Imported from GratefulJinx77/tai (
.tai/skills/utilities/Aphorisms/SKILL.md). Install upstream withnpx skills add GratefulJinx77/tai --skill Aphorisms. Copyright stays with the author.
---name: Aphorismsdescription: CRUD on user's curated aphorism collection — search by theme, add with metadata, research thinkers, match quotes to newsletter content. USE WHEN aphorism, quote, saying, find quote for newsletter, research thinker quotes, add aphorism, search aphorisms, find aphorism.---## Workflow RoutingWhen executing a workflow, output this notification directly:Running the **WorkflowName** workflow in the **Aphorisms** skill to ACTION...| Request Pattern | Route To ||---|---|| Find aphorism, quote for newsletter, match aphorism, suggest quote, aphorism recommendation | Workflows/FindAphorism.md || Add quote, add aphorism, save quote, new aphorism, store quote | Workflows/AddAphorism.md || Research thinker, find quotes from, what did X say, thinker quotes on | Workflows/ResearchThinker.md || Search aphorisms, find quotes on, quotes about, quotes matching, what aphorisms | Workflows/SearchAphorisms.md |---## When to Activate This Skill### Direct Aphorism Requests- "find aphorism", "find a quote", "find quote for X"- "search aphorisms", "search quotes", "look up quote"- "what aphorism", "which quote", "perfect quote for"- "suggest aphorism", "recommend quote", "match quote to"- "aphorism for newsletter", "quote for blog post", "quote for article"### Database Management- "add aphorism", "add quote", "save this quote"- "new aphorism", "include quote", "store this"- "update aphorism database", "manage quotes"### Research & Discovery- "research [thinker] quotes", "find [author] aphorisms"- "what did [philosopher] say about", "quotes from [thinker]"- "Hitchens quotes", "Feynman wisdom", "Spinoza aphorisms"- "Sam Harris on [topic]", "David Deutsch quotes"### Theme-Based Search- "aphorisms about [theme]", "quotes on [topic]"- "show quotes about resilience", "wisdom on learning"- "stoic quotes", "quotes matching [keyword]"### Newsletter Workflow Integration- User working on newsletter and needs aphorism- Mentions "newsletter" + "quote" or "aphorism"- Content analysis for quote matching- Avoiding previously used quotes### Use Case Indicators- Need wisdom quote to open/close newsletter- Want thematically relevant aphorism- Building quote collection- Researching philosopher's ideas- Managing aphorism library---## Core Capabilities### 1. Intelligent Quote MatchingAnalyze newsletter or article content to find the perfect thematic aphorism:- Extract key themes from content- Match themes to aphorism database- Consider tone and style alignment- Avoid recently used quotes- Provide multiple options with rationale### 2. Comprehensive DatabaseCurated collection organized by:- Author - Thinkers aligned with TELOS philosophy- Theme - Categories like resilience, learning, stoicism, risk, progress- Context - Background on quote origin and meaning- Usage History - Track which quotes used in which newsletters### 3. Thinker ResearchDeep research on key philosophers:- Christopher Hitchens - Rationality, skepticism, intellectual honesty- David Deutsch - Knowledge creation, optimism, explanations- Sam Harris - Rationality, meditation, free will, morality- Baruch Spinoza - Ethics, reason, freedom, nature- Richard Feynman - Curiosity, scientific thinking, doubt, clarity### 4. Theme-Based OrganizationAphorisms categorized by themes matching user content:- Work Ethic & Excellence - Craft, mastery, high standards- Resilience & Strength - Adversity, persistence, growth- Learning & Education - Curiosity, continuous improvement- Stoicism & Control - Internal locus, acceptance, discipline- Risk & Action - Courage, failure, experimentation- Wisdom & Truth - Rationality, evidence, honest inquiry---## Database StructureLocation: .tai/skills/aphorisms/Database/aphorisms.mdCurrent Collections:1. Initial Collection (Rahil Arora) - 15 curated quotes covering core themes2. Thinkers Aligned with TELOS - Sections for Hitchens, Deutsch, Harris, Spinoza, Feynman (to be populated)3. Theme Index - Quick reference by category4. Newsletter Usage History - Tracking to avoid repetitionMetadata Per Aphorism:- Full quote text- Author attribution- Theme tags- Context and background- Source reference (when available)---## Available Workflows### Quote Discovery & Matchingfind-aphorism.md - Intelligent newsletter content analysis- Analyze content themes and tone- Search database for thematic matches- Consider usage history- Provide top 3-5 recommendations with rationale- Include quote, author, and why it fits### Database Managementadd-aphorism.md - Structured quote addition- Accept quote text and author- Extract or assign themes- Add context and background- Update theme index- Validate uniqueness### Research Operationsresearch-thinker.md - Deep thinker research- Research specific philosopher's relevant quotes- Focus on TELOS-aligned themes- Add quotes to appropriate database section- Include context and sources- Update theme index### Search & Discoverysearch-aphorisms.md - Theme and keyword search- Search by theme, keyword, or author- Return matching aphorisms- Sort by relevance or usage- Provide context for each result---## Integration Points### Newsletter Content Skill- Automatic aphorism suggestions when creating newsletter- Theme analysis from newsletter content- Usage tracking for variety### Research Skill- Deep thinker research capabilities- Web research for quote verification- Source attribution and context### Writing Skill- Blog post quote recommendations- Story explanation enhancement- Content opening/closing quotes---## Key Thinkers & Philosophy Alignment### Why These Thinkers?All five thinkers align with TELOS themes of wisdom, rationality, truth-seeking, and human flourishing:Christopher Hitchens- Intellectual honesty and skepticism- Question everything, follow evidence- "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence"David Deutsch- Optimistic epistemology - problems are solvable- Knowledge creation through criticism- Emphasis on explanations, not just predictionsSam Harris- Scientific rationality applied to ethics- Importance of reason and evidence- Mindfulness and self-awarenessBaruch Spinoza- Ethics based on reason- Freedom through understanding- Reality acceptance and wisdomRichard Feynman- Curiosity-driven learning- Doubt as a tool for knowledge- Clarity of thought and explanation- Scientific honesty### Research Priority1. Immediate: Analyze previous newsletters for aphorism patterns2. Phase 1: Research Hitchens and Feynman (most quotable, clear style)3. Phase 2: Research Harris and Deutsch (contemporary, relevant)4. Phase 3: Research Spinoza (historical, philosophical depth)---## Usage Examples### Example 1: Finding Aphorism for NewsletterUser: "I'm writing a newsletter about overcoming setbacks in AI research. Find me a good aphorism."Skill Response:1. Analyze themes: resilience, adversity, persistence, progress2. Search database for matching themes3. Recommend top 3 options: - Rocky Balboa quote (direct, powerful on getting hit and moving forward) - Bob Marley quote (strength through necessity) - Marcus Aurelius quote (stoic control focus)4. Provide rationale for each### Example 2: Adding New QuoteUser: "Add this quote: 'The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.' - Dorothy Parker"Skill Response:1. Parse quote and author2. Identify themes: curiosity, learning, passion3. Add to database with context4. Update theme index5. Confirm addition### Example 3: Researching ThinkerUser: "Research David Deutsch quotes about knowledge and optimism"Skill Response:1. Research Deutsch's works (The Beginning of Infinity, The Fabric of Reality)2. Extract relevant quotes on knowledge creation and optimism3. Add to database with source attribution4. Organize by theme5. Report findings### Example 4: Theme SearchUser: "Show me all aphorisms about learning and education"Skill Response:1. Search database for learning/education theme2. Return matching quotes: - Gandhi (live/learn) - Krishnamurti (lifelong learning) - Confucius (learning + thinking) - Aaron Swartz (curiosity)3. Provide context for each---## Best Practices### Quote Selection for Newsletter1. Match tone - Ensure quote tone aligns with newsletter content2. Thematic relevance - Direct connection to main themes3. Avoid repetition - Check usage history4. Provide variety - Rotate between authors and themes5. Context matters - Consider whether reader needs background### Database Maintenance1. Verify accuracy - Check quote text and attribution2. Add context - Include source and background when possible3. Theme consistently - Use established theme categories4. Track usage - Update history to avoid overuse5. Quality over quantity - Curate, don't just collect### Thinker Research1. Primary sources - Prefer direct quotes from books/speeches2. Context critical - Include enough background for understanding3. Avoid misattribution - Verify quote authenticity4. TELOS alignment - Focus on wisdom, rationality, truth-seeking5. Practical wisdom - Quotes should be actionable or profound---## Future Enhancements### Planned Features1. Automatic theme detection - ML-based content analysis2. Quote recommendation engine - Collaborative filtering based on past selections3. Integration with previous newsletters - Analyze historical aphorism usage patterns4. Expanded thinker research - Add more philosophers aligned with TELOS5. Mood/tone matching - Match quote emotional tone to content6. Quote formatting - Auto-format for newsletter style### Long-term Vision- Comprehensive wisdom library covering all content needs- Predictive recommendations based on newsletter draft- Historical analysis of most impactful quotes- Community contributions (vetted)- Integration with other writing workflows---## Quick ReferenceMost Used Commands:- "Find aphorism for this newsletter" → Analyze content and recommend- "Add this quote" → Add to database with metadata- "Research [thinker] quotes" → Deep research and database population- "Search aphorisms about [theme]" → Theme-based searchDatabase Location:.tai/skills/aphorisms/Database/aphorisms.mdCurrent Collection Size:- 15 initial quotes (Rahil Arora collection)- 5 thinker sections (to be populated)- 12+ theme categoriesKey Thinkers:Hitchens, Deutsch, Harris, Spinoza, Feynman---## Related Skillsnewsletter-content - Newsletter creation and content suggestionsresearch - Web research and content analysiswriting - Blog post and content creationpersonal - User's philosophy and values context---Last Updated: 2025-11-20