Sometimes you read a sentence or two that just have clarity, that state something so fundamental that they just ring like a bell.
Here’s one I just came across, in a nonfiction book called “Kicking the Sacred Cow” by sci-fi writer James P. Hogan:
For unmastered passions enslave us to those who control what we imagine will satisfy them.
This one rang so true in me that I had to share it here.
Respectfully,
–James
Does it count if we can’t remember where the quote came from? The reason I ask is that I believe this quote is equally true:
The sky is blue.
or if you want to get really deep, how about:
No matter where you go, there you are.
djm
Ouch! 
I promise I didn’t mean to step on any toes here.
There was no other purpose for my posting this than to share something that I read and thought was well written and very clearly expressed a fundamental truth.
No offense intended, ok?
–James
Not offended, just thought it was blatantly obvious. Isn’t this how marketers (marketeers?) control our lives in every aspect?
djm
Not everyone has acheived cynical enlightenment yet. Many people practice
Buddhism for years without coming to terms with what James quoted. Hell,
the entirety of Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Blah, Blah, Blah is painfully obvious,
but despite that, the sucker was a NYTimes bestseller.
That looks like an interesting book, James. I might have to read that.
I saw an article the other day (I think it was in PopSci) about a
Theoretical Physicist who was annoyed that scientists have latched
onto String Theory so hard, despite recent evidence that it might be
very wrong. He was not trying to get anyone to abandon the theory,
rather he wanted people to start exploring other Unification Theories
and putting some grant money into non-Stringy experiments, but he
kept running into this zealotry from the String Theorists, which
surprised him. Science is supposed to be more open minded than
that, he thought. I’m sure the same thing happens in Biology,
Linguistics (Chomskyism seems like a cult sometimes), and definitely
Archeology (think about the scene in Stargate where the scientist gets
laughed off the stage for daring to disagree with a respected member
of the field – that actually happens a lot).
I think one reason this sentence rang like a bell for me is that I have by no means come to terms with the truth of it…though I’m working on it.
Before I was married, I measured the progress of my life in terms of the aquisition of newer and better things.
Since my marriage, I am finding that my rule of measure has been changing. There is still that part of me that is a rampant consumer, but there are also new values in place that value security, having the ability to deal with an unplanned emergency, having the resources to deal with a lay-off, etc.
I think that’s part of love, when you place someone else’s long-term happiness and security over your own short-term gratification.
–James
It’s an excellent book…I read most of it in a day. Some of his points I agree with, and some I don’t, but it’s definitely a must-read for those who value freedom of inquiry.
–James
I got confused by the “For” at the start of the quote, and had to read the thing several times to understand it.
To me this makes it sound like there should be more preceding it. Take it away and the quote, as it stands, makes more sense.
It seems to me a somewhat awkward construction.
Interesting quote. The sentence structure reminds me a little of the old Kahlil Gibran writings, or better, the take-off on it “The Profit” by “Kellogg Albran,” with “mystical, hard-to-understand drawings.” Wish I still had my copy - it was hilarious.
Susan
Well, it’s the last sentence in a paragraph. I am posting it out of context because I felt its meaning was deeper (at least to me) than anything else in that paragraph. Not that it was a bad paragraph, but that sentence is outstanding precisely because it is so true, irregardless of context.
All my own opinion, of course: you mileage may vary, do not eat, there are no consumer-repairable parts, may cause indigestion, do not inhale, may cause dizziness or tired eyes, yada yada yada… 
–James
The](http://www.amazon.com/Albrans-Martin-Sheldon-Shaket-Albran/dp/B000B1B9F8/sr=1-2/qid=1159455274/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-6197505-9390369?ie=UTF8&s=books%22%3EThe) Profit by Kehlog Albran - It appears to be still available (note spelling of author’s name). I am enticed. I may have to buy it.
djm
I bought the book some 30 years ago and misplaced it or discarded it a few years later, so I’m surprised I wasn’t further off the mark than I was! Yikes! I wouldn’t pay $12.00 for it. It’s just a silly little take-off thing, good for a laugh.
I found a second listing (Amazon always behaves strangely for me). I am getting a used copy for $3.84.
djm
So true. But, ya know, life without a couple of unmastered
passions would be pretty drab.
For the home life is good
And orgies are vile,
But we all need an orgy
Once in a while.
Ogden Nash.
The great human skill lies not in meeting needs, but in creating needs.
There are books which have struck me like a lightning bolt. Experience has shown me that other people do not regard them in the the same way. They will trigger a chain of thought if you are in a particular frame of mind, in a certain set of circumstances. Otherwise, they are just a good read. Sometimes they are not even that.
I’m glad you had the sensation with your book, Peeplj.
I’m sorry that it doesn’t communicate, but that’s life.
It’s not worth saying much more than “I really enjoyed that book, and I think you will too.”
ice cream!
You too 
?
Ain’t it the truth!?!