Chapter 2

"You miss all the fun if you obey all the rules." -Katharine Hepburn (The Art of being human, Katharine Hepburn, Page 18, Left margin quote two)

17th Century, Market Scene with a Pick-pocket, France, Louise Moillon

Ever since a young age, we are stubborn and refuse to abide by the rules. Why go home at curfew when you can go ride your bike over the hills? Why miss a party when no one will notice you gone? No one is perfect and sometimes the most enjoyable options are the ones we aren't allowed to do. We need to break from the mold at least slightly or people become bland and just plain mundane. It may lead to people simply being lazy because they only strive for what's asked from them and not what they can achieve. Every person has a unique personality and a nice blend of interests, hobbies, preferences. I may art while you love sports, Or you may like math while I like history. We can not be who we are meant to be if we listen to everything everyone tells us to. 

This quote reminds me of one of my favorite quotes 'Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind.' (Douglas MacArthur, 1962, MacArthur Close-Up, p. 137) . Of course, they both don't refer to all rules, there will always be certain rules that can not be broken, whether they be social or legal depends on where you are from. But you can't hold all rules on a pedestal. 

"Problems are only opportunities in work clothes." -Henry J. Kaiser (The Art of being human, Henry J. Kaiser, Page 24, Left margin quote two) 

~1660-1663, Self-portrait as a Lutenist, Netherlands,, Jan Steen, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum,

I should probably start this off by saying why I chose a photo of a bard. From what is taught about medieval bards they were clever and quick on their feet. Although their job was simply to play music and sing many bards would double as spies or simply seek out problems so they may have the ability to blackmail someone with the issues they caused/shared with the bard. Those charlatans managed to use their charisma to manipulate any situation so that it may benefit them. Immortal? Yes of course but it was a job and they did a rather good job. 

You should never bow your head when under pressure. Look around at your surroundings and see how you can make the best of what you have even if you have to break a few rules.

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family" -Anthony Brandt (The Art of being human, Anthony Brandt, Page 25, Right margin ) 

1579, Scenes from the Life of the Artist's Family, Rome, Federico Zuccari

I take issue with this quote because I can be a rather literal person. Not everyone starts with family some are born to no parents or simply abandoned. We do not always start with family but that does not mean we cannot find our own. An ideal life is to have a kind and supportive family but not everyone is so fortunate.  The family doesn't have to be blood it can be close friends or a significant other. Family can be animals  'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.' (I can't find a proper source for this quote) is a good example of what I'm trying to say. The blood we shed with others forms stronger bonds then family at times. Even when some people start with the family the family you end up with may with a whole different set of people.