15 MAR 2017 by ideonexus
Emulate Water
虛實: 夫兵形象水,水之形,避高而趨下:兵之形,避實而擊虛;水因地而制流,兵因敵而制勝。故兵無常勢,水無常形;能因敵變化而取勝,謂之神。故五行無常勝,四時無常位,日有短長,月有死生。 Weak Points and Strong:...: Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. W...31 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
Predictions of the Future are "Laughably Conservative"
If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run—and often in the short one—the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative.Folksonomies: prescience prediction
Folksonomies: prescience prediction
Not always true, but a nice sentiment.
29 AUG 2011 by ideonexus
Medical Knowledge Comes by the Low Road
There is no short cut, nor 'royal road' to the attainment of medical knowledge. The path which we have to pursue is long, difficult, and unsafe. In our progress, we must frequently take up our abode with death and corruption, we must adopt loathsome diseases for our familiar associates, or we shall never be acquainted with their nature and dispositions ; we must risk, nay, even injure our own health, in order to be able to preserve, or restore that of others.John Abernethy describes how doctors must get their hands dirty and take up "abode with death and corruption" in order to attain medical knowledge.