The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (Full Version)

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Marc2b -> The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 1:19:04 PM)

Who was the wisest person you ever personally knew and why?

For me it was my maternal Grandfather. He was a man of few words but he always packed his words with meaning. I've already mentioned his philosophy regarding duct tape and WD-40 on Stella's "There, I fixed it," thread. A few more:

"There are legalities and then there are realities."

"Boy, if you take a turd and pour perfume on it and wrap it in a pretty pink bow - it's still a turd. Ain't it boy?"
(I was twelve and was trying my second attempt at bullshiting him about something)

"Having a pecker only proves that somebody is male - it does not prove they are a man."
(Grandpa had zero tolerance for any man - or rather male - who was abusive or disrespectful toward women in any way - he was a true hats off and no swearing when women are present kind of guy)

When asked at his sixtieth wedding anniversary the secret to his long marriage:
"Going home everyday to have lunch with my wife."

"Always treat a stranger you've just met with respect and just a little deference. It makes a good impression. Besides, if they're an asshole, it'll show soon enough."

I could go on and on but I'll end with this little slice of life:

I was ten. My father, myself, and my Grandfather were building a garage next to the hunting cabin.

Dad (as he and my Grandfather lined up a long plank for nailing): Move it left just a hair.
Grandpa: "Blond or Brunette?"
Dad: "What's the difference?"
Grandpa: "A black hair is thicker."
Dad: "Fine! Brunette!"
Grandpa: "head hair or cunt hair?" (Grandpa was the soul of courtesy when women were present but in an all male enviroment - Holy Cripes could that man swear!)
Dad: "What?!"
Grandpa: "Cunt hairs are thicker."
Dad: "You do know that my son is present, don't you? My TEN year old son?"
Grandpa: (after giving me a look over) "Good! It's about time we started the boy's education."



LillyoftheVally -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 1:26:38 PM)

Oh I have met so many, my granddad who would 'make do and mend' and let those with problems 'get on with it', my aunt, who packed in her high flying career in accounting in london to be a spiritual therapist, my sociology teacher who was the only man to stand up to the head's daughter. I have been blessed in my life to meet wonderful people who buck against the norm and have taught me how to be.



OrionTheWolf -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 1:44:00 PM)

~FR~

It would have to be my maternal Grandfather as well. One of his sayings:

Don't say anything you don't want someone else to hear; Don't write down something you do not want someone else to read; Don't do something you do not want someone else to see.




SteelofUtah -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 2:04:30 PM)

My Dad.

Who told me:

"From the day you are born to the day you die, life has a way of systematically shitting on you, when you are done whining about it and start crawling is when you life will change and a good goal for a man to have is to see sunshine on his death bed."

"The Idea is NOT to be the richest man in the Graveyard, bub"

"If you don't want to get to know misery, then never get involved with someone who has less to lose than you do. if you don't want to know pity never get involved with someone who has more."

"**Steel** Don't Be a Jack Ass."

"Laws are guidelines to the world, there comes times when you may have to break a Law, it will not always be the wrong thing to do, but the consequence is the same either way. Know the Consequence and be willing to pay it always when you decide to break the law."

"I've known Good men and I've known Bad men, sometimes in your life you will need both, so pick your partners (Friends) wisely."

"Don't ask someone to do something that you wouldn't want to do unless you are willing to pay them what you would want to be paid to do it."

God I love my Dad.

Steel



Lashra -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 2:18:52 PM)

My Father and here are some of his sayings that inspired me.

"Baby you can do anything you want to do if you set your mind too it." My Father had to drop out of school in the 8th grade to work on his Fathers farm. He latter went on to become a master carpenter, electrician, plumber etc. If it had to do with construction he knew how to do it. He was self taught and had a mind of an engineer, if he could envision it, he could build it and he built it to last.

"Never let anyone tell you that because your a girl that you cannot do something. Only ignorant people think like that." My Father could not stand bias against women. He had always been a feminist and was always for equal rights for women. He watched his own mother be severely abused by his father and swore to never be like his dad. He never raised a hand to a woman and would defend one against a male abuser.

"The language of a politician is bullshit. Do not believe everything that they say and question everything that they do not."

My dad was one of the wisest people that I've ever known.

~Lashra




Musicmystery -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 2:31:09 PM)

Paternal grandfather. On an 8th grade education, but farming for a lifetime will teach you a few things. And I noticed when we would go to town that EVERYBODY knew him and liked him. A quiet man, listened before he spoke, and then spoke little. Calm and confident, without a hint of arrogance. He knew how to live.

A few of the many that stick out:

"If you don't see the sun rise, you miss half your life."
"The only people who aren't criticized are those who don't do anything."
"You can't do everything by yourself."

When he was dying (at 84--lung problems), my Dad called me to ask me to go out and visit him (4.5 hour drive one way).
"Sure," I said. I loved visiting. "Why?"
"Because he won't take his medicine, and you're the only one he listens to," my Dad replied.

I thought to myself "That's because I don't make a habit of going to his house and telling him what to do!" but said nothing.

I felt a loss when the farm was sold after his death (five years later). It's part of why owning my own land was and is so important to me.

My life today is very different from his, but he's a huge part of who I have become. His example is one of my guiding principles.

Rest in peace, Grandpa.

Live well all.




stella41b -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 2:59:21 PM)

I have two possible candidates. The first is my maternal grandmother. However my second would be Babu, the Master who introduced me to Buddhism back in 1984.

Both have had a profound influence on my life.



littlewonder -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 3:48:03 PM)

Master..which is just one of the many reasons I'm with him.



pahunkboy -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 5:07:13 PM)

Odd timing.  tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of my dad.

While he was wise-  the next door neighbor- old man was the wisest.   We sat out all summer.  He told me how things are in the world. As I got older- more and more- I seen things he told me is true.  

I knew a   more then him as being wise. 

In the public arena,  Bob Chapman.

...alot can be said for the Silent generation that is dying off.   The group before the boomers.   They seemed to have a sense of duty and integrity that is lacking today.

My first ex- was and is pretty wise.   So was my late friend Jim.  He was.

2 wise people that come to mind on the board?

Lady E., and Term.




FullCircle -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 5:21:57 PM)

I've never met, in person, any wise people in the whole of my life so far.

I've known plenty with knowledge or artistic ability but wisdom is something else. It's someone who'll give you some advice and you'll think humm yes you are right. Nobody has given me advice where I think humm yes you are right, usually I tend to think humm no you are wrong you crazy person. Like the person that said I should be a gardener on the basis that I didn't want to work in an office. Personally I could have thought of a thousand other jobs not involving an office that would have better suited me.

Actually I know one wise person now I come to think of it, my old boss.



NYLass -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 5:57:57 PM)

My high school religion teacher.  She said to stand up for what you believe.  Accept the consequences for your actions.  Be the best you, that you can be.  I stay in contact with her to this day.  She was the only nun I had a connection to, and more insightful than any guidance counselor I had.



Marc2b -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 7:22:52 PM)

quote:

My Father and here are some of his sayings that inspired me.

"Baby you can do anything you want to do if you set your mind too it." My Father had to drop out of school in the 8th grade to work on his Fathers farm. He latter went on to become a master carpenter, electrician, plumber etc. If it had to do with construction he knew how to do it. He was self taught and had a mind of an engineer, if he could envision it, he could build it and he built it to last.

"Never let anyone tell you that because your a girl that you cannot do something. Only ignorant people think like that." My Father could not stand bias against women. He had always been a feminist and was always for equal rights for women. He watched his own mother be severely abused by his father and swore to never be like his dad. He never raised a hand to a woman and would defend one against a male abuser.

"The language of a politician is bullshit. Do not believe everything that they say and question everything that they do not."

My dad was one of the wisest people that I've ever known.

~Lashra


I think you father and my grandfather would have gotten along fantastically.



Marc2b -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 7:42:19 PM)

quote:

Odd timing. tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of my dad.


My condolences on your loss.



FangsNfeet -> RE: The Wisest Person You Ever Knew. (8/20/2009 7:53:20 PM)

My grandfather always gave the wisest advice.

1. Never owe anyone money

2. Always help your neighbor

3. Never fill up your car with a bunch of guys. Only fill it up with women.

4. As long as you're fishing, God doesn't take away that time from your life.

5. Never trust a lawyer.



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