Monday, May 23, 2011

I'd rather be encouraged by an ant to live than taught to doubt by fifty skeptics.

24 comments:

  1. Though I'm not one to go forth blindly anticipating nothing but sunshine and roses, encouragement always beats cynicism when it comes to preparation. If you don't have a positive attitude to start, you're already sunk!

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  2. It's always good to find out and not being content with little. We can not remain in ignorance imposed by public means, through doubt.
    Prefer altruism, the cynicism if closes about human motives and sincerity.

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  3. Inspiration from humble, successful people is more life changing than the bitterness of Stephen Hawking towards life.

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  4. I used to be way too positive and trusting of others--not so much now.

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  5. Yes, you can learn a lot about living via watching an ant. You can learn a lot about dying by watching that same ant through a magnifying glass on a hot summer day.

    Oh, skeptics suck.

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  6. Amen. The thing about skepticism....what good is it? I mean, you can be right, the negative may be true, the lovely may be nonsense, but what good does it do to know that? Give me life in a dream. If I wake up in hell, at least I'll have had a beautiful ride getting there.

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  7. Contrary to popular opinion here, I think reasonable doubt and the demand for evidence is essential. What many forget is that skepticism also demands an open mind that is rational and does not take things for granted. These are good things!

    Not with you on this one NP, though I agree encouragement is important, skepticism is crucial for discovery, progress and growth. It is a necessary component of seeking the truth and justice - "Innocent until proven guilty" - We have skepticism to thank for that :)

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  8. The ant has many lessons to teach us. It cannot teach us "why"
    but neither can 50 skeptics.

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  9. I agree, with the aphorism and with what Count Sneaky mentioned...Encouragement makes us *enjoy* the process of finding answers to 'why' : )

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  10. I certainly love my subordinates to be like ants rather than being skeptical to my instructions, and I pray my superior doesn't share my view...

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  11. I'd rather step on an ant than to allow myself to be encouraged to be sceptical by fifty sceptics being sceptical just to be sceptical about it.

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  12. I feel that.. Let us network.
    http://myhumanism.org.uk/link-exchange/

    thanks
    deLorie

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  13. doubts kills us :(

    ali
    letsgraph

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  14. Skepticism has its place, especially when someone's trying to sell me a car or a face cream; but as a life attitude, it certainly sucks. It's just the way depressed people look at life, poor bastards.

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  15. I don't understand. I think there is a misinterpretation of the meaning of skepticism here.

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  16. "I'd rather be encouraged by an ant to live than taught to doubt by fifty skeptics" So well said Marty. The skeptic to be carefully watched resides within!

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  17. So right, NP. The sting of a single ant will teach you not to stir an anthill, but the wisdom of fifty skeptics can't educate you for the better.

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  18. Good one. But I feel doubting is part of our reasoning proces.

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  19. this is most beautiful thing i ever heard and i always want to hear from everyone,

    nature has written a wonderful book for us to read and learn to better our living,

    these are the messages we should not miss ever,

    god bless you NP,pleasure to read you always

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  20. I agree totally...it's always a pleasure and eye opener to see what you have in store:) Liane:)

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  21. I love this... and I completely agree. Great blog you have here :)

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  22. hi Marty, Yes I studied some skeptics recently and a founder of a leading group called the 'skeptic's skeptic' quit because they were fabricating evidence to disprove others. There is great truth in this. You do a wonderful job ........as always 'less is more'.

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