Aphorisms by Marty Rubin
Posted on March 16, 2009
Filed Under Aphorisms | 20 Comments
Marty Rubin explains the point of his aphorisms (as well as the point of aphorisms in general) very well, so I hereby quote him at length: “Since childhood I’ve been intrigued by the question: What is happiness? And also: What is death? The answer to these two questions sent me down the road of philosophy. That road I’ve found, at least for me, is not a serious but a whimsical one, full of ironies, jokes, contradictions, fragmentary thoughts, clever, perverse, mystifying, exasperating, irreverent and playful reflections. Writing aphorisms I am able to participate in this delightful game, pursuing freedom and wisdom down all the blind alleys of language and thought toward that inevitable dead end.” If we are indeed headed inevitably down a dead end at the dizzying speed of thought, then we might as well enjoy the ride. So here are some of Marty Rubin’s clever, perverse, mystifying, exasperating, irreverent and playful reflections:
Language—a mirror in front of a window.
Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they’ll be pleasantly surprised.
If there’s war in heaven and peace in hell, then hell’s the place to be.
If you need a second to think, it’s too late.
Loud applause is enough to make any speaker doubt himself.
Rain is the picnic when it rains.
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20 Responses to “Aphorisms by Marty Rubin”
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Medical terms are Greek, culinary ones French.
Socialism was a solecism he could not endure.
The aphorist composes in a shorthand of the spirit.
Aphorisms: thoughts that laugh at themselves.
You can always count on God to do nothing.
My morning rambles in the park will never make the history books.
In the Middle Ages everyone believed in God. Now they believe in Love.
Does it really matter who the fastest runner is?
The wages of sin is a little more freedom.
Enough is enough. And sometimes even that’s too much.-Marty Rubin
I enjoyed lanuage a mirror in front of the window. Thanks Marty.
Marty,
Very much enjoy your aphorisms and appreciate your aphoresponses to mine. Thanks! Eric
Birds don’t fly because they’re in a hurry.
Greetings Marty,
Have you heard or read that “Common sense is not so common.”
Regards
Seamas Daly.
Hi Seamas,
Yes, Voltaire is usually credited with that remark. Are you testing my knowledge of aphorisms or trying to make a point?
Regards
Marty Rubin
How old, Marty Rubin?
Dear Marty,
Do you ever have the courage to laugh at yourself—seriously? I do it all the time—I find it clears the tubes!
Some nice aphorisms these, here, there, and everywhere – sort of mellow-like…sometimes maybe a bit too much like overly sugary marshmallows even: But then when one does “go for it” with the hard-ball, one always goes for the money-shot along with it. Personally, I don’t like to do “aphorisms” much, as nowadays it’s seen as being a bit “eccentric”, or even a bit “weird”, but I’m stuck with it now…. As that famous writer once said, “Be wary of cultivating this delicate art!” – As it’s a doozy!
Drew-thanks for the comment. Can’t help the sugary marshmallow stuff-I try to tart it up sometimes-but that seems to be my real personality shining through. Have to be true to that voice. Always enjoy your serpentine paradoxes and plays on words. I guess we are stuck with this “eccentric” art, but I don’t take any of it too seriously.
The sheep of dejection are greater than the camels of delineation.
[...] poignant, Zen-inflected aphorisms. I’ve blogged about Marty’s aphorisms before (click here to read that post) and for more of Marty’s musings, check out his blog: Out Of Context: [...]
[...] blogged about Marty Rubin’s aphorisms twice before, in 2009 and in 2011. Marty needs no introduction to regular readers of this blog, so I’ll let his [...]
Thanks, Marty. It’s never too late to learn that, if you need a second to think, it’s too late. Can we continue this later?
Sorry, John, that would be too late.
It’s never too late to be sorry, Marty. So: Sorry, Marty. Later, John
The most persuasive argument is the one you can avoid.
[...] blogged about Marty Rubin’s aphorisms thrice before, in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Here’s a few more recent aphorisms, from Out of Context: pieces of a [...]