“It is better to suffer an injustice than to commit one.”

– Socrates

Source: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/918509

     The best way to arrive at knowledge is through a process of questioning the people, ideas, and world around you, comparing any (or all) available data, eliminating any useless or untrue information, and ultimately (if possible) gaining first-hand experience of a subject.  Will power is needed to seek knowledge in the first place and to implement any useful knowledge once it is attained.  The best use of knowledge is to use it to help understand the nature of a thing (whatever object you decide upon) and to then use this knowledge to free yourself from anything that impedes your will.  (Ironically, this process works equally for both noble and sinister objectives.)  The level of freedom an individual attains correlates directly with the amount of will exerted and knowledge grasped, which then correlates with a person’s overall happiness in life.  The more free a person is, the happier they tend to be.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 16)

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

     “Begin at once to live, and count each day as a separate life.”

– Seneca

Source: https://www.quotenova.net/authors/seneca-the-younger/x9vv4a

     …Right thinking is necessary to acquire happiness and freedom.  Therefore, knowledge is the key to understanding.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 16)

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

     A drunk man who smelled like beer sat down on a subway seat next to a priest. The man’s tie was stained his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

     After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, “Say, Father, what causes arthritis?” “My Son, it’s caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol and a contempt for your fellow man.” Well, I’ll be damned,” the drunk muttered, returning to his paper. The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?”

     “I don’t have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does”.

Source: http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Spiritual_Humor.html

     Think outside of the box, without boundaries.  Question every belief you’ve ever had, and any new ideas you encounter along the way.  Become a freethinker, and evaluate/re-evaluate what you know while putting every thought and idea through certain tests or filters.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 14)

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

     “Make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.”

– Epictetus

Source: https://tinybuddha.com/wisdom-quotes/make-the-best-use-of-what-is-in-your-power-and-take-the-rest-as-it-happens/

     To free your mind you must be able to see yourself and the people and world around you without any ego, desires, or attachments.  It requires a new perspective on old ideas.

— Excerpted from The Truth as I See It: A Collection of Spiritual Writings by Adam Soto (p. 14)

Copyright 2018 Golden Rule Independent Publications

     “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Source: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/abraham_lincoln_109279

     A traveling preacher finds himself in a tremendous rainstorm. Within a few hours the hotel he is staying in is flooded. As the water rises, the preacher climbs to the roof and starts praying. “Lord, save me so I can continue on my mission of preaching your gospel.”

          Just then, a coast guard rescue party floats by in a rowboat. “Let’s go mister, into the boat!”

     “I’ll stay here,” says the preacher. “The Lord will save me.”

     An hour later a second boat reaches the scene and the water is close to the roof of the hotel. “Sir, you better get in the water is still rising.”

     “No thanks. The Lord will be my salvation.”

     Toward evening, the hotel is almost completely under water and the preacher is clinging to the satellite dish on the roof. A helicopter is spotted and on a loudspeaker is heard: “Sir, grab on to the line and we will pull you up. This is your last chance.”

     “I’m all right,’ says the preacher, “I know the Lord will provide sanctuary.”

     As the helicopter departs, the satellite dish is hit by lightning and the preacher is killed.

     When he arrives at the Pearly Gates he is furious. “What happened?” he shouts. “I thought the Lord would provide!?”

     Moments later a thunderous voice is heard: “Give me a break. I sent you two boats and a chopper!”

Author: Unknown

I searched and found this story on many internet sites, but never found a source.  Here’s a link to one site that had it posted:

Source: https://khamneithang.wordpress.com/2014/07/22/lessons-from-the-traveling-preacher/