Aphorisms

An aphorism is a short pithy sentence that contains a truth. I am fond of this form, and so here I give a few of my favourites. If you have an aphorism you like, do send it to me. If I like it, I will include it here.

Don't let your principles prevent you from doing what's right.

There is never enough time to do it right first time, but always enough time to do it again.

When two people are arguing, always look for why it is they are both right.

You can't stop dumb people doing dumb things. (Julian Fowler)

Everyone is an idiot at least some of the time (the Dilbert principle).

Good judgment comes from experience, most of which comes from bad judgment.

It is the truly wise who can learn from the mistakes of others.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing badly.

If a job's worth doing, it's worth being paid for.

A trouble shared is a trouble doubled.

Tell them what your going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you've told them.

If in doubt do something - at least then you can learn from your mistakes.

You are always limited by your ambition.

If something needs doing and it doesn't get done, then you and I are amongst those that did not do it.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Safety is no accident.

Freedom is the illusion of those who have made no commitments.

Brevity may be the soul of wit, but it can also be a mercy. (from Leonid S. Sukhorukov)

Saying that there is a lot of information to be had on the Web is like saying that there are tons of gold in the ocean, and all one has to do is go out there in your boat and get it. (Pat Cassidy)

Ontologies are like underwear - no-one wants to use somebody else’s. (Pat Cassidy)

There is no such thing as an ill wind if you do not know where you are going.

Unforgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies. (Nelson Mandela)

If you think you are too small to make a difference, consider the impact of a mosquito. (Nelson Mandela)

Standards are like sausage; you don’t want to see how either is made.

Just because something has been done badly does not mean it cannot be done well.