Like many people, I have a tear-off day calendar in my office. My calendar consists of philosophical quotes and stories. Some are hits, some are misses. I save the home runs to read through later.

As part of wrapping the year (and cleaning out what is to be my old office, soon), I decided to transcribe all those quotes before I accidentally recycle them, and then post the ones I like in small batches.

A person's favorite quotes no doubt give you one bit of insight into that person.

Since my absolute favorite philosopher ever is Epictetus, we'll kick it off the first batch with a quote from him that does an excellent job in summarizing his stoic outlook:

Learn to wish that everything should come to pass exactly as it does.
-- Epictetus

My life is my message.
-- Mohandas K. Gandhi

You see the hut, yet you ask, "Where shall I go for shelter?"
-- West African Proverb

As a man is, so he sees.
-- William Blake

There's no education in the second kick of a mule.
-- Fritz Holling

Talk does not cook rice.
-- Chinese Proverb