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“For so many, instead of looking for “cause of death” when they expire, we should be looking for “cause of life” when they are still around.”
―Nassim Nicholas Taleb
I added the following quotation to my quote file today just to remind myself of an important truth. It comes from the early/mid 20th century American humorist and newspaper columnist, Robert Benchley…
“Pretending to swoon at grand opera when it really bores you, or pretending to crave Château Neuf du Pape 1921 when you honestly can’t tell the difference between it and cooking sherry 1931, is a form of pretense which is universally recognized. We all practice it in one form or another.”
Robert Benchley, Chips Off the Old Benchley
Oh the things we do to try to fit in and look a part we really aren’t.
But here’s what’s sadder…
There really are people so devoted to triviality that they really do swoon at grand operas and really do know the subtle differences between fine wines and crave that difference.
Of course, I can be just as guilty of this as well.
For example, there was a time I got caught up in mastering a video game. I spent hours! And actually got pretty good at it (of course there was always just one more thing to master as they kept dribbling new features out to keep me hooked [and hopefully spend money on].)
What a waste of time!
And of course the expression “wasting time” is just another way to say I wasted my life.
Just kick me and bring me back to my senses!
What about you?
What triviality are you wasting your life on?
The ONE THING for today: Some men die by shrapnel, and some go down in flames, but most men perish inch by inch in play at little games.
So teach us to number our days,
Psalm 90:12
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
About the picture: In August ’25, Sonja and I had the privilege to be a part of a special convention in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (“the UP”). There we met some wonderful people and made new friends. Now that is a good use of one’s time (life).
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