Aphorisms | Skills Pool
Aphorisms CRUD on {PRINCIPAL.NAME}'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.
danielmiessler 11,564 stars Feb 28, 2026 Occupation Categories Academic Customization
Before executing, check for user customizations at:
~/.claude/PAI/USER/SKILLCUSTOMIZATIONS/Aphorisms/
If this directory exists, load and apply any PREFERENCES.md, configurations, or resources found there. These override default behavior. If the directory does not exist, proceed with skill defaults.
🚨 MANDATORY: Voice Notification (REQUIRED BEFORE ANY ACTION)
You MUST send this notification BEFORE doing anything else when this skill is invoked.
Send voice notification :
curl -s -X POST http://localhost:8888/notify \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"message": "Running the WORKFLOWNAME workflow in the Aphorisms skill to ACTION"}' \
> /dev/null 2>&1 &
Output text notification :
npx skills add danielmiessler/Personal_AI_Infrastructure
stars 11,564
Updated Feb 28, 2026
Occupation Running the **WorkflowName** workflow in the **Aphorisms** skill to ACTION...
This is not optional. Execute this curl command immediately upon skill invocation.
Workflow Routing When 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.mdAdd quote, add aphorism, save quote, new aphorism, store quote Workflows/AddAphorism.mdResearch thinker, find quotes from, what did X say, thinker quotes on Workflows/ResearchThinker.mdSearch 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 Matching Analyze 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 Database Curated collection organized by:
Author - Thinkers aligned with TELOS philosophyTheme - Categories like resilience, learning, stoicism, risk, progressContext - Background on quote origin and meaningUsage History - Track which quotes used in which newsletters
3. Thinker Research Deep research on key philosophers:
Christopher Hitchens - Rationality, skepticism, intellectual honestyDavid Deutsch - Knowledge creation, optimism, explanationsSam Harris - Rationality, meditation, free will, moralityBaruch Spinoza - Ethics, reason, freedom, natureRichard Feynman - Curiosity, scientific thinking, doubt, clarity
4. Theme-Based Organization Aphorisms categorized by themes matching user content:
Work Ethic & Excellence - Craft, mastery, high standardsResilience & Strength - Adversity, persistence, growthLearning & Education - Curiosity, continuous improvementStoicism & Control - Internal locus, acceptance, disciplineRisk & Action - Courage, failure, experimentationWisdom & Truth - Rationality, evidence, honest inquiry
Database Structure Location: ~/.claude/skills/aphorisms/Database/aphorisms.md
Initial Collection (Rahil Arora) - 15 curated quotes covering core themesThinkers Aligned with TELOS - Sections for Hitchens, Deutsch, Harris, Spinoza, Feynman (to be populated)Theme Index - Quick reference by categoryNewsletter Usage History - Tracking to avoid repetition
Full quote text
Author attribution
Theme tags
Context and background
Source reference (when available)
Available Workflows
Quote Discovery & Matching find-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 Management add-aphorism.md - Structured quote addition
Accept quote text and author
Extract or assign themes
Add context and background
Update theme index
Validate uniqueness
Research Operations research-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 & Discovery search-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:
Intellectual honesty and skepticism
Question everything, follow evidence
"What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence"
Optimistic epistemology - problems are solvable
Knowledge creation through criticism
Emphasis on explanations, not just predictions
Scientific rationality applied to ethics
Importance of reason and evidence
Mindfulness and self-awareness
Ethics based on reason
Freedom through understanding
Reality acceptance and wisdom
Curiosity-driven learning
Doubt as a tool for knowledge
Clarity of thought and explanation
Scientific honesty
Research Priority
Immediate : Analyze previous newsletters for aphorism patternsPhase 1 : Research Hitchens and Feynman (most quotable, clear style)Phase 2 : Research Harris and Deutsch (contemporary, relevant)Phase 3 : Research Spinoza (historical, philosophical depth)
Usage Examples
Example 1: Finding Aphorism for Newsletter User: "I'm writing a newsletter about overcoming setbacks in AI research. Find me a good aphorism."
Analyze themes: resilience, adversity, persistence, progress
Search database for matching themes
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)
Provide rationale for each
Example 2: Adding New Quote User: "Add this quote: 'The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.' - Dorothy Parker"
Parse quote and author
Identify themes: curiosity, learning, passion
Add to database with context
Update theme index
Confirm addition
Example 3: Researching Thinker User: "Research David Deutsch quotes about knowledge and optimism"
Research Deutsch's works (The Beginning of Infinity, The Fabric of Reality)
Extract relevant quotes on knowledge creation and optimism
Add to database with source attribution
Organize by theme
Report findings
Example 4: Theme Search User: "Show me all aphorisms about learning and education"
Search database for learning/education theme
Return matching quotes:
Gandhi (live/learn)
Krishnamurti (lifelong learning)
Confucius (learning + thinking)
Aaron Swartz (curiosity)
Provide context for each
Best Practices
Quote Selection for Newsletter
Match tone - Ensure quote tone aligns with newsletter contentThematic relevance - Direct connection to main themesAvoid repetition - Check usage historyProvide variety - Rotate between authors and themesContext matters - Consider whether reader needs background
Database Maintenance
Verify accuracy - Check quote text and attributionAdd context - Include source and background when possibleTheme consistently - Use established theme categoriesTrack usage - Update history to avoid overuseQuality over quantity - Curate, don't just collect
Thinker Research
Primary sources - Prefer direct quotes from books/speechesContext critical - Include enough background for understandingAvoid misattribution - Verify quote authenticityTELOS alignment - Focus on wisdom, rationality, truth-seekingPractical wisdom - Quotes should be actionable or profound
Future Enhancements
Planned Features
Automatic theme detection - ML-based content analysisQuote recommendation engine - Collaborative filtering based on past selectionsIntegration with previous newsletters - Analyze historical aphorism usage patternsExpanded thinker research - Add more philosophers aligned with TELOSMood/tone matching - Match quote emotional tone to contentQuote 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 Reference
"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 search
Database Location:
~/.claude/skills/aphorisms/Database/aphorisms.md
15 initial quotes (Rahil Arora collection)
5 thinker sections (to be populated)
12+ theme categories
Key Thinkers:
Hitchens, Deutsch, Harris, Spinoza, Feynman
newsletter-content - Newsletter creation and content suggestions
research - Web research and content analysis
writing - Blog post and content creation
personal - User's philosophy and values context
02
🚨 MANDATORY: Voice Notification (REQUIRED BEFORE ANY ACTION)
Academic
Editor Professional editing and proofreading for clarity, grammar, style, and readability improvements.
Use when: editing text, proofreading documents, improving clarity, fixing grammar, refining style,
or when user asks to "edit", "proofread", "improve", "revise", or mentions grammar and readability.
Academic
Academic Researcher Academic research assistant for literature reviews, paper analysis, and scholarly writing.
Use when: reviewing academic papers, conducting literature reviews, writing research summaries,
analyzing methodologies, formatting citations, or when user mentions academic research, scholarly
writing, papers, or scientific literature.