The Meaning of Life

George Anastaplo, Human Being and Citizen...who shares the realization that one of the purposes of life is to examine the purposes of life.

--from The Meaning of Life: according to our century's greatest writers and thinkers
collected by Hugh S. Moorhead. 1988. Chicago Review Press

Playwright Alan Ayckbourn after a stroke

A very nice doctor came in and said, 'Are you aware that when you say yes, you're saying no?'

I said, 'No.'

And he said, 'I don't think this conversation can continue.'

--Quoted in The New York Times, April 22, 2009

What is good?

At a meeting of the college faculty, an angel suddenly appears and tells the head of the philosophy department, "I will grant you whichever of three blessings you choose: Widsom, Beauty--or ten million dollars."
Immediately, the professor chooses Wisdom.
There is a flash of lightning, and the professor appears transformed, but he just sits there, staring down at the table. One of his colleagues whispers, "Say something."
The professor says, "I should have taken the money."

--from Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes, by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein. 2007, Abrams Image. New York.

Oatmeal--the new black

"With the success of Starbucks and Jamba Juice, there are a lot of people interested in oatmeal, it's becoming the new black. Oatmeal is in."

--Mark Schiller, President of Pepsico/Quaker Food and Snacks Division (maker of Frito-Lay, Rice-a-Roni, Aunt Jemima, and of course, Pepsi products)