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Ten Eternal Questions: Wisdom, Insight, and Reflection for Life's Journey
"What is your concept of God?"
"What has life taught you so far?"
"Do you believe in an afterlife?"
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS that define us. These are the questions that have engaged the philosophers, prophets, and mytics. The are just three of the Ten Eternal Questions.
World leaders, artists, and scientists have all sat down with Zoë Sallis to discuss these questions. Their views are astonishing in their variety and utterly intriguing. As you read their responses and ponder your own, know that it is these beliefs (not money or status or the car you drive) that say who you really are. And it is by acting on these beliefs that you will change the world around you.
"What has life taught you so far?"
"Do you believe in an afterlife?"
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS that define us. These are the questions that have engaged the philosophers, prophets, and mytics. The are just three of the Ten Eternal Questions.
World leaders, artists, and scientists have all sat down with Zoë Sallis to discuss these questions. Their views are astonishing in their variety and utterly intriguing. As you read their responses and ponder your own, know that it is these beliefs (not money or status or the car you drive) that say who you really are. And it is by acting on these beliefs that you will change the world around you.
- GenresSpirituality
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
11 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2012
This is another book that I use for personal reflection on larger questions of life. It provides perspective and I always feel that perspective is a good thing, especially on the larger questions of life. For the purpose that it serves, I enjoy it.
February 24, 2014
Reading this book brought new views to how others saw the world, what they believed in, their philosophies about life and what brings them peace. It is good to see different views from others, it would be good if we all accepted each other and each others' views. Life would be so much simpler.
November 25, 2025
lovely little book of wisdom.
appreciated seeing how different and how similar people's perspectives can be on such eternal questions.
highlights:
Q - What is your moral code, in relation to right and wrong?
ALBINA DU BOISROUVRAY
'...Whenever there's a path you have to choose, you ask yourself, "Am I going to be courageous or a coward; am I going to act with integrity or dubious motives?" If you choose integrity and courage you are never wrong, it will pay off in the long run whereas the other attitude won't. It's a yardstick by which to go...'
Q - Who do you most admire in this world, historical of living?
DAVID FROST (answered Nelson Mandela)
'... Bill Clinton told me in an interview that he had called Nelson Mandela about two hours after he had walked to freedom and said, "I know you say you are not bitter, but as you walked out of that prison you must have hated the people who had put you there." Nelson Mandela replied, "No, I did not hate them, because if I hated them they would still be controlling me."
Q - Do you believe you have a destiny, and do you see yourself as here to fulfil it?
EMMA SERGEANT
'... Timing is everything. Sometimes you have to be patient so you feel a sense of destiny. One has got to accept when things go wrong, that in fact they're really going right. Then you will understand that there is a rhythm to the world, and if you can follow that rhythm, all things will come to you...'
appreciated seeing how different and how similar people's perspectives can be on such eternal questions.
highlights:
Q - What is your moral code, in relation to right and wrong?
ALBINA DU BOISROUVRAY
'...Whenever there's a path you have to choose, you ask yourself, "Am I going to be courageous or a coward; am I going to act with integrity or dubious motives?" If you choose integrity and courage you are never wrong, it will pay off in the long run whereas the other attitude won't. It's a yardstick by which to go...'
Q - Who do you most admire in this world, historical of living?
DAVID FROST (answered Nelson Mandela)
'... Bill Clinton told me in an interview that he had called Nelson Mandela about two hours after he had walked to freedom and said, "I know you say you are not bitter, but as you walked out of that prison you must have hated the people who had put you there." Nelson Mandela replied, "No, I did not hate them, because if I hated them they would still be controlling me."
Q - Do you believe you have a destiny, and do you see yourself as here to fulfil it?
EMMA SERGEANT
'... Timing is everything. Sometimes you have to be patient so you feel a sense of destiny. One has got to accept when things go wrong, that in fact they're really going right. Then you will understand that there is a rhythm to the world, and if you can follow that rhythm, all things will come to you...'
February 13, 2022
Don't recall how I got this, but apparently thought it would make an interesting nightstand book to maybe help me get to sleep. And it certainly is an interesting idea, with important questions to consider and a very broad range of responses.
But Sallis really would have benefited from a better selection of voices. While some of these are obvious choices - the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Shimon Peres - many more are just Hollywood knuckleheads, so that it's less "who would be the best people to hear from?" and more "who do I know that would be willing to do this?," (Sallis was John Huston's longtime partner). So while I'll cut Bono or even Sharon Stone some slack as maybe having something interesting to say, for many of the others I was like, "Ed Begley Jr.?* Really?"
So 4 stars for concept, but only 2+ for execution, averaging out to a respectably "eh" 3.
* The list also includes such other questionable choices as Harry Dean Stanton, Sophia Loren, Anjeiica Huston (stepdaughter), Jack Nicholson (stepdaughter's friend), guitarist Steve Vai (whose music I love, but...?), several Italian art/film/fashion people, etc.
But Sallis really would have benefited from a better selection of voices. While some of these are obvious choices - the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Shimon Peres - many more are just Hollywood knuckleheads, so that it's less "who would be the best people to hear from?" and more "who do I know that would be willing to do this?," (Sallis was John Huston's longtime partner). So while I'll cut Bono or even Sharon Stone some slack as maybe having something interesting to say, for many of the others I was like, "Ed Begley Jr.?* Really?"
So 4 stars for concept, but only 2+ for execution, averaging out to a respectably "eh" 3.
* The list also includes such other questionable choices as Harry Dean Stanton, Sophia Loren, Anjeiica Huston (stepdaughter), Jack Nicholson (stepdaughter's friend), guitarist Steve Vai (whose music I love, but...?), several Italian art/film/fashion people, etc.
June 22, 2007
This book is a very simple book. It has ten questions that talk about important things in life and it asks some well known people to answer these questions. The answers are listed in the book.
Some of the people questioned in this book are Nelson Mandela, Jack Nicholson, Sharon Stone, Paulo Coelho, Bono, and even the Dalai Lama. There are so many others.
Examples of these questions are:
What is your concept of God?
Do you believe you have a destiny and do you see yourself as here to fulfill it?
What advice or words of wisdom would you like to pass on to those close to you?
Who do you most admire in this world, historical or living?
To be honest, I had expected much more of this book. The answers are sometimes very interesting, but most of the answers just go on and on beating around the bush in a similar fashion until you get bored. This is why it took me a very long time to finish this reading book.
Some of the people questioned in this book are Nelson Mandela, Jack Nicholson, Sharon Stone, Paulo Coelho, Bono, and even the Dalai Lama. There are so many others.
Examples of these questions are:
What is your concept of God?
Do you believe you have a destiny and do you see yourself as here to fulfill it?
What advice or words of wisdom would you like to pass on to those close to you?
Who do you most admire in this world, historical or living?
To be honest, I had expected much more of this book. The answers are sometimes very interesting, but most of the answers just go on and on beating around the bush in a similar fashion until you get bored. This is why it took me a very long time to finish this reading book.
January 10, 2017
My 8 year old daughter bought me this book for Christmas ... I thought she'd bought it because of the ornate cover - but in fact she said she read the back cover and just knew I'd love it!
My daughter wasn't wrong. I've enjoyed reading this book from start to finish in just a few days.
It's a contemplative anthology of personal thoughts and notions from a group of iconic celebrities and renowned figures. (Although if I'm honest I would have liked a little more diversity here).
Due to the short statements, it's a perfect book for a busy lifestyle - as I was able to dip in and out of the book with ease ... although my thoughts regularly strayed for days afterwards.
Definitely worth a read.
My daughter wasn't wrong. I've enjoyed reading this book from start to finish in just a few days.
It's a contemplative anthology of personal thoughts and notions from a group of iconic celebrities and renowned figures. (Although if I'm honest I would have liked a little more diversity here).
Due to the short statements, it's a perfect book for a busy lifestyle - as I was able to dip in and out of the book with ease ... although my thoughts regularly strayed for days afterwards.
Definitely worth a read.
April 17, 2007
inspirational answers!
Read
January 4, 2009Quite interestng, although borderline clichelike
Currently reading
November 4, 2009everything
November 2, 2015
Ormai questo libro l'ho letto qualche anno fa però quando lo lessi mi fece riflettere... è stato curioso vedere le risposte date dai grandi personaggi intervistati dall'autrice :)
April 26, 2011
Un regalo graditissimo
Come al solito ve ne racconterò un pò qui:
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Come al solito ve ne racconterò un pò qui:
http://twilightfandom.wordpress.com
July 27, 2011
It was a little spiritually and a little narrow..
September 15, 2011
wisdom, insights and reflection for life's journey..
June 6, 2014
Great Personalities, Great Minds , Great Thoughts ; Do not think Alike.
July 11, 2014
It was good and insightful at first, but it got boring after a while. Having a different set up may have helped. I learned somethings from it, but I stopped reading the parts that didn't interest me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews