Number 1 makes me think the most. It almost makes me feel like I dodged a bullet. The majority of my life I have worried about "what's next". I have to plan, plan, plan. I can't be caught off guard. But since I've recently retired that feeling is quickly melting away. I'm definitely living more for today for me. It feels good.
We are taught to memorize answers and not question questions…this is very true in so many aspects of life! In nursing school we had to memorize so many things…pharmaceutical things, anatomy, protocols, care plans etc. And there is a place for those things obviously, but there was no questioning things. No thinking when it came to how food affects disease. Now, I question everything until I can figure it out
# 3 & 5 Questions tell us about the questioner and questioning the questions IMO more important that the answers , which rarely answer the question asked
Can’t decide which hits harder—the ideas or the fact that none of these ‘ancient’ nuggets existed before Twitter/X. Nothing like a good misquote to keep us questioning our sources as well as our ‘wellness.’ 😉
Are you trying to participate, communicate or agitate?
I like reading many different opinions but it appears you don’t care for those written here so I am beginning to wonder why you get Common Sense Health and Wellness?
My earlier note wasn’t meant to agitate—only to highlight that the “ancient” quotes in the memes are actually modern inventions. The ideas behind them still matter, but their shaky provenance is a perfect reminder of how easily even thoughtful people can accept claims that feel right.
Because you regularly urge us to “question authority,” I assumed a quick fact-check would fit right in. If it came across as unkind, that wasn’t my intention. I subscribe precisely because I enjoy robust debate; I would imagine that silencing polite dissent would undercut the spirit of inquiry your newsletter tries to promote.
Why not turn this into a teachable moment? Post your favorite anti-vax meme, invite readers to trace its source, fact-check it, and share what they learn. It’s a simple warm-up before we tackle bigger claims about government, pharma, or anything else.
I’m with you—everything should be questioned, and that includes my own posts. The point isn’t to outsource trust to “official fact-checkers,” but to sharpen our own habit of tracing claims to an original source. If a quote that’s billed as ancient vanishes before 2010, that’s information in itself.
Flagging the memes wasn’t a swipe; it was a live demo of the critical-thinking muscle you urge us to build—applied even when the messenger is our favorite doctor. Maybe turn it into a quick exercise: pick one quote, ask readers to find the earliest verifiable appearance, and share the trail. Simple and empowering!
The ideas and the attribution both matter—because context shapes meaning and credibility. When a line is presented as “ancient wisdom,” readers naturally assume it carries the weight of centuries. If it turns out to be a 2014 Tumblr post, the insight may still be useful, but the lesson shifts from timeless truth to modern slogan.
Using authentic, traceable quotes—or simply labeling these as anonymous modern sayings—would give the same message without risking that credibility gap. After all, if we’re urging people to verify bold claims about medicine or policy, showing we verify even the small stuff strengthens the case.
That’s why I flagged it. Not to nit-pick, but to keep the bigger conversation on solid footing.
#3. I get myself into trouble all the time asking questions. We need to teach our children to problem solve, think outside the box, and constantly ask questions!
I like, If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. There is so much to learn out there. You will never know everything, nor should you….. What’s the fun in that? How boring life would be.
All of them are good. I learned the first four the hard way. My favorite writings are from Francois-Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire), for very personal reasons.
The quote that stuck out to me the most was that we are to memorize the answers… Took me back to when I was in college and I was told to do something and I asked why? I said I wanted to know so that I could related to something else if I needed to.
The answer I got from the professor was, don’t worry about why just do it!
I quit college probably within 2 to 3 months after that… I’m more of a hands-on learner. Speaking to the counselors they told me that I was probably right to leave because they don’t teach that way here in the USA.
Number 1 makes me think the most. It almost makes me feel like I dodged a bullet. The majority of my life I have worried about "what's next". I have to plan, plan, plan. I can't be caught off guard. But since I've recently retired that feeling is quickly melting away. I'm definitely living more for today for me. It feels good.
We are taught to memorize answers and not question questions…this is very true in so many aspects of life! In nursing school we had to memorize so many things…pharmaceutical things, anatomy, protocols, care plans etc. And there is a place for those things obviously, but there was no questioning things. No thinking when it came to how food affects disease. Now, I question everything until I can figure it out
# 3 & 5 Questions tell us about the questioner and questioning the questions IMO more important that the answers , which rarely answer the question asked
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
I wouldn’t say one made me think more than the others but number one resonates with me the most
#2 I guess I’ve been in the wrong room most of my life.
Can’t decide which hits harder—the ideas or the fact that none of these ‘ancient’ nuggets existed before Twitter/X. Nothing like a good misquote to keep us questioning our sources as well as our ‘wellness.’ 😉
Andy
Are you trying to participate, communicate or agitate?
I like reading many different opinions but it appears you don’t care for those written here so I am beginning to wonder why you get Common Sense Health and Wellness?
Here is another old saying.
If you don’t have something nice to say…..
Dr. H,
My earlier note wasn’t meant to agitate—only to highlight that the “ancient” quotes in the memes are actually modern inventions. The ideas behind them still matter, but their shaky provenance is a perfect reminder of how easily even thoughtful people can accept claims that feel right.
Because you regularly urge us to “question authority,” I assumed a quick fact-check would fit right in. If it came across as unkind, that wasn’t my intention. I subscribe precisely because I enjoy robust debate; I would imagine that silencing polite dissent would undercut the spirit of inquiry your newsletter tries to promote.
Why not turn this into a teachable moment? Post your favorite anti-vax meme, invite readers to trace its source, fact-check it, and share what they learn. It’s a simple warm-up before we tackle bigger claims about government, pharma, or anything else.
Respectfully,
Andy
Andy
Everything and everyone should be questioned.
However the belief in “Fact Checkers” should also be highly questioned.
I’m with you—everything should be questioned, and that includes my own posts. The point isn’t to outsource trust to “official fact-checkers,” but to sharpen our own habit of tracing claims to an original source. If a quote that’s billed as ancient vanishes before 2010, that’s information in itself.
Flagging the memes wasn’t a swipe; it was a live demo of the critical-thinking muscle you urge us to build—applied even when the messenger is our favorite doctor. Maybe turn it into a quick exercise: pick one quote, ask readers to find the earliest verifiable appearance, and share the trail. Simple and empowering!
I get that.
Is when the quotes were written as important though as what the quote says and the meaning derived from the quote?
The ideas and the attribution both matter—because context shapes meaning and credibility. When a line is presented as “ancient wisdom,” readers naturally assume it carries the weight of centuries. If it turns out to be a 2014 Tumblr post, the insight may still be useful, but the lesson shifts from timeless truth to modern slogan.
Using authentic, traceable quotes—or simply labeling these as anonymous modern sayings—would give the same message without risking that credibility gap. After all, if we’re urging people to verify bold claims about medicine or policy, showing we verify even the small stuff strengthens the case.
That’s why I flagged it. Not to nit-pick, but to keep the bigger conversation on solid footing.
#3. I get myself into trouble all the time asking questions. We need to teach our children to problem solve, think outside the box, and constantly ask questions!
I like, If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. There is so much to learn out there. You will never know everything, nor should you….. What’s the fun in that? How boring life would be.
Number 3. That's what's wrong with society today. We aren't allowed to question the status quo. Independent thinkers are not valued.
I get your last 4 but not sure why you selected the first one
All are great quotes. Number 1 hits home for me. I have lived for what I am going to do instead of living right now.
All of them are good. I learned the first four the hard way. My favorite writings are from Francois-Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire), for very personal reasons.
I can not wait to hear yours!
The quote that stuck out to me the most was that we are to memorize the answers… Took me back to when I was in college and I was told to do something and I asked why? I said I wanted to know so that I could related to something else if I needed to.
The answer I got from the professor was, don’t worry about why just do it!
I quit college probably within 2 to 3 months after that… I’m more of a hands-on learner. Speaking to the counselors they told me that I was probably right to leave because they don’t teach that way here in the USA.
In Europe, yes, here no!!!!