Justin
Justin asked Dave Schaafsma:

Can you share any precepts/maxims that help you be the person you'd like to be?

Dave Schaafsma I was once an assistant coach for a high school track team, tasked with posting inspirational quotations in the locker room for my aspiring athletes. I did this, writing the phrases on index cars in colorful magic markers. I have no idea if anyone ever looked at them.

I am not looking anything up now, so could find things that have inspired me, I am sure, but the first thing that occurs to me seems obscure, maybe. John Dewey said it: "Democracy begins in conversation," This philosopher wrote more than 90 books, was notoriously long-winded, but he summarizes all of his works in 4 words. You have to talk with others, and that means listening. This is relevant for relationships in your personal and professional lives. I can tell you that I have learned from NOT listening as much as from listening.

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