Quotes of the Day 40: Trust

Aug '24 (edited) • Self Improvement & Motivation

Quote 1: “You will become way less concerned with what other people think of you when you realize how seldom they do.” - David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest

Quote 2: “A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.” - Benjamin Franklin

Infinite Jest was written by David Foster Wallace and published on February 1st, 1996. The book is a combination of tragedy and comedy (technically it is an encyclopedic novel) about the pursuit of happiness in America. The book is set in an addicts’ house and a tennis academy which features a messed up family where Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. have merged to form the North American supercontinent, the Organization of North American Nations. Not only that, but corporations now have control to name the calendar year (which is frankly a horrible idea) and the majority of this book takes place during “The Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment”. Of course, the book also has a political side as “clean freak” President Johnny Gentle has cleaned America by making the Northeast a hazardous dump called the “Great Concavity”. The book explores the concept of entertainment and what it is. Entertainment has come to dominate our lives and our desire for entertainment affects almost every aspect of our life from who we meet, to what we believe, what pleasures us, and who we are. The book perfectly balances its philosophical parts with its comedic section while being an epic work of fiction which still remains entertaining (funnily enough considering the theme). The book challenges the idea of the passions and hobbies we create that make us, us, while offering an answer. The title from the book actually came from a line from “Hamlet” and another title offered for the book was “A Failed Entertainment”.

Infinite Jest’s quote reminds us that we should not ever be concerned with what people think of us. We know who we are and the real people close to us are the only people who are important enough to have an opinion on us. On top of that, people really aren’t watching you as much as you think they are. Basically, trust yourself because you are worth it, you are good enough; if you still don’t believe that you are the best you yet, you don’t need others to judge you as you can improve yourself to improve.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 and died on April 17, 1790. Franklin was the 10th son in a family of 17 children and he was born into a poor artisan family. Franklin ended his formal education at age 10 and was apprenticed by his brother James to learn how to use a printer, during which he taught himself to write. In 1722, Franklin wrote in the New-England Courant newspaper under the pseudonym Silence Dogood. Franklin continued his youthful adventures in London, but he eventually returned and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Franklin's life only grew from there and there’s so much that I’m not even mentioning like the Poor Richard’s Almanac. Franklin was a founding father, printer, publisher, author, inventor, scientist and diplomat. He helped to draft the Declaration of Independence and represented the U.S. in France and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. If that weren’t enough, Franklin also made contributions to sciences—specifically electricity—through his wit and wisdom.

Franklin’s quote (which actually originates from his Poor Richard’s Almanac) reminds us that not everyone out here in the world is good. However, by making a bit more of a metaphorical take on it, the sun is representative of the good times we experience, so these fake friends aren’t there to help us during the bad times where we need the most help and support during our struggles (a similar idea appeared during the Revolutionary war with “Summer Soldiers and Sunshine Patriots; look it up to learn more). Franklin could barely depend on his own family as his brother James held him back instead of pushing him forward to the point that Benjamin Franklin left on his own to become the successful person he is now. We can move past the shadows that drag us down to be the best we can be as we stand alongside those who are important to us in sun, rain, or storms.

I know that today’s quotes were a bit different than usual, but I hope you enjoyed these quotes on trust, for those around you and for yourself. Have a great day everyone!

Want more? Here are the past 3 quotes of the day posts:

Quotes Of the Day 39: The Potential Of Tomorrow

Quotes Of the Day 38: Connection

Quotes Of the Day 37: Adaptation

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