I recently traveled to Abilene, Kansas and while there, visited the President Dwight D. Eisenhower historical site, memorial, library and Presidential grounds.

This is an excerpt from his 1953 Inaugural Address...

"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."

I am fascinated by previous Presidents and the speeches they gave to the American people while in Office. Oddly enough though, it seems that the words spoken do not often correlate to their actions in office. In this instance, I believe President Eisenhower words speak to today's people, perhaps more clearly than to those 54 years ago.

Today's quote comes from Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung.

"The man who promises everything is sure to fulfill nothing."

In short, do not make a promise, you can't keep.

George H. Lorimer was the editor of the Saturday Evening Post weekly magazine from 1899 to 1937. He wrote these words,

"Back of every noble life there are principles that have fashioned it."

I believe one becomes noble only by having lived by principle.

This post is dedicated to you, Grandmother.

I think myself 'stupid' to say it, but until recently I had never been into reading. I enjoyed the occassional latest-greatest fiction novel, but I had never developed a keen interest in the likes of Emerson, Steinbeck, Camus, Churchill and others until now. It brought me to the realization that a person develops their own mind and principles through acquiring knowledge; transforming that information into wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson said these words,

"Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."

I believe that he is speaking of action, for acquired knowledge of wisdom only has meaningful value through action or deliberate inaction.