Quote of the Day: Success

“Success is not measured by how often you hit the standard, but by whether your standards survive success.”
— The Sage

Many people spend years striving to reach a particular goal, believing that success itself is the ultimate achievement. Yet The Sage reminds us that arriving at the summit is only half the journey. What truly matters is whether the principles that guided us there remain intact once success has been achieved.

It is surprisingly easy to lower our standards after we’ve “made it.” Recognition, comfort or influence can tempt us to become less patient, less generous or less honest than we once were. The Sage believes that real character is revealed not during the struggle to succeed, but in the choices we continue to make when no one is expecting anything more from us.

Success comes and goes throughout life, but integrity has a habit of leaving a far longer legacy. If your standards remain as high on your best days as they were on your hardest days, then you’ve achieved something far more valuable than success alone—you’ve earned the quiet satisfaction of remaining true to yourself.

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Quote of the Day: Courtesy

“Salvation is rarely found by those who expect to be served before they offer courtesy.”
— The Sage

The Sage has always found it curious that many people seek life’s greatest rewards while overlooking its simplest virtues. Courtesy is often dismissed as old-fashioned or insignificant, yet it quietly shapes every meaningful encounter. A greeting, a thank you, a patient word, or an unexpected kindness rarely changes the headlines, but they often change the day of the person receiving them.

He observes that the desire to be served is natural enough. We all hope to be noticed, appreciated, and understood. But when that expectation comes before our willingness to extend the same generosity to others, disappointment usually follows. The Sage suggests that the finest relationships, communities, and even personal fulfilment begin not with asking what we deserve, but with considering what we can freely offer.

With gentle wisdom, The Sage reminds us that salvation need not be understood only as a destination beyond this life. Sometimes it is found in rescuing ourselves from pride, impatience, and entitlement. Courtesy asks very little of us, yet it has the remarkable habit of bringing out the very best in everyone it touches.

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Advice of the Day: Taking the Blame

If you do something bad, make sure there is someone else around to blame.

the sage

Nobody enjoys admitting they’ve made a mistake. Fortunately, the Wise Sage has developed a far simpler solution: never be the only person present. Whether you’ve broken a vase, eaten the last biscuit, or accidentally reversed into the neighbour’s wheelie bin, having a convenient witness dramatically increases your options.

Preparation is everything. Before attempting anything even remotely questionable, invite friends, relatives or unsuspecting neighbours to stand nearby. The more innocent they appear, the more believable the accusation. Pets are also useful, although cats are generally considered guilty by default and dogs are far too pleased to defend themselves.

Timing is crucial. The moment disaster strikes, react before anyone else has processed what happened. Point decisively at the nearest bystander and confidently announce, “I saw the whole thing!” Confidence is far more persuasive than evidence. Never hesitate. Hesitation is practically an admission of guilt.

For advanced practitioners, keep a child within shouting distance. Adults instinctively assume children are responsible for almost anything involving noise, broken objects or mysterious stains. If no child is available, loudly muttering, “I told him this would happen,” while shaking your head in disappointment often achieves similar results.

If your chosen scapegoat denies everything, remain calm. Simply look disappointed and say, “I’m not angry… I’m just surprised.” This shifts the burden of proof entirely onto them while making you appear remarkably reasonable.

Should all else fail, blame the wind. The wind has an impeccable record of refusing interviews.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for family arguments, cancelled Christmas invitations, or eventually being blamed for absolutely everything yourself.

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This Day in History – 21st July 1902

The Edwardian “Hit-and-Run” That Ended in Acquittal

Road traffic accidents are often thought of as a modern problem, but on Easter Monday 1902, London’s busy streets witnessed what would today be described as a serious hit-and-run collision. At the centre of the case was Charles Fish, a hansom cab driver whose horse-drawn vehicle struck a married couple before continuing down the road without stopping. The dramatic Old Bailey trial that followed became less about the collision itself than the difficult question of whether the driver was criminally responsible for his actions.

John and Annie Fitzgerald were crossing King William Street, near London Bridge, shortly before eleven o’clock at night when disaster struck. Without warning, a fast-moving hansom cab knocked them both to the ground. John suffered catastrophic injuries, fracturing the base of his skull and remaining unconscious for two days. Annie escaped with severe bruising to her ribs, hip and knee, but remembered how suddenly the cab appeared and how neither of them had any chance to avoid it.

Several witnesses immediately gave chase. Police Constable George Bayley saw the cab travelling quickly before it struck the couple and noted that it continued along Eastcheap without stopping despite repeated shouts. Plain-clothes officer Frank Knight leapt onto the moving cab and finally brought the horse under control some eighty yards further on. Both officers believed Charles Fish was drunk, describing him as smelling strongly of alcohol, appearing confused, and failing to respond when ordered to stop. Independent witness John William Sallabank also believed the cab was travelling unusually fast and thought the driver even whipped the horse after the collision.

The injuries proved devastating. Surgeon Dr George Hilliard told the court that John Fitzgerald’s fractured skull later resulted in mental illness requiring admission to the workhouse infirmary. He permanently lost much of his hearing, while his wife required lengthy treatment for multiple painful injuries.

Fish, however, denied being drunk. Giving evidence himself, he claimed he had suffered what he believed was a sudden fit while crossing London Bridge and remembered nothing of the collision or the pursuit that followed. His defence then produced an extraordinary number of witnesses. Fellow cab drivers, employers, friends and relatives all testified that Fish had long been regarded as sober, reliable and hardworking. Many had personally witnessed him collapse into unexplained “fainting fits” over a number of years, while members of his family described similar attacks affecting both his mother and sister.

The turning point came with expert medical evidence. Two respected surgeons concluded that Fish was almost certainly suffering from petit mal epilepsy, a condition little understood at the time. They explained that sufferers could appear intoxicated while actually being temporarily unconscious of their actions, continuing routine movements such as holding reins or walking without understanding what they were doing. They also stated that such attacks were easily mistaken—even by doctors—for drunkenness.

Faced with conflicting evidence between the police officers’ belief that Fish was drunk and the compelling medical testimony suggesting epilepsy, the jury decided there was reasonable doubt. Charles Fish was therefore acquitted.

Today, the case stands as one of Britain’s earliest courtroom examinations of the difficult relationship between medical illness, driving, and criminal responsibility—issues that remain highly relevant more than a century later.

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This Day in History – 21 May 1722

Execution at Tyburn: Thomas Smith & John Hawkins

On this day in 1722, Thomas Smith and John Hawkins were executed at Tyburn following convictions for violent robbery on the highway—crimes that struck at the very heart of public safety in early 18th-century London.

Both men came from very different backgrounds, yet were united by a shared descent into opportunistic crime, driven by restlessness, ambition, and ultimately, poor judgement.

Thomas Smith – A Drifter Turned Robber

Thomas Smith, around 44 years of age, was convicted of assaulting John Prat under Ludgate and robbing him of his hat and peruke. The crime itself was brazen rather than sophisticated.

Smith had approached the elderly victim before suddenly snatching the wig and hat from his head, fleeing with the goods concealed upon his person. His escape, however, was short-lived. He was quickly pursued and apprehended, with the stolen wig discovered hidden in his clothing.

His life, as he himself described it, had been marked by instability. Never settled in any trade, he drifted between occupations—servant, rag trader, and even, by his own admission, a provider of false testimony in criminal cases.

Despite professing religious conviction, his beliefs appeared inconsistent and unsettled. At times defensive, at others evasive, he offered little by way of explanation for his actions beyond a life poorly governed and lacking direction.

John Hawkins – Ambition, Crime, and the Mail Robbery

John Hawkins’s case was far more serious and far-reaching.

A man of 28, Hawkins had once held respectable employment, even serving as a butler in a reputable household. Yet beneath this surface lay a restless ambition—what he himself described as a desire for “great riches and splendour”—which ultimately led him into criminal enterprise.

He stood accused as part of a coordinated gang responsible for the robbery of the Bristol mail, a crime of national significance. The plan was elaborate:

  • The gang tracked the mail coach route
  • Disguised themselves to conceal identity
  • Intercepted the post-boy in the early hours
  • Bound both him and a companion to a tree
  • Carried off the mail bags to be rifled for valuables

Testimony revealed that Hawkins played a strategic role—waiting at a distance due to his distinctive appearance, before joining in the division and destruction of the stolen correspondence.

The gang extracted banknotes and valuables, discarding the rest. Their actions disrupted not just private correspondence, but the functioning of national communication and commerce.

The Evidence and Trial

The prosecution’s case rested heavily on the testimony of an accomplice, who described the planning and execution of the robbery in striking detail.

Witnesses confirmed:

  • The prisoners’ movements along the route
  • Their presence at inns along the way
  • Their return to London with horses matching descriptions
  • Their suspicious behaviour after the crime

Despite attempts to discredit witnesses and provide alibis, the evidence was overwhelming. The jury returned a verdict of guilty.

Behaviour After Conviction

Following his conviction, Hawkins initially reacted with defiance—challenging the court and jury, and asserting irregularities in the proceedings. Yet this bravado did not last.

In private, his tone softened. He expressed:

  • Acceptance of his fate
  • Forgiveness toward those who testified against him
  • A growing awareness of the gravity of his situation

By the time of his final days, he was described as deeply affected, reflective, and fearful, particularly as execution approached.

Smith, by contrast, remained a more ambiguous figure—less emotionally documented, but equally resigned to the consequences of his actions.

Execution at Tyburn

On the morning of 21 May, both men were taken from Newgate to Tyburn, where large crowds gathered to witness the spectacle.

As was customary:

  • Prayers were offered
  • Final exhortations were given by clergy
  • The condemned were urged to repent and prepare their souls

Hawkins, in particular, showed visible signs of distress—his composure faltering as the reality of death drew near. Tears and solemn devotion marked his final hours.

Shortly thereafter, both men were hanged.

Context and Reflection

These cases illustrate two distinct paths to the gallows:

  • Thomas Smith, a drifter undone by petty but reckless crime
  • John Hawkins, a man of ambition who turned to organised robbery in pursuit of wealth

Together, they reflect the harsh realities of early 18th-century justice, where even a single act of highway robbery could result in death.

Their stories also serve as a reminder of a broader truth often repeated in the Ordinary’s Accounts:
that lives not governed by discipline or restraint could, with alarming speed, descend into ruin.

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Advice of the Day: Choosing Swimwear

Don’t choose swimwear for comfort or practicality—choose something that raises immediate concern among strangers.

the sage

Swimwear is often selected based on fit, function, or modesty. The Wise Sage considers this a missed opportunity. The beach, after all, is a public stage, and your attire should reflect a bold disregard for expectation and basic engineering principles.

Begin by selecting a size that is confidently incorrect. Too small suggests optimism; too large suggests mystery. Either way, you will create intrigue. Straps should appear to be doing more work than they were designed for, and anything described as “secure” should be treated with suspicion.

Colour choice is equally important. Avoid subtlety. Instead, opt for patterns that can be seen from space—neon zigzags, clashing animal prints, or anything that appears to vibrate slightly when viewed directly. Ideally, your swimwear should make lifeguards uneasy before you even enter the water.

Functionality should be reduced to an absolute minimum. Complicated ties, unnecessary buckles, and inexplicable cut-outs all contribute to what professionals call “aquatic unpredictability.” If you can’t put it on without consulting a diagram, you are on the right track.

For added confidence, accessorise poorly. A snorkel without a mask, flippers on dry land, or a swimming cap worn backwards all signal that you are not to be questioned. Bonus points for carrying an inflatable object that serves no clear purpose.

When entering the water, do so with commitment. Hesitation suggests doubt, and doubt leads to adjustment, which must be avoided at all costs. Once in, remain still for a moment and let the outfit settle into whatever arrangement it deems appropriate.

Finally, remember that confidence is everything. If something appears to have gone wrong, behave as though it is entirely intentional. Onlookers will assume they are simply not familiar with the latest trends.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for wardrobe malfunctions, startled beachgoers, or being asked to leave the premises “for everyone’s safety.”

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Quote of the Day: Staying on Course

“We try to prevent failure by taking stock, yet still find ways to throw ourselves off course.”
— The Sage

The Sage has often observed that people are quite good at preparation. Lists are made, plans are drawn, contingencies considered. We take stock of our situation, measure our options, and convince ourselves that with enough foresight, failure can be neatly avoided. There is comfort in this ritual — a sense of control, however temporary.

He notes, however, that the unexpected rarely comes from outside. More often, it arrives from within — a moment of impatience, distraction, or quiet doubt. Despite all preparation, we still manage to throw ourselves off course, sometimes with impressive efficiency. The Sage suggests that this is not a flaw in planning, but a feature of being human.

With gentle humour, he reminds us that life is not undone by a lack of preparation alone, but by the curious ways we override it. Taking stock may steady the path, but it cannot walk it for us. And so, he concludes, wisdom lies not only in preparing well, but in recognising our remarkable ability to ignore that preparation at precisely the wrong moment.

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This Day in History – 20 May 1728

Execution at Tyburn: Mary Hendron & Margaret Pendergrass

On this day in 1728, Mary Hendron and Margaret Pendergrass were executed at Tyburn for their part in a deeply troubling case involving the coercion and exploitation of a young woman, Sibble Morris. Though they did not act alone, the law ultimately fell most heavily upon them.

The Victim: Sibble Morris

At the heart of the case was Sibble Morris, a young woman whose vulnerability was ruthlessly exploited. Evidence presented at trial suggested that she was lured under false pretences, manipulated, and effectively delivered into the hands of others against her will.

Accounts indicate that Morris resisted her situation, and her distress became a central feature of the prosecution’s case. Her testimony painted a picture not of consent, but of pressure, intimidation, and calculated deceit, carried out by those she might reasonably have trusted.

The Scheme

Mary Hendron and Margaret Pendergrass were portrayed as active facilitators in the plot. Rather than being peripheral figures, they were said to have:

  • Encouraged Morris into their company
  • Misled her about the circumstances she was entering
  • Assisted in delivering her into a situation where her autonomy was stripped away

The crime was not a moment of impulse, but something that appeared pre-arranged and deliberate—a scheme in which Morris was treated as a means to an end.

The Man Who Escaped the Gallows

Crucially, the case also involved a male accomplice, widely understood to be the principal actor in the intended outcome of the plot. However, in a striking turn, he was acquitted at trial.

This outcome reflects a recurring pattern in early modern prosecutions:

  • Evidentiary thresholds could differ sharply between defendants
  • Juries were sometimes reluctant to convict where intent was less clearly proven
  • Women, particularly those seen as morally suspect, could be judged more harshly when cast as enablers of vice

While the man’s role appeared central to the scheme, the jury ultimately found insufficient grounds to convict him of the capital charge—leaving Hendron and Pendergrass to bear the full weight of the law.

Trial and Conviction

At the Old Bailey, the prosecution emphasised the premeditation and coordination involved. The two women were depicted not as passive followers, but as knowing participants who helped orchestrate the events.

The jury agreed.

Both Hendron and Pendergrass were found guilty and sentenced to death—a punishment reflecting not only the crime itself, but the perceived moral corruption underlying it.

Execution at Tyburn

As was customary, the condemned women were carried from Newgate to Tyburn in a public procession, watched by crowds drawn to the spectacle.

At the gallows, they were given time for prayer and final reflection. Contemporary accounts suggest they acknowledged their fate with outward solemnity, urged to repentance by attending clergy.

Shortly thereafter, both were hanged.

Context and Reflection

This case reveals much about the justice system of the time:

  • Coercion and exploitation, especially involving women, were treated with severe punishment
  • Public morality played a powerful role in determining guilt and sentencing
  • Outcomes could be uneven, with accomplices treated very differently depending on how their roles were perceived

The execution of Hendron and Pendergrass stands as a stark example of how the law sought to punish not only actions, but the perceived moral failings behind them.

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Advice of the Day: Choosing a Football Team to Support

Don’t waste time researching teams—simply support whichever one causes you the most emotional instability.

the sage

Choosing a football team is often treated as a lifelong commitment, rooted in geography, family tradition, or a vague understanding of the sport. The Wise Sage rejects this entirely. Instead, he recommends selecting a team using methods that ensure maximum confusion and long-term regret.

A strong starting point is kit selection. Choose the team whose colours clash most violently with your wardrobe. This guarantees you will never look comfortable, which is essential for authentic fandom. Bonus points if the away kit resembles a highlighter pen or something worn by road workers.

Alternatively, base your decision on a single, deeply unreliable moment. Perhaps you once saw a team win 4–0 on television in 2007. That is more than enough evidence. Commit fully. Ignore all subsequent results, especially if they contradict your initial optimism.

For a more immersive experience, select a team located as far away from you as possible. Ideally, this should require awkward kick-off times, expensive travel, and a complete lack of local support. Watching matches alone at odd hours enhances the sense that you have made a terrible, irreversible decision.

It is also important to develop fierce, immediate rivalries with teams you know nothing about. Upon choosing your club, pick a rival at random and dislike them intensely. Do not research why—certainty is more important than accuracy.

If your team begins to perform well, remain suspicious. Success is fleeting and should not be trusted. Conversely, if they perform badly, double down. This builds character and gives you something to complain about, which is the true essence of football support.

Finally, when asked why you support your chosen team, provide an answer so vague it raises further questions. “It just felt right at the time” is ideal. Avoid clarity at all costs.

As always, The Sage accepts no responsibility for ruined weekends, strained friendships, or loudly celebrating goals that turn out to be offside.

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Quote of the Day: Room for Wisdom

“A limited room teaches more wisdom than an endless store of things.”
— The Sage

The Sage has long suspected that space itself is a quiet teacher. A limited room does not allow for excess without consequence. Every object must justify its presence, every addition must displace something else. In such conditions, choices become clearer. What is necessary remains; what is not quietly reveals itself.

He observes that abundance, while comforting at first, can blur this clarity. An endless store of things creates the illusion of importance without requiring discernment. When there is always more space, more storage, more capacity, the need to choose carefully begins to fade. The Sage notes that it is often only when space runs short that value becomes visible.

With gentle insight, he reminds us that limitation is not always restriction — it can be refinement. A smaller room invites intention. It encourages us to keep what matters and release what does not. And in that process, The Sage suggests, we discover that wisdom is not found in what we accumulate, but in what we are willing to leave behind.

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