11 Aphorisms: Liberty, Love, Life, Death, Drugs and Courage.

by Brandon Toner

• The modern person is confronted with two options: consume dangerous drugs or consume dangerous ideas. The former threatens to destroy their bodies, the later the very society which necessitates the former.

• Mercy is the most noble act, vengeance the next. Punishment and forgiveness are for those in chains.

• True liberty is the power to be merciful toward those who cause you injury.

• Never fear to think, it is a confrontation with your self. If you cannot confront your self then you will not be able confront others.

• Dangerous ideas are much more exciting and deadly then dangerous drugs.
  

• The bored are the breathing dead.

• Love can be the most charming of tyrants.

• Euphoria can be bought, courage cannot.

• 'Life or death' is a false dichotomy.

• Materialism is valuing what you do not have and not valuing what you do have.

• Aphorisms are widely read but often narrowly understood.

Life, Death, and Milk Duds

You know when your are snacking on a bag Skittles or maybe a box of Milk Duds, you put the wrapper down thinking its empty. A few minutes go by, candy forgotten, then remembered. You are sure there isn’t any skittles left but you check any way and be hold…one or two last pieces of candy are clinging to the inside of the packaging. Your wrestle the last few pieces into your mouth and for some reason they are the best tasting pieces in the whole bag, in fact probably some of the best tasting piece of candy you have ever eaten

I hope that is how my life ends, with the same kind of feeling. Maybe laying on my death bed thinking of the ups and down, the successes and failures and like that bag of candy, you are feeling pretty good about the whole endeavor. Then maybe a few moments before the wrapper is discarded, a few last jewels are discovered. You had been perfectly content with what you have been given- but look hear…one or two delicious morsels you never expected, never even asked for, are there for you to enjoy before it all goes away, and those will be the best tasting morsels of life you have ever had. That would be pretty cool.