Gentle Criticism

When you find it necessary to criticize another's work, these words by John Wanamaker should prove valuable: "Whatever you have to say to people ...

Bad Motives, Bad Advice

More bad advice emerges from bad motives than from bad judgment.

How to Live to Be 100

So you want to live to be 100. Well, start with this: No smoking, no drinking, no chewing. And always clean your plate.

Accept Wise Counsel

I have heard often that it is safer to accept counsel than to give it. It can even happen that each one's opinion is good, but to be unwilling to ...

Playing Bad Hands

President Dwight Eisenhower described his mother as a smart and saintly lady. "Often in this job I've wished I could consult her. But she is in heaven. ...

Confusing Signs

Doug Lansky has been a travel writer and photographer for many years. In the course of his travels he has collected photos of odd signs from around the ...

Giving Advice

An efficiency expert concluded a lecture with a note of caution: "You don't want to try these techniques at home."

"Why not?" asked someone from the back ...

Journalist David Bloom Ignored Doctors' Warnings

David Bloom, Today Show co-host on weekends, died on April 6, 2003, while covering Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ironically, Bloom did not die from injuries ...

"How to Make an American Quilt": Girl Rejects Mature Counsel

How to Make an American Quilt is the story of Finn (Winona Ryder), a young engaged woman who spends the summer with her grandmother (Anne Bancroft) and ...

James Thurber on Lessons to Learn Before Dying

"All human beings should try to learn, before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why."

—American writer and humorist James Thurber (1894-1961)