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Public Zone 公開區 => Bookwyrm 書蟲天地 => Topic started by: chin on 09 March 2009, 04:01:11

Title: Oxymoronica
Post by: chin on 09 March 2009, 04:01:11
Oxymoronica - paradoxical wit and wisdom from history's greatest wordsmiths
by Dr. Nardy Grothe

This is really my kid's book. I only start reading today and only a few pages into the book I read found this gem.

Quote
Poker is a tough way to make an easy living.

Substitute "Poker" with any line of business that seems "easy" probably work. It looks easy only because the observer do not yet have the appreciation of the "hard" part. I think it takes a lot to fully appreciate the paradox.
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: Book_Wyrm on 23 March 2009, 20:18:16
How do you take the fun out of something so funny? :-\ Is it a parent skill? ???
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: chin on 23 March 2009, 22:39:50
How do you take the fun out of something so funny? :-\ Is it a parent skill? ???

Maybe the moral of the story from "Red Scarf Girl"?

The burden of growing up? The lost of innocence?
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: chin on 09 May 2009, 22:04:34
This is a good book to read in the toilet, but don't tell my kids about that...

Another interesting oxymoron. Rings specially true given what happened in the US under George W Bush in the last 8 years.

Quote
The worst government is the most moral.

"This is a provocative observations if there ever was one. Mencken explained himself by adding this further thoughts about government:'One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top, there is no limits to repression.'"

---
Another one on the need for a government with a clear separation of church and state:

Quote
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God's service, when it is violating all His laws.
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: kido on 14 December 2009, 23:56:37
Quote
Poker is a tough way to make an easy living.

When I first read the above, I thought it should meant a lot more if it were read as:

Quote
Joker is a tough way to make an easy living.
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: chin on 16 December 2009, 00:55:17
Every time we play on the golf course, we repeat the mantra that "it takes effort to be effortless."  :(
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: hangchoi on 16 December 2009, 09:53:22
Kido went to driving range with me and yan before. I am sure he knew what you mean "it takes effort to be effortless"..... :D
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: kido on 16 December 2009, 17:42:51
Every time we play on the golf course, we repeat the mantra that "it takes effort to be effortless."  :(

Likewise, the above sentence, replacing golf with anything we played before (or not yet played before) will apply.
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: wongyan on 20 December 2009, 14:29:13
Change is the one never changed.
Title: Re: Oxymoronica
Post by: kido on 30 March 2010, 00:42:52
Suddenly the following lyrics come to my mind:
Quote
變幻才是永恆

Change is the one never changed.