Interpretive essays on quotes worth keeping — a commonplace book, read and re-read. 2026-08-29T19:19:24.712Z https://commonplace.hower.me/ Lexa 2026-08-29T19:19:24.712Z https://commonplace.hower.me/work-leadership-and-innovation/fairey-on-infiltrating-the-system/ Lexa <p>"Infiltrate the system to generate positive change when it seems possible… We need to get beyond the propaganda. Sometimes I use absurdity to try to demonstrate that. I got it right early on."</p> 2026-08-29T19:19:24.685Z https://commonplace.hower.me/meaning-and-philosophy/everwood-irv-harper-on-the-holy-time/ Lexa <p>"Evelyn Rowser had an expression for the few seconds before the curtain went up. She called it 'the holy time.' But you don't have to be an actor to know what the holy time feels like. It's that breath you take just seconds before you become the person you're…</p> 2026-08-29T12:17:18.574Z https://commonplace.hower.me/living-and-mortality/everwood-irv-harper-on-loss-and-time/ Lexa <p>"When things are working right in the universe, a loss of innocence is usually followed, in time, by an increase in humanity. Time is funny like that. For everything it robs us of, it grants us something. Sometimes it's a new friend, sometimes it's a better un…</p> 2026-08-29T12:17:17.013Z https://commonplace.hower.me/meaning-and-philosophy/everwood-irv-harper-on-snow-and-second-chances/ Lexa <p>"It's not just that snow makes the world pretty. Snow gives us all a second chance. Snow cleanses. Hiding the sins of all with no prejudices, favor or blame. Everything gets to be pure again. If only for a little while. Which might be all you need." — Irv Harp…</p> 2026-08-28T12:19:47.172Z https://commonplace.hower.me/meaning-and-philosophy/epictetus-on-welcoming-events/ Lexa <p>"Don't hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace." — Epictetus, Enchiridion 8 (compiled by Arrian, ca. 125 CE; trans. Robert Dobbin, 2008)</p> 2026-08-28T12:19:37.538Z https://commonplace.hower.me/character-and-self-mastery/everwood-ephram-brown-on-the-smallness-of-change/ Lexa <p>"The more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm not sure who the first person was who said that. Probably Shakespeare, or maybe Sting. But at the moment, it's the sentence that best explains my tragic flaw: my inability to change. I don't think I'm a…</p> 2026-08-27T12:19:25.626Z https://commonplace.hower.me/character-and-self-mastery/epictetus-on-effort-and-acceptance/ Lexa <p>"To make the best of what is in our power, and take the rest as it occurs." — Epictetus, Discourses 1.1.17 (recorded by Arrian, ca. 108 CE; Daily Stoic rendering)</p> 2026-08-27T12:19:18.753Z https://commonplace.hower.me/character-and-self-mastery/epictetus-on-watching-oneself-as-an-enemy/ Lexa <p>"The condition and characteristic of a philosopher is this: he expects all advantage and all harm from himself. The signs of one who is making progress are these: he censures no man, he praises no man, he blames no man, he accuses no man … and in a word he wat…</p> 2026-08-26T12:17:47.820Z https://commonplace.hower.me/character-and-self-mastery/epictetus-on-judgment-and-disturbance/ Lexa <p>"It isn't the events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgements about them." — Epictetus, Enchiridion 5 (compiled by Arrian, ca. 125 CE; Daily Stoic rendering)</p>