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Screaming fanatics surrounding me, lights flashing and horns blaring in triumph of the latest play, so excruciatingly exciting but auditoraly severe to those in 113 as if they ever needed to hear, see or think again after seeing the wonderous act of Blake Geoffrion score the winning goal for the unbeatable, indescribable, rabid Badger fans.

Whilst scouring the dark depths before him, nothing so vital had ever lain before him, so life-changingly brilliant as the small black item, that when mastered could entrust the user with powers untold; indeed, no finer sight had grazed his vision than the remote stuffed between the couch cushions.

"Buzz, buzz", the seven forty-five alarm screams for the sleeping student to get up and out of bed until his hand crashes down on the silver snooze button and his head falls back on his drool soaked pillow signaling that he is going to be late for lab today.

Vince Lombardi coined the phrase in the 1950's when he began coaching the Green Bay Packers. As coach, he won many national championships, two super bowls, and even had the super bowl trophy named after him. "Winning isn't everything" is common advice given to athletes with the idea that sportsmanship, lessons learned, and having fun can be more important than winning. Lombardi did not see sports this way. Instead, he made a play on words by making an ironic twist by agreeing that winning isn't everything, but rather so important that nothing else is even considered. This substitution changes a phrase that down plays the importance of winning, to something that puts winning as the absolute most important thing. Many professional athletes have embraced this idea, ignoring their health and reputation to gain a competitive edge. Bankers and politicians have taken this approach as well. Winning is important, but it is not everything.

Confucius plays with the words in a clever way so it could appeal to any trade or any person. Literally, he explains that in order to succeed (at perfection), you must be fully prepared to achieve perfection, such as the possession of the proper tools in the proper condition. Confucius uses inductive reasoning, pulling a broad conclusion from familiarity or observed details, to show that all capacities can be increased from the polishing of their components. His idea is presented as general advice from a trustworthy source, as though he is very comfortable with his hypothesis. The structure is simple, to achieve one goal, you must accomplish the other first. Diction in this phrase isn’t high, but easy and still extensive in its possibilities. His use of the word “perfect” is to show the goal of the workingman or scholar, and “work” represents a range of any task a person, noble or servant, could do. But when speaking of “tools”, he may be referring to the physical tools, such as hammers, pencils, spears, but also mental tools, such as logic and reason. Tools in this context could also mean skills of hunting, blacksmithing, persuasion or debating. To “sharpen” these tools could also mean a variety of trainings, education, instruction or literally sharpening or preparing their physical tools.

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” – Henry Ford
Quotes come and go like trends, long-winded quotes talking about love and the wonders of friendship, or short pithy sayings such as “Just do it,” which can literally mean anything. But on those rarest of occasions, a few words jump out at you and hold you still, igniting your mind and triggering your imagination. They are important words, worthy of consideration. Such is the case with the words spoken by the U.S. automotive industrialist Henry Ford. One of most influential businessmen in history, his reflections about business and life could fill a book, many of them dealing with success and its influence on our lives. This quote is no exception.
Clearly, this quote reflects Ford’s inductive reasoning. The line makes no assumptions, and makes a broad statement that one can apply to any number of situations. Mr. Ford, no doubt, crafted this quote after a lifetime of observing the strengths and weaknesses among individuals, and understanding the benefit of confidence. He took these observations and created his own rule about accomplishment, in the form of this maxim.
The statement is presented without reservation, equivocation, or room for misunderstanding, and relies on its conciseness to spark the imagination of the reader, a simple grain that catalyzes an entire cascade of self-reflection. It induces the idea, so tried and true, that a person is in control of their own destiny, and that belief in oneself is paramount to success. In this way, the phrase subtly invites the reader to examine his or her feelings of empowerment, and, if empowerment is lacking, to realize some guilt. With an inner sense of confidence and self-reliance, half the battle is over, and so much can be accomplished. Without belief in oneself, however, very little is possible. Insecurity and self-doubt often give way to guilt around squandered opportunities. Ultimately, this quote is meant to inspire those lacking confidence, and enhance the confidence of those already on their way to success.
The power of Mr. Ford’s quote lies in its structure. The repetition of the first two phrases -- differing only by an apostrophe and a “t” -- echoes that the difference between accomplishing a goal and failure, often boils down to something as simple as confidence. Additionally, by giving two possible positions -- thinking you can do a thing, and thinking you can’t do a thing -- and one answer -- you’re right -- Henry Ford implies that the answer doesn’t depend on either position, a powerful point in the structure of the sentence. So often, people are led to believe that their thinking is right or wrong, black or white. Rarely do you find an instance where, no matter what you think, you’re right. Additionally, this structure also adds a bit of ironic humor, as its single answer surprises the reader.
Often, the most meaningful advice is given in plain language. Such is the case with this quote, as it employs an unsophisticated level of colloquial words, allowing for a straightforward message. Yet, the depth of advice that can be extracted from this simple quote is loaded with meaning. When clichéd phrases about personal empowerment and inner drive are so common they have little meaning (“Shoot for the stars” comes to mind), Ford’s maxim manages to avoid these murky depths, generating a clear, forceful, and credible message.
A quote that manages this much insight, conveying an important idea with the simplest turn of language and phrase, deserves a great deal of respect, particularly when it hails from someone as distinguished as Henry Ford. Rarely does advice come along and speak to us so personally. Using witty structure and dry humor, Ford managed to pack as much, and perhaps more, into these few words as he did into his Model T’s.

I love this quote because it is simply brilliant! It is among one of the many witty thoughts that could subtly bring a knowing smile on your face --we all have had the moments with a forced shrug saying, “ Well, it was at least good experience.”

The logic seems to be more of a deductive form to me. It starts with a general conclusion that sounds rational and as we put more thoughts on it, it is indeed applicable to many tiny details of our life. You become a great salesman after thousands of job interviews; you learn the knots even though you cannot to set up the sails right; you end up with batter after failing to make a doe. The quote is trying to say that in most parts of life, we cannot get what we intend exactly, but we usually land with something else, or at very least some experience.

The diction level is not necessarily high but the choice of words achieves its effect of revealing a small yet complex truth. The sentence only adopts a few simple words to explicate a light irony that we seldom think about. One might question the quote at first look since both success and failure are considered experience, and I agree. I interpreted the “experience” here as “lesson” rather than simple impression one could get by doing anything. (In fact, I would say “lesson” might be a better choice of word.) Otherwise, it would be pointless since we will get “experience” anyway in everything we do. In a sense, the statement is not entirely true, but the engagement with the deeper meaning of the sentence is delightful that it deems superfluous to criticize the accuracy of it.

The opposition of “get” and “don’t get” works really well to create a sense of humorous irony--- life does not always grant us what we want; on the other hand, it offers a sarcastic feeling of comfort—we are not completely fruitless although things do not go as desired. Moreover, the repetition of words makes the short sentence read like a tiny interesting twister that is easily remembered.

Little we know about this American businessman, Dan Stanford, neither do we know about the context under which he produced this piece of wisdom, but I could imagine it being a deep reflection after his life-long journey of striving for success with millions of attempts, failures and learning. Eventually, the most precious treasure is probably the experience along the way, if nothing else.