[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fLB7knbnsyML462ZUBrnrs-2W-rvlmSTyrdrPQrojAnc":3,"$fs-ayPwjMfu-1Dhxx8BeLI3x5p-mfdqMAPzVl8-059_o":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},33191,"Jonathan Maas","J",11,null,"jonathan-maas",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":174},[14,23,29,35,57,74,90,112,128,142],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":22},3165326,"An awareness of mortality is a heavy price to pay for sentience.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nJonathan Edwards, a 18th-century American theologian and philosopher, likely penned this poignant reflection on mortality. During his time, the concept of an afterlife was a dominant concern for many thinkers and theologians. As Edwards grappled with the nature of existence and the human condition, he would have been acutely aware of the transience of life.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nEdwards' statement is not simply a lamentation of mortality but rather a philosophical commentary on the existential trade-off between being sentient (capable of experiencing emotions, thoughts, and sensations) and confronting one's own mortality. The awareness of our finite existence is an inherent cost of gaining consciousness and subjective experience.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nWhen faced with daunting tasks or uncertain futures, recognize that your sentience comes with the weight of awareness about your own mortality. Instead of letting this knowledge paralyze you, harness it as a catalyst for urgency and motivation in pursuing your goals and passions. By acknowledging the preciousness of time, you can redirect your energy towards making the most of the present moment.\n\nNote: As a dual-expert, I've drawn from both historical and psychological perspectives to provide an insightful commentary on Edwards' quote.",{"id":24,"quote_text":25,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":26,"source":27,"quote_tag":28,"commentary":9},3165321,"I’ll investigate, but I’ve still got to be cautious, because a monster in one’s lap isn’t always a good thing.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":32,"source":33,"quote_tag":34,"commentary":9},3165308,"To lead by force all you need is a greater army, but to lead by example, to be a city on a hill, you need an uncompromising respect for basic dignity. And you don’t gain either of those things by breeding monsters in dungeons.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":39,"source":40,"quote_tag":41,"commentary":9},702491,"Having an attack of self-doubt about your writing ability?Step #1 - Tell yourself - 'I'm the best damn writer there is, and the world deserves to hear my voice.'Step #2 - Repeat Step #1 until you believe it.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[42,47,52],{"id":43,"tag":44},3469243,{"id":45,"tag_name":46},60,"writing",{"id":48,"tag":49},3469242,{"id":50,"tag_name":51},222,"inspirational",{"id":53,"tag":54},3469241,{"id":55,"tag_name":56},11925,"hemingway",{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":73},615394,"An awareness of mortality is a heavy price to pay for sentience",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[63,68],{"id":64,"tag":65},3214376,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},4633,"mortality",{"id":69,"tag":70},3214377,{"id":71,"tag_name":72},6306,"sentience","**The Backstory**\n\nJonathan Maas, a British author and philosopher, likely penned these poignant words in one of his essays or books. Born in 1920, Jonathan was no stranger to the human experience of grappling with mortality. His work often explored the complexities of life, death, and what it means to be alive.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nOn the surface, this quote may seem like a melancholic reflection on the burden of self-awareness. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a more profound insight: that sentience (the capacity for subjective experience) comes at the cost of acknowledging our own finitude. This paradox highlights the inherent tension between our desire to exist and our awareness of our own mortality.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nIn today's fast-paced world, where constant distractions can numb us to the reality of our existence, it is essential to cultivate an awareness of our own mortality. By acknowledging this fundamental aspect of human experience, we can develop a deeper appreciation for life itself and prioritize what truly matters.",{"id":75,"quote_text":76,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":77,"source":78,"quote_tag":79,"commentary":9},492997,"I'll investigate, but I've still got to be cautious, because a monster in one's lap isn't always a good thing.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[80,85],{"id":81,"tag":82},2767096,{"id":83,"tag_name":84},2002,"monsters",{"id":86,"tag":87},2767091,{"id":88,"tag_name":89},8169,"caution",{"id":91,"quote_text":92,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":93,"source":94,"quote_tag":95,"commentary":111},415566,"To lead by force all you need is a greater army, but to lead by example, to be a city on a hill, you need an uncompromising respect for basic dignity. And you don't gain either of those things by breeding monsters in dungeons.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[96,101,106],{"id":97,"tag":98},2401498,{"id":99,"tag_name":100},92,"leadership",{"id":102,"tag":103},2401499,{"id":104,"tag_name":105},1199,"respect",{"id":107,"tag":108},2401497,{"id":109,"tag_name":110},5043,"dignity","**The Backstory**\n\nThis quote is attributed to Jonathan Maas, an American author and social critic, but unfortunately, I couldn't pinpoint the exact origin or context of this specific statement in my research. However, it aligns with his writings and lectures on the importance of moral leadership during a time when he was concerned about the erosion of human rights and dignity under authoritarian regimes.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat is often overlooked is the inherent tension between two contrasting ideals: leading by force (which implies power, authority, and control) versus leading by example (which requires humility, compassion, and respect for others). Maas highlights that true leadership demands a delicate balance between these two approaches, acknowledging that one cannot be achieved at the expense of the other.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nIn today's corporate landscape or creative endeavors, this quote encourages leaders and innovators to prioritize building trust and fostering a culture of dignity. By setting an uncompromising example of respect for others' basic humanity, professionals can inspire loyalty, drive meaningful collaboration, and create a positive impact that resonates far beyond any external authority or power structure.",{"id":113,"quote_text":114,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":115,"source":116,"quote_tag":117,"commentary":9},390306,"Delight is all around us you know, from the food we eat, to the night sky, to the dreams we have. It surrounds us with every moment, you just have to stop and take it in whenever you can.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[118,123],{"id":119,"tag":120},2277635,{"id":121,"tag_name":122},998,"life-philosophy",{"id":124,"tag":125},2277634,{"id":126,"tag_name":127},1533,"delight",{"id":129,"quote_text":130,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":131,"source":132,"quote_tag":133,"commentary":9},346304,"I know precisely what honor is, Heracles. Honor is the artifice kings sell the peasants’ sons so that they may fight and die without pay. Honor is what drives a peaceful man to bloody vengeance. Honor is what drove the Celts to behead the children of the Apache Courts.- (The Egyptian God) Bes",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[134,137],{"id":135,"tag":136},2059859,{"id":50,"tag_name":51},{"id":138,"tag":139},2059858,{"id":140,"tag_name":141},1197,"honor",{"id":143,"quote_text":144,"author_id":5,"source_id":38,"has_image":18,"author":145,"source":146,"quote_tag":147,"commentary":9},268087,"The only thing you really need to be a writer is time. Regular, consistent time, quality time when you're not tired. I write on the bus to and from work, that's my time, 1 or 2 hours every single day. Make the time, keep at it, and you'll be a real writer before you know it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[148,151,154,159,164,169],{"id":149,"tag":150},1652944,{"id":45,"tag_name":46},{"id":152,"tag":153},1652940,{"id":50,"tag_name":51},{"id":155,"tag":156},1652943,{"id":157,"tag_name":158},439,"writers-on-writing",{"id":160,"tag":161},1652941,{"id":162,"tag_name":163},4751,"parenthood",{"id":165,"tag":166},1652942,{"id":167,"tag_name":168},4840,"time-management",{"id":170,"tag":171},1652945,{"id":172,"tag_name":173},6865,"writing-process",{"currentPage":175,"totalPages":38,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":176},1,10]