"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

-William James

"In real life, there is real heroism, but its not about saving babies from burning buildings. Its about making an effort, day after day, to be kind to some old people, be patient with some young people, be polite to those who you could get away being rude to. Real life heroism is a marathon, not a sprint."


~ John F. Groom

Is great art out of reach? You can find an emerging artist, a painting, or vase, in your city, for an amount you can afford. The great names are out of your reach. But beauty, without the brand, is not. And the search for beauty will ennoble you.

~ John F. Groom

“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honour; duty; mercy; hope.”

- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

"He plays his tune.Is it beautiful? Are you paying attention? Or do you just want to know if he is famous? Does his fame, or lack thereof, affect the beauty of the song? Can you hear the music, or taste the wine, without knowing the brand?"

~ John F. Groom

“As the body needs physical exercise in order to remain in fit condition, man’s spirit also requires the spiritual exercise derived when he confronts his problems and combats life’s vicissitudes. ”

- William Sahakian and Mabel Lewis Sahakian, describing the philosophy of Epictetus

“I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.”

- Leo C. Rosten (1908-1977)

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945)