Values of the Wise
 Jason Merchey
 (Guest Reviewer - Judine Bishop Slaughter)
 2003 Infinity Publishing
 ISBN: 074141399X

Profound & Witty Words of Wisdom from the Greatest Minds.

Guest Reviewer Judine Bishop Slaughter writes:

Imagine being in a room with the greatest leaders in the world. You want to capture the most knowledge, but you only have two minutes to spend with each of them. Since time is of the essence, you quickly ask for their opinion on any subject, in approximately 30 words or less. Their words would come from wisdom. &, “Wisdom comes alone through suffering.” - Aeschylus (pg. 164)

Values of the Wise is a collection of such words from philosophers, celebrities, famous writers & politicians. The quotations are compiled into fifteen themes for the reader to peruse the maturity of wisdom, depending on their inspirational nourishment. There are values from people of all cultures -- Confucius, Maya Angelou, Will Rogers, Publilius Syrus, Job, Kalil Gibran, to name just a few.

Their words can transform the way we think as we incorporate their ideals into our belief system. “I am a part of all I have met.” - Alfred, Lord Tennyson (pg. 314)

Jason Merchey shows no favoritism for his selection of quotations. “Rather, I quote him [Hitler] to elucidate the nature of his belief system, in hopes that by doing so the reader will be better able to determine not only what they believe, but why.” (pg. iii)

The diversity of sentiments supplies a challenging reference for life's common problems. I recommend Values of the Wise to anyone seeking answers for a deeper way to understand themselves & others. “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” - Albert Einstein (pg. 22)

After earning a Master of Science in Psychology at The California State University, Fullerton, Jason Merchey moved to San Diego where he has since been studying & practicing psychotherapy & family therapy. He has interned at a community clinic for the indigent, & is currently focusing on Bowen Family Systems Theory. Two issues that intrigue him are domestic violence & the search for meaning we all engage in. Jason has always been interested in philosophical, existential, & moral issues. An affinity for language, crossed with such humanistic interests, naturally led to a desire to catalogue the quotations he collected throughout the years - hence Values of the Wise.
(08/10/03)

Guest Reviewer - Judine Bishop Slaughter
2002©Judine Bishop Slaughter