Pithy Aphorisms from the King of Limericks

To some, the Tao of Fred is just an ordinary collection of philosophical limericks. But to me, it’s something as sacred as any scripture. And as with any Holy Text, there’s a chance that it could be misconstrued and convoluted by future generations. So in the interest of preventing such a travesty of non-contextual misinterpretations, I’ve gathered this concise compendium of meaningful maxims.

The following anthology of aphorisms stands apart from my voluminous series of limericks. These maxims move about freely, unbound by the rigid structure of rhyme and meter. At the same time, they express in prose the very same system of beliefs that I’ve articulated elsewhere through poetry and drama.

You may choose to take them at face value. Or you may prefer to take them with a grain of salt. In any case, I thank you for taking the time to give them your full consideration.

An assortment of aphorisms and philosophical postulations

Religion got us into this mess. Only religion can get us out. 

Those who live by the scientific method are destined to die by the scientific method. Those who live by their own imaginations may live on forever.

Success is not reaching your goal, but knowing your purpose.

When you point the telescope into the sky, as Galileo did, you will discover that the Kingdom of Heaven is nowhere to be seen. But when you aim the telescope inward, you will find the greatest Mystery of the universe gazing right back at you.

You can spend all your days in pursuit of eternal life, but if you just stop and listen to your breath, eternity will come to you.

What is God? God is a metaphor for that tenuous relationship between the known and the unknown.

In the vast tapestry of the cosmos, a lifetime is but a single thread, just as fine and frail as the line that separates what is possible from what already is.

Why settle for all or nothing, when you can have all and nothing?

All the world’s a stage; but the real drama unfolds at the inner theater, where a complete cast of characters — hero, hermit, villain, victim, femme fatale — all are vying for the spotlight, competing to play the starring role, conniving to drive the plot for their own inscrutable ends.

The meaning of life is a great white whale. Learn from Captain Ahab and do not allow its pursuit to become your undoing. 

True folly is to mistake net worth for genuine value.

What we call Truths are but stones in a river. Stand firm with one and you will always be safe, you will never get wet, and you will never reach the other side.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can transform reality.

Life is too short to dwell upon all the things that are not.

Those who fear death are like the castaways on a desert island who fear rescue, loath to undergo the change from known suffering to unknown relief.

Further Reading

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