Tag: Quotation

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“I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed.” – Hatshepsut

Female Pharaoh image

Hatshepsut, the longest-reigning Egyptian female pharaoh, ruled for 20 years in the 15th century BC. “I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed,” declared Hatshepsut.

The quote regarding Hatshepsut’s appointment comes from inscriptions and was designed to legitimise her rule, often illustrating the divine will of the Gods or proclamations from her father, Thutmose I.

Hatshepsut was adept at presenting her reign within the context of divine support and royal succession. “This daughter of mine, Hatshepsut… I have named her successor to my throne… She shall guide you… Heed her words and gather under her command.”

Mini history lesson


Hatshepsut, one of the most successful pharaohs of Egypt, ruled during the 18th Dynasty from approximately 1479 to 1458 BCE.

Her tenure is noted not just for its duration but also for the prosperity and tranquility she established in Egypt. As a rare female pharaoh, Hatshepsut had to affirm her power in a patriarchal society. She frequently portrayed herself with pharaonic symbols of authority, like the false beard and headdress, to reinforce her legitimacy. “I have raised up what was in ruins. I have restored that which was destroyed,” she declared, underscoring her role in reviving Egypt’s splendour.

During her rule, Hatshepsut initiated grand construction projects, leaving a heritage of remarkable monuments and temples. Her most famous accomplishment is the mortuary temple at Deir El-Bahari, an architectural wonder that stands as a testament to her foresight and governance. Hatshepsut also rejuvenated Egypt’s economy by developing extensive trade networks. Her notable expedition to Punt, a region thought to be resource-rich, yielded precious items like myrrh, frankincense, and exotic wildlife.

This voyage was eternally captured in the reliefs of her temple, showcasing her achievements and contributions to Egypt’s affluence. In her inscriptions, Hatshepsut stated, “My authority was asserted in this land and to its farthest reaches… My gaze was southward, I explored the edges of the mountains, all my eyes wished to see was accomplished.”

This statement mirrors her broad vision and ambition to expand Egypt’s reach. Despite her accomplishments, Hatshepsut’s memory faced attempts at erasure after her demise. However, contemporary archaeology has revealed her significant influence.

Today, Hatshepsut is celebrated as an innovative ruler whose reign made a lasting impression on ancient Egyptian history.

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“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato

Soapbox politician

Plato – was an ancient Greek philosopher of the Classical period who is considered a foundational thinker in Western philosophy and an innovator of the written dialogue and dialectic forms.

Plato’s most famous contribution is the theory of forms (or ideas). Along with his teacher Socrates, and Aristotle, his student, Plato is a central figure in the history of philosophy.

Visit Wikipedia for more information about Plato.

Soapbox politician
“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato
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“The sun is the most important thing in everybody’s life, whether you’re a plant, an animal, or a fish, and we take it for granted”.

Sunset

Danny Boyle

(See Wikipedia)

Daniel Francis Boyle (born 20th October 1956) is an English director and producer. He is known for his work on films including Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and its sequel T2 Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Steve Jobs, and Yesterday.

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“Time is a created thing. To say, ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’” – Lao Tzu

Space time

Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu’s philosophy is foundational to Taoism and focuses on living in harmony. His teachings emphasize naturalness, simplicity, and spontaneity. He also introduced the concept of the Three Treasures: compassion, frugality, and humility, as virtues to cultivate for a harmonious life.

The birth date of Lao Tzu is not precisely known and is often debated among scholars. Traditional accounts commonly place his life around the 6th century BCE, making him a contemporary of Confucius.

It is noteworthy that the historical existence of Lao Tzu is debated by some contemporary scholars, who propose that he might be a mythical figure, or a designation applied to several contributors of the Tao Te Ching.

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‘A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child.’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Rudolph is usually depicted as the ninth and youngest of Santa Claus’s reindeer, using his luminous red nose to lead the reindeer team and guide Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Though Rudolph initially receives ridicule for his bright red nose, the brightness is so powerful that it illuminates Santa’s path through dark winter weather.

The original story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was written by, Robert May.

First publication of the short story was in 1939.

Rudolph
‘A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child.’ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
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‘You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it requires people to make the dream a reality.’

Fairytales and dreams

Walt Disney 1901 – 1966

Walt Disney was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual.

‘You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it requires people to make the dream a reality.’

See other quotes

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‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear’.

I have a dream...

Martin Luther King Jr. 1929 – 1968

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who advocated for nonviolent resistance against racial oppression in the United States. 

He is best known for his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, delivered at the March on Washington in 1963, where he called for an end to racism and a vision of a society where people are judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

Martin Luther King Jr. was assasinated in 1968.

‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear’. Martin Luther King Jr.
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‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’.

Lemonade

Elbert Hubbard 1856 –1915

Elbert Hubbard – was an American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher. He was a travelling salesman.

Hubbard is best known as the founder of the Roycroft artisan community in New York, an influential exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement.

No, nor me – never heard of him, but I really like this quote.

‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’.
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‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.’

The electric light bulb

Thomas Edison – inventor 1847 – 1931

Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in areas such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions, which include the phonograph, the ‘motion picture camera’, and early versions of the electric ‘light bulb’.

During his working life he is reported to have held a world-record 1,093 patents

The electric light bulb is one of the most important inventions in human history. It has revolutionized the fields of lighting, communication, entertainment, and industry. The electric light bulb produces light by passing an electric current through a thin wire called a filament, which heats up and glows. The filament is enclosed in a glass bulb that is either vacuumed or filled with an inert gas to prevent it from burning out. The humble bulb has undergone many developments through time including the introduction of energy saving devices using LED’S, Light Emitting Diodes.

Joint invention

The electric light bulb was not invented by any one person, but by many inventors who contributed to its development over the years. Some of the earliest attempts to create electric light were made by Humphry Davy, Warren de la Rue, and Joseph Swan in the 19th century.

However, the most famous and successful individual inventor of the electric light bulb was Thomas Edison, who patented his version in 1879 and 1880. Edison experimented with different materials for the filament, such as carbon, platinum, and even bamboo, until he found one that could last for over 1,000 hours. He also improved the vacuum pump and the socket for the bulb. He demonstrated his invention to the public by lighting up his laboratory and the nearby streets in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

The electric light bulb
‘The electric light bulb invented over time with many contributors – the best known being Thomas Edison’.

World changing invention

The electric light bulb has changed the world in many ways. It has extended the hours of work and leisure, improved safety and health, enabled new forms of art and entertainment, and stimulated scientific and technological innovation. 

The electric light bulb is also a symbol of human creativity, curiosity, and progress.

If you want a good read – go find, ‘The Last Days of Night’ by Graham Moore. It’s brilliant!

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‘Neither a borrower nor money lender be’.

Shakespeare quote

William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616

The phrase, ‘neither a borrower nor money lender be’ is a famous quote from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, spoken by the character Polonius to his son Laertes. Polonius is giving his son some advice before he leaves for Paris, and he tells him not to lend or borrow money from anyone, because it can ruin friendships and lead to financial troubles.

Quote

‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry’.

The phrase means that we/you should be self-reliant and prudent with your money, and avoid getting into debt or lending money to others. It implies that borrowing and lending can cause resentment, dishonesty, and loss of trust between people. It also suggests that borrowing can make you lazy and wasteful, while lending can make you lose both the money and the friend. Thats’s true!

Relevant

The phrase is still relevant today, as many people face the challenges of managing their finances and dealing with debt. It is often used as a proverb or a piece of wisdom to warn people against the dangers of borrowing and lending money. However, some people may disagree with the phrase, and argue that borrowing and lending can be beneficial in some situations, such as when one needs to invest in education, business, or emergency needs. They may also point out that borrowing and lending can strengthen relationships if done with honesty, generosity, and gratitude.