Thoughts

J. Hugh Dunk
J. Hugh Dunk
October 15, 2025

Evolving Thoughts

When the pump is primed, it is easier to draw from a depth unseen, but only sensed.

Mannerisms are manners observed by others.

 

Not all claiming to be a brother are legitimate.

When nobody says anything about it, be sure there is more to it.

 

Those telling aren’t telling all.

 

When he said what you wanted to hear, he was credible; but when he said what you didn’t want to hear, he had a credibility problem.

 

The persistent prevail.

 

If more people bailed instead of bailing out, things would be much better.

 

Those who say they have no agenda know that is part of their agenda.

 

Those not invited should not invite themselves.

 

Those not invited should not tag along.

 

Those making the biggest splash are often the next to go belly up.

 

The splash is more noticeable than the rigor mortise.

 

Dust off your dream and let it soar.

 

Those living their dream don’t dream about life.

 

Those who treat others fairly are usually unfairly accused.

 

Actions speak louder than what you heard.

 

The sharper the outside, the softer the inside.

 

The harder the outside, the smoother the inside.

 

Legalism leeches out all life.

 

The sweeter the outside, the longer before the bitter is found.

 

The sweeter the outside, the more bitter the inside.

 

You can’t be taught what has to be learned.

 

You can’t teach what has to be learned.

 

Those who guessed right want others to think they know it.

 

Don’t ask those hiding something what they’re hiding.

 

Never ask those hiding something what they’re hiding.

 

Things seen are not always what they seem.

 

Some questions must be left begging.

 

Not all questions can be asked.

 

Those not civil want others to act civil.

 

Schools used to educate. Now they provide an education in violence, intimidation, and sex.

 

Those who nibble get caught later.

 

The drudgery done in darkness is the base for the shine seen in the light.

 

Your perspective determines your purpose.

 

Sick people do sick things.

 

The same lie still works.

 

The same lies still work.

 

Some time the last time will be your one more time.

 

Some time the last time will have been your one more time.

 

Each of us know that you were lying, but I didn’t say anything and you didn’t admit it.

 

Faces without names are those who were never known.

 

Faces without names are those you never knew.

 

Guesses are often future messes.

 

Guesses often become future messes.

 

Those without power need to make others cower.

 

Just because the Government said so doesn’t make it good for you.

 

Not all examples are exemplary.

 

Logic is a lock that first locks one in, and then locks one out.

 

Logic is limiting.

 

Those trying to make the pieces fit the process will not realize the desired result.

 

Those saying, “It’s not bad” aren’t saying it is good.

 

Some information is indigestible.

 

People give away what they most need.

 

People give away what they need most.

 

People give away what they need to receive.

 

People give what they want to receive.

 

“Crisis cruisers” are adrenaline users.

 

Life is a waste to those who have lost their way.

 

Most of those considered friends are only friendly.

 

Those only dealing with the “issue” are clueless.

 

Those who don’t care stay there.

 

Those in the cycle fuel the cycle.

 

Those who stand their ground don’t have to stand as often.

 

Those who refuse to budge aren’t asked to move as often.

 

We allow people to cause pain.

 

We allow people to cause us pain.

 

Those polite are not considered.

 

Rudeness follows success and precedes failure.

 

Sincerity is often insincere.

 

Sincerity is sometimes sincerely insincere.

 

Matches made in haven don’t make it on earth.

 

Matches made in haven burn up in the atmosphere.

 

What is allowed should not always be permitted.

 

Change measures your control.

 

Those who don’t want you to know think you don’t know.

 

Those most outrageous are most outspoken.

 

We are given the tools to do the job, but not what is needed to succeed.

 

Talent is like buried treasure — the dirt keeps most from realizing its value.

 

Talent is like buried treasure — the dirt keeps most from realizing its real value.

 

Talent is like buried treasure — the dirt keeps most from realizing its true value.

 

Those who stand their ground don’t have to stand as often as those who don’t.

 

Those taking ground don’t have to defend it.

 

Those taking ground seldom have to defend it.

 

Those who give in give and give.

 

Those without want.

 

Those with want more.

 

Those asking others to give it a chance know that it doesn’t have one.

 

Those asking others to give it a chance know that it doesn’t have one of its own.

 

Those who have been there go back there.

 

Only those who have been there go back there.

 

Under the guise of tolerance, intolerance is practiced on the unpopular.

 

Tolerance for some is founded on intolerance of others.

 

Those always putting in often feel put out.

 

What you think it is, it is to you.

 

Those who want it all don’t really want it, they just don’t want anyone else to have any.

 

Those with no integrity question the integrity of others.

 

Those who don’t think they’re good put up with more than they should.

 

What is not limited becomes unlimited.

 

What is law means someone will find a legal way around it.

 

Those you think are trying to reassure you are really trying to reassure themselves.

 

You may not win, but you can still be a winner.

 

You may not win, but you are still a winner.

 

Winners don’t have to always win.

 

Only losers have to always win.

 

The older I get, the more calories food has.

 

The older one gets, the more calories food eaten has.

 

Don’t give me an incentive bonus, just pay me for work rendered.

 

Those who can’t do the work get paid more for supervising those who can.

 

Those who can’t do the work get paid more for supervising those who can work.

 

Those who think it is a fine line don’t know where the line is.

 

Those who think it is a fine line are already over the line.

 

Those who say it is a fine line are trying to blur the line.

 

Ignorance is stupidity with an attitude.

 

A friend is someone who knows you and still likes you.

 

A friend is someone who knows you can’t do anything for them and still likes you.

 

Those trying to smooth things over succeed only by changing the focus.

 

Those trying to smooth things over only want a smooth ride when they run you over.

 

Those saying they will follow don’t always follow through.

 

Those easily bent out of shape were previously bent.

 

Those easily bent out of shape have been bent before.

 

Those easily bent out of shape have been bent previously.

 

Those who have already taken issue will try to make anything an issue.

 

One must look past the issue to clearly see what the issue is.

 

Those focused on the issue fail to see the issue.

 

Those looking to jump ship are not concerned with the ship’s course or its welfare.

 

The gift is the measure of one’s need.

 

What is not restricted can cause one to be addicted.

 

What isn’t restricted leads one to be addicted.

 

Not all experiences are to be experienced.

 

Those more exacting just guess more.

 

It’s a cloud party day.

 

Those who aspire are fuel for the fire.

 

Fred Astaire had a soft gum shoe disease called “Gingeritise”.

 

What has to be explained will not be appreciated anymore just because it is understood.

 

Those who feel they have to say something don’t feel as strong about saying nothing.

 

Those who feel they have to say their piece seldom do so to keep the peace.

 

Excellence is expected, but done is accepted.

 

Only those personally involved care intensely.

 

The greater the investment, the greater the interest.

 

Those needing to be fed also need someone to feed them.

 

Your solution is missing a major factor from the formula.

 

Your air horn has a higher IQ than you.

 

What you are waiting for weighs on you.

 

“Education” is used to bridge barriers that protect.

 

The unnatural can be presented as normal.

 

The truth of the matter is that the truth no longer matters.

 

Those continually revising are constantly wrong.

 

Those constantly revising are continually wrong.

 

Those asking for themselves aren’t thinking about others.

 

A wall is a door to those who open it.

 

A wall is only an unopened door.

 

It doesn’t move until you drive it.

 

A wall is a private door to those who open it.

 

A wall is a private doorway to those who open it.

 

A wall is a private door to those who know how to open it.

 

A wall is a private doorway to those who know how to open it.

 

Only those who have pushed the limits know where they are.

 

Those who get honest get hurt.

 

Those who save, fund those who don’t.

 

What diseases dwell in the darkness of you that you don’t talk about?

 

Speculation is exaggeration factoring.

 

Speculation is logical exaggeration.

 

Paper pushers get promoted because they look good on paper.

 

More is not always more.

 

More is not always more of what you want.

 

More is not always the best thing to want.

 

Those who “play by the rules” only play by the rules they like.

 

Those who “play by the rules” only play by the rules that favor them.

 

Those admitting wrong may have occurred are admitting no wrong.

 

Those who wonder are always wondered about.

 

Into every life a little sun must shine.

 

It is only impossible until it is done.

 

It is always impossible until it is done.

 

Those who remain stay the same.

 

Those who ask aren’t considered.

 

It is easier to ask than to remember.

 

It is easier to read than to remember.

 

It is easier to ask again than to remember.

 

It is easier to read it again than to remember.

 

It is easier to be reminded than it is to remember.

 

You can find out who cares for you when no one else cares.

 

You can find out who cares for you when no one else cares about you.

 

When no one else cares about you, you will find out who cares for you.

 

You find out what you are when no one cares who you are.

 

Your degree of perfection is determined by your paranoia.

 

Those who find out will be found out.

 

The milk of human kindness has soured.

 

Those who don’t understand attack.

 

Those who understand attack.

 

Corporate blackmail is now being used by cities on businesses.

 

Ignorance touts the “overwhelming” weight of evidence.

 

The closer to death you are, the nearer to living you get.

 

The closer to death you get, the nearer to living you are.

 

The closer to death you are, the nearer to life you get.

 

The closer to death you get, the nearer to life you are.

 

The closer one is to death, the nearer to living one gets.

 

The closer to death one is, the nearer to living one is.

 

Death is only a morbid thought to those who think living is life.

 

Death is only a morbid thought to those who think life is living.

 

You have to know the things that don’t make sense.

 

You’re owned when you think you owe your employer.

 

Security is prison with the lock on the inside.

 

Security is a prison that locks from the inside.

 

Those waiting for it to stop should stop waiting.

 

When the pizzazz has been put away, then the payment comes.

 

When the pizzazz has been packed away, then the payment comes.

 

When the pizzazz has worn off, then the payment comes.

 

Foresight is future fortunes.

 

Formality is often a mere formality.

 

Those who should know don’t know as much as they should.

 

Those wrong are good at making those right feel stupid enough to not say anything.

 

We don’t mind doing work as long as it isn’t our work we have to do.

 

Which procedure?  The one we say?  Or the one we do?

 

The impulsiveness of youth becomes the indecision of the aged.

 

What doesn’t have to be said usually is anyway.

 

Those who believe have to.

 

Those who let down let others down.

 

Those inclusive are excluded.

 

Those inclusive tend to be excluded.

 

Those putting it on the tab seldom pay the tab.

 

You may return, but you cannot go back.

 

The more supposed the sophistication, the more significant the suckers.

 

Those only interested in labels don’t care about the contents.

 

More is not the measure of much.

 

Much is not the measure of more.

 

Those who only suck know how to get the last drop.

 

A shelter is what one seeks to help get through what they’re going through.

 

A shelter is what one seeks to help make it through what they’re going through.

 

You say it is what it isn’t, knowing that those who know know it isn’t what you say it is.

 

The naive are necessary.

 

What God is in, He sustains.

 

Those saying it is something they’ll have to do, really mean it is something they’ll never do.

 

Those who ask get told what they didn’t ask.

 

Saying it isn’t bad is not saying it is good.

 

Those of the world only have this world.

 

What isn’t said speaks more clearly.

 

Asking ends assumptions.

 

Your evaluation of yourself is more exaggeration than fact.

 

If you see the clouds, then your sight is too low.

 

If you see the clouds, then your vision is too low.

 

Information is neither good nor bad, however, what is done with it is seldom neutral.

 

Vision creates a division between those content to let it be and those who see where they want to go.

 

Many want to know the result(s) before they will make the effort.

 

Many want to know the result(s) before they will make any effort.

 

Your “superiority” is not as superior as you suppose.

 

Definitions aren’t important to those who don’t know the difference.

 

Distinctions aren’t important to those who don’t care about the difference.

 

Those in a hurry create waste for the rest.

 

Those in a hurry make everyone else wait.

 

What is allowed to remain stays.

 

Those in the know aren’t as “in” as they think.

 

Doubts don’t exist until voiced.

 

When things aren’t professional, they’re personal.

 

Information can be intoxicating.

 

Those who cut and run have run before.

 

Good art has got to be depressing.

 

Those who have heard it think they know it.

 

Knowing is proven by showing.

 

Efficiency is from the bottom up.  Excellence is from the top down.

 

I’d tell you I think you’re attractive, but you already think you’re more attractive than I think.

 

You only get beaten down by those who have already been beaten.

 

Bitterness bites both ways.

 

Bitterness bites deeper inside.

 

Be happy with what you have and let that motivate you to achieve what you haven’t attained.

 

Life is only dull to those who aren’t doing what they should.

 

Life is only dull for those who aren’t doing what they should.

 

Take life by force.

 

Life slips away from those not living it.

 

Opportunity is not always opportune.

 

Others always blame.

 

Those accommodating are not accommodated.

 

When management is saying things never looked better, you better start looking.

 

Your estimation of yourself is exaggerated.

 

A doubt voiced is a doubt solidified.

 

Hypocrites hyphothize.

 

Lies get you through the day.

 

Lies help you through the day.

 

Lies get you through today.

 

Lies help you through today.

 

Lies help you get through today.

 

Writers are literal artists.

 

Lies get you to tomorrow.

 

My doubts were confirmed by you not doing what you had said.

 

Those asking do not always want an answer.

 

Those asking may not always want an answer.

 

You want it done, but you don’t want to have to do anything.

 

Mediocrity ensures more businesses will succeed.

 

I blow by those who blow me off.

 

Those who find out first are determined to find out.

 

Those who find out first are most determined to find out.

 

Extrapolation is exaggeration based on limited information.

 

Extrapolation is “scientific” exaggeration based on limited information.

 

Evolution is scientific extrapolation based on personal desire.

 

Learn what you need to know and forget the rest.

 

People know, but they don’t want to admit it.

 

Peoples’ needs are like weeds, they keep growing back.

 

People who want want what they don’t have.

 

People who want don’t want to work for what they want.

 

People who want don’t want to work to get what they want.

 

Experience is often the only way to learn.

 

Experience is sometimes the only way to learn.

 

The key that opens the door is other than the one you think.

 

Discouragement is often the only encouragement received.

 

Not knowing makes the bad better.

 

Forgetting makes the bad better.

 

Barbs keep the point made from being forgotten.

 

Often not asking is better than finding out.

 

Those most needed are most needy.

 

A “blind eye” is often the best way to see things with.

 

A “blind eye” is often the best way to look as things with.

 

Those in the prime of their life are not always having the time of their life.

 

Those in the prime of their life are not always enjoying the time of their life.

 

Those pointing usually missed the point.

 

Group guilt is the greatest cohesive force.

 

Group guilt is the greatest cohesive force going.

 

Those who take criticism take more than they should.

 

Those who take criticism take more than they need.

 

Those who accept criticism take more than they should.

 

Those who accept criticism accept more than they should.

 

To get what you deserve, ask for nothing.

 

To get what you deserve, don’t ask for anything.

 

Your quality statement has a typo in it.

 

Today the reality of yesterday is just a memory.

 

Your disrespect of others does not distinguish you.

 

Your disrespect for others does not distinguish you.

 

It only takes one cloud to block the sunshine.

 

Loneliness is a choice.

 

Don’t kick back.  Kick backside.

 

Revelation is only for me.

 

Revelation is only relevant to the one to whom it was revealed.

 

Today there are no tomorrows.

 

Those rich in time live life to its fullest everyday.

 

Those who think they are, also think others aren’t.

 

Those who go back are the first to get it in the back.

 

Troubles are tests to show what needs worked on.

 

Troubles are tests to show what needs to be worked on.

 

Those who don’t know are the first to say they do.

 

Those who have got it are often the last to get it.

 

Trials are experiential tests to show what you have learned and to see what you need to learn.

 

Experiences are life exercises.

 

Another sanity-defying act.

 

Those who have more still don’t have enough.

 

Those who save may have more, but they still don’t have enough.

 

Those wanting excellence exasperate those who believe it is good enough.

 

Those wanting excellence exasperate those who just want it done.

 

Good enough is determined by whether you are the one doing it or the one it is being done for.

 

Good enough is determined by whether you are the one doing it or the one asking for it to be done.

 

Diet is a daily discipline.

 

Allegations make better news than the facts.

 

Troubles are part of life’s examination to measure your progress.

 

Troubles are part of life’s examination to measure one’s progress.

 

Politicians don’t intentionally mislead anyone.  They do it on purpose.

 

Politicians don’t intentionally mislead anyone.  They did it on purpose.

 

Politicians don’t unintentionally mislead anyone, they meant to do it.

 

Those who have been down before know they can be down again.

 

Those who have been down before know they can go down again.

 

Real men do too.  They just don’t talk about it.

 

Those in the bowels know the bile.

 

Security is a personal prison.

 

A good investment is never lost.

 

A good investment is never wasted.

 

No comment is often the right comment.

 

No comment is often the only comment.

 

Only those who do it really know what was done.

 

Only those who have done it know what it involves.

 

What you take, you only think you have.

 

Those most useless are most involved.

 

Those who feel bad have felt better.

 

You are beautiful beyond beauty.

 

You are beautiful in ways that go beyond beauty.

 

You are beautiful in ways that go way beyond beauty.

 

People on the way down like to think they’re managing the slide.

 

People on the way down like to tell others they’re managing the slide.

 

People on the way down like to tell others they’re navigating the slide.

 

People on the way down like to tell others they’re navigating the slope.

 

Absolutes are only essential for what is eternal.

 

Absolutes are only essential for what has to last.

 

What people “need” to do, they never will do.

 

People never talk about what they do.

 

People never talk about what they do, just what they “have” to do.

 

People never talk about what they do, just what they’re going to do.

 

Is the writer right, or just railing?

 

The bigger the window, the thicker the glass.

 

We don’t need more of what we don’t have.

 

We need more of what we don’t have.

 

What is taken for granted is forgotten when not present.

 

What is taken for granted is not remembered when not present.

 

What is thought about is cared about.

 

Those who stick there can become stuck there.

 

Even those with tunnel vision think they’re visionaries.

 

Those with tunnel vision even think they’re visionaries.

 

Those with tunnel vision still think they’re visionaries.

 

Unessential thoughts are essential.

 

Asking is seeking answers.

 

Those who take can always take more.

 

Those wanting to be accommodated don’t care about what is accomplished.

 

Those wanting to be accommodated don’t care about what else is accomplished.

 

The conscientious work for those with no conscience.

 

A boy will be a boy, until a wife makes him a man.

 

A boy will be a boy, until a woman makes him a man.

 

A woman wanting a husband doesn’t always want to be a wife.

 

Presence is equated to persistence.

 

Those aggressive are assumed to be better adjusted, while in reality their aggression indicates their inability to cope.

 

Those who don’t take the advantage are taken advantage of.

 

Those who say what they like hear what they don’t like.

 

The braggart is all mouth and no heart.

 

“Highly ethical” people just don’t get caught.

 

“Highly ethical” people just haven’t gotten caught.

 

Where you invest your talents is what you consider worth your time.

 

Where you invest your time is what you consider worth your talents.

 

Being specific will get you a law suit.

 

Much of what we think we know, we only think we know.

 

People are envious of the result, not of the effort required.

 

Those not forceful are forced.

 

Ability is what you have when no one notices.  Talent is what others say you have.

 

“Purists” are mentally polluted.

 

“Purists” are internally polluted.

 

Proper assessment is essential.

 

Beef jerky may be meat, but it isn’t filet mignon.

 

Things are never ever enough for those wanting things to even out.

 

People desiring the result don’t want to make the effort.

 

People desiring the result seldom want to make the effort.

 

Those who know better than to ask often know better than those asked.

 

Poor habits are permitted.

 

Those looking for patterns can find them where none exist.

 

Those looking for patterns can find patterns when none exist.

 

Instability causes insecurity in insecure people.

 

It is only a contradiction if you believe it can’t be contradicted.

 

The game is only played by those making the rules.

 

Those who say they’re listening aren’t.

 

Those who say they’re listening aren’t, because they’re talking.

 

Stability is sometimes spelled s-t-u-p-i-d-i-t-y.

 

Excitement is delayed satisfaction being realized.

 

Excitement is delayed satisfaction being fulfilled.

 

Storytellers put life into the stories they tell.

 

Those sitting think they’re set.

 

I am a faceless entity.

 

Prayer is power with purpose.

 

Leadership can be leaderless.

 

Money doesn’t matter when only money matters.

 

Be all you said you are.

 

A family destroyed affects four generations.

 

A family destroyed directly affects four generations.

 

The morning you don’t wake up is the morning you won’t forget.

 

Desire is caused by lack.

 

Desire is caused by discontentment.

 

Desire is caused by what one doesn’t have.

 

What isn’t treasured is traded away.

 

What isn’t treasured is tossed out.

 

What is honored is appreciated.

 

What is appreciated is honored.

 

If people only did what they wanted to do, less would get done.

 

If people only did what they wanted to do, more would get done.

 

If people only did what they wanted to do, work would be fun.

 

Those assuming others care should be careful.

 

Those who weren’t thinking still aren’t thinking.

 

SAP — Someone Always Polite.

 

The management mentality is: What have you done for me today?

 

Those wanting immediate results are only immediately satisfied.

 

Those wanting immediate results are never immediately satisfied.

 

The world begins out your front door.

 

Stench grows slowly.

 

Those rushed don’t realize they’re really in control.

 

Temptation — trying to satisfy temporarily what God desires to satisfy eternally.

 

Invention is an innovator.

 

Pride prevents people from achieving their potential.

 

Pride prevents people from realizing their potential.

 

Pride prevents people from reaching their potential.

 

A line drawn in the dirt precedes someone getting hurt.

 

Those who care aren’t consoled by those who don’t.

 

Those who ask get told what they don’t want to hear.

 

Barriers become doors when opened from the inside.

 

Those who constantly put others down are put out in a downturn.

 

Startups are often only a hiccup away from going belly up.

 

Startups are often only a mess up away from going belly up.

 

Startups are often only a downturn away from going belly up.

 

The best price is not always the best deal.

 

The best barely make it, or go broke.

 

The mediocre make the most money.

 

Because you say doesn’t make is so.

 

Because you say it is, doesn’t make is so.

 

Distance softens hardness.

 

Those fully living life are giving life.

 

When working with turkeys, remember thanksgiving will change it all.

 

When working with turkeys, remember Thanksgiving will change it all.

 

The Big Bang — Spring Break.

 

The harder the head, the bigger the hurt it takes to learn.

 

The harder the heart, the bigger the hurt it takes to get through.

 

Real men suck up with a vacuum cleaner.

 

It is not the shirt you wear, it is the skirt you wear.

 

Those believing a relationship is 50 - 50 are wrong half the time.

 

Those believing a relationship is a 50 - 50 situation are half wrong.

 

Those believing a relationship is a 50 - 50 situation are only half right.

 

Until I write it down, I won’t consistently get it right.

 

Most decisions are based on necessity, not on need.

 

The smaller the company, the bigger a small change seems.

 

Real men do, they just don’t admit it.

 

Real men really do, they just don’t admit it.

 

Real men really do, they just don’t talk about it.

 

Real men do, they just don’t talk about it.

 

Those who question find themselves out of the question.

 

Those insistent are not always in step.

 

Those insistent can be intensely wrong.

 

Easy doesn’t make it right.

 

The imperfect are always in charge of perfection.

 

Those not even close say it is close enough.

Those who weren’t even close say it was close enough.

 

The road to stardom is full of darkness.

 

Those who tip their hand have something up their sleeve.

 

Information is only important to those who use it.

 

Information is only important to those who know what to do with it.

 

Confidence needs constant reinforcement.

 

Confidence requires constant culturing.

 

Those who stay can’t say.

 

A mess becomes success only after you succeed.

 

The limit is where you let it be set.

 

The change is only subtle to those unaware of its significance.

 

The change is always subtle to those unaware of its significance.

 

Those with the resources don’t have to be resourceful.

 

Enough is more than needed.

 

Ignorance is preferable to learning.

 

Those who play dumb are usually both.

 

Those who play dumb are usually neither.

 

Those who beat you don’t necessarily have to defeat you.

 

Stars are only seen when they are stars.

 

Stars are only seen after they are stars.

 

Those with too many irons in the fire often find their feet in the fire.

 

Those with too many irons in the fire often find their feet in the fire too.

 

Those who tell don’t tell it all.

 

Those who tell seldom tell it all.

 

People are given what they didn’t ask for because it will cost more than they expect.

 

Those who admit their ignorance are considered ignorant.

 

Those who admit their ignorance are considered ignorant by those who really are.

 

Those who admit their ignorance are considered ignorant by those who are really ignorant.

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