Dr. Tillerisms

Dr. Tiller had a whole bunch of sayings that he said guided his behavior, temperament and advice to others. At some point his clinic staff typed up a list of them, and after his murder many of us found it comforting to pass it around. Some of them are borrowed, others probably original. Some seem cheesy to me. But in person Dr. Tiller had a self-assured, positive-thinking kind of vibe and when I met him it all made sense.

Some go over my head, and others really hit close to home. Which of these are meaningful to you? I'll say one of mine at the end of the list, too.

• The great battles of life are fought between our ears and not any other fields of contact.
• Don't let the protesters live rent free in your head.
• Solutions...not problems.
• Always say thank you personally.
• A life of reaction is a life of spiritual and emotional slavery.
• If there is plenty - take plenty; if there is none take it all. (great grandad Romney - quoted by Stanley Tiller '91)
• An infinite amount of quality can be added to any service.
• It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice.
• It's not going to change until you change.
• When you have to eat crow - chew rapidly, swallow quickly and it doesn't taste too bad.
• It is better to do a good deal poorly than a bad deal well.
• If you are going to bet on someone - bet on yourself first.
• It never pays to dance on someone else's grave.
• You can change the world - if you do not have to take credit for it.
• If it's too hot in the kitchen, DON'T COOK.
• A man has got to know his limitations.
• You cannot be all things to all people.
• Ego trips are expensive.
• It is never the wrong time to do the next right thing.
• Paddle your own canoe. - Grandma Tiller '59
• Glory may be fleeting BUT mediocrity is forever.
• The only requirement for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

I think that last one was made famous by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The only requirement for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." One of the most frustrating parts of being an abortioneer is dealing with pro-choice friends and family who don't vote, don't attend rallies, don't say anything about anti-choice remarks from acquaintances or coworkers. Why so quiet? Silence helps others erroneously believe that everyone they know is against abortion, and that no one they know cares about abortioneers or our patients.

OK, your turn.