The only time we read Esquire magazine is in the dentist’s waiting room where we turn right to the “What I’ve Learned” column: to-the-point, full-of-insight interviews with notable artists, writers, actors, athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs, musicians, scientists, thinkers. Now Esquire’s published a book of 64 of “the best of” from the column called Esquire, The Meaning of Life: Wisdom, Humor, and Damn Good Advice from 64 Extraordinary Lives. We hate the title but think that a compendium of “What I’ve Learned” columns would be the perfect bathroom read: short and illuminating. You can also find an archive of them on Esquire’s site. Here’s some favorite bits we found there:
The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. —Mohammed Ali
Get yourself in trouble. If you get yourself in trouble, you don’t have the answers. And if you don’t have the answers, your solution will more likely be personal because no one else’s solutions will seem appropriate. You’ll have to come up with your own. — Chuck Close
Food is much better off the hand than the fork.–Mario Batali
I could write about failure only because I could deal with it. Most of my work before “Death of a Salesman,” 98 percent of it was a failure. By the time “Willie Loman” came along, I knew how he felt. —Arthur Miller
You practice and you get better. It’s very simple. —Philip Glass
This book is also one of those one-size-fits-all house gifts…appreciated by just about everyone.
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