摘要：“The wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by quotation.” —Isaac Disraeli1This article offers quotations from philosophers with diverse perspectives—from politics to warfare, from literature to industry, and from the saddle to behind home plate. Mediation as we know it and today’s complex technologies did not exist when they spoke their words. Nonetheless, their sage advice can be applied to resolving modern disputes through mediation just as to battles, geopolitical tensions, thriving in business, or reacquiring horses. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”2 Consider taking Confucius’ less bitter routes to learning about mediation through the hard-earned wisdom of others.
