I've come across an excellent little tool for deciding whether a joke is appropriate or not. The next time you are tempted to repeat a story that derides a certain race, nationality or gender just substitute your child or your parents or someone else you love in their stead. For instance: "Did you hear the one about my son who was so..."

Get the idea?

"There are three things that are important in life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind."

-Henry James

"If people cannot arise from my preaching inspired, let them at least awake refreshed."

-stolen by RJM

"I shall die of having lived."

-From Willa Cather's
Death Comes to the Archbishop