” They were simple words that affected Halberstam positively. In that vein, and in tribute to Halberstam, I thought I’d share a sample collection of quotes I have saved over the years.
“Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”
Will Rogers
“If you have your health, and you’re surrounded by people who love you, you have everything in life anyone is entitled to ask for.”
Don Rickles
“Great spirits always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Albert Einstein
“Ain’t no man can avoid being born average, but there ain’t no man that got to be common.”
Satchel Paige
“Put your genius into your life, but only your talent into your work.”
Oscar Wilde
“Suit up, show up, tell the truth.”
Art Stolnitz
“The harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain to cheap, we exteem to lightly. It’s dearness only that gives everything its value.”
Thomas Paine
“Never humiliate or embarrass an adversary..it’s sets the stage for payback.”
Arn Tellem
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breaths away.”
George Carlin
“Surround yourself with strong opinionated people.”
John Wooden
“Always go to other people’s funerals, or they won’t go to yours.”
Yogi Berra
Are there particular quotes that have made an impact on your life as Dr. J’s did on David Halberstam? If so, log on and share them. Every little bit helps these days.
