Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.
—Jean Vanier (1928–2019) French-Canadian Philosopher, Theologian, Humanitarian
The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.
—Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) British Philosopher, Economist
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Sociologist, Political Theorist
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Think for yourself and question authority.
—Timothy Leary (1920–96) American Psychologist, Author
Delay in vengeance gives a heavier blow.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
People generally quarrel because they cannot argue.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
What men want is not talent, it is purpose; in other words, not the power to achieve, but will to labor. I believe that labor judiciously and continuously applied becomes genius.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Bad officials are the ones elected by good citizens who do not vote.
—George Jean Nathan (1882–1958) American Drama Critic, Editor
The sweetest sound of all is praise.
—Xenophon (c.430–c.354 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A hard beginning maketh a good ending.
—John Heywood
The smile of God is victory.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
Idleness is sweet, and its consequences are cruel.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
This world is but a canvas to our imagination.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
I’m writing an unauthorized autobiography.
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Attention to health is life’s greatest hindrance.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Away with you, water, destruction of wine.
—Catullus (84–54 BCE) Roman Latin Poet
Aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease.
—Jimmy Carter (b.1924) American Head of State, Military Leader
Guilt is a rope that wears thin.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher, Playwright, Screenwriter
Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
—Kimberly Johnson (b.1971) American Poet, Historian, Academic
All authority is quite degrading. It degrades those who exercise it, and degrades those over whom it is exercised.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The snow doesn’t give a soft white damn whom it touches.
—e. e. cummings (1894–1962) American Poet, Writer, Painter
Music, the mosaic of the air.
—Andrew Marvell (1621–78) English Metaphysical Poet
Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Conscience is a man’s compass.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
In examinations the foolish ask questions that the wise cannot answer.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.
—Thurgood Marshall (1908–93) American Jurist
Whoever wishes peace among peoples must fight statism.
—Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) Austrian Economist, Philosopher, Author
Without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly beggar.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
He who praises everybody praises nobody.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Boredom is the deadliest poison.
—William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925–2008) American TV Personality, Author
Communication is the real work of leadership.
—Nitin Nohria (b.1962) Indian-American Academic
The sole equality on earth is death.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
He who is not busy being born is busy dying.
—Bob Dylan (b.1941) American Singer-songwriter
The greater the obstacle, the more glory we have in overcoming it; the difficulties with which we are met are the maids of honor which set off virtue.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
People do not lack strength; they lack will.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.
—Anonymous
I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it.
—Thomas Aquinas (1225–74) Italian Catholic Priest, Philosopher, Theologian
Chance favors those in motion.
—James H. Austin American Buddhist Neuroscientist, Scientist, Author, Academic
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Nothing is so common-place as to wish to be remarkable. Fame usually comes to those who are thinking about something else, – very rarely to those who say to themselves, “Go to, now, let us be a celebrated individual!”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Guilt soon learns to lie.
—Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835-1915) English Novelist
Patience is the mother of will
—Georges Gurdjieff (1877–1949) Armenian Spiritual Leader, Occultist
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Our patience will achieve more than our force.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
That’s the secret to life … replace one worry with another.
—Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) American Cartoonist, Writer, Artist
There is no teaching to compare with example.
—Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (1857–1941) English Soldier, Founder of the Boy Scouts
Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.
—Karl Barth (1886–1968) Swiss Reformed Theologian, Author
A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.
—Eudora Welty (1909–2001) American Short Story Writer, Novelist
Lust is the craving for salt of a man who is dying of thirst.
—Frederick Buechner (b.1926) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Theologian
A weapon is a device for making your enemy change his mind.
—Lois McMaster Bujold (b.1949) American Novelist, Writer
Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
The laws of morals and the laws of music are the same.
—Zoltan Kodaly (1882–1967) Hungarian Composer
God created the flirt as soon as he made the fool.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work: but when they seldom come, they wished for come, and nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.
—Marge Piercy (b.1936) American Poet, Novelist, Social Activist
Oh, the good times when we were so unhappy
—Alexandre Dumas pere (1802–1870) French Novelist, Playwright
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
—Unknown
Hate leaves ugly scars, love leaves beautiful ones.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Literature is the immortality of speech.
—August Wilhelm Schlegel (1767–1845) German Poet, Literary Critic, Scholar
You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
I’m youth, I’m joy, I’m a little bird that has broken out of the egg.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”
—Robin Williams (b.1951) American Actor, Comedian
Poetry is the achievement of the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits.
—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) American Biographer, Novelist, Socialist
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
My home is not a place, it is people.
—Lois McMaster Bujold (b.1949) American Novelist, Writer
To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.
—Mary Oliver (1935–2019) American Poet
Memories are hunting horns whose sound dies on the wind.
—Guillaume Apollinaire (1880–1918) Italian-born French Poet, Playwright
Apathy is a sort of living oblivion.
—Horace Greeley (1811–72) American Elected Rep, Politician, Reformer, Editor
Argument, again, is the death of conversation, if carried on in a spirit of hostility.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Memory is what makes us young or old.
—Alfred de Musset (1810–57) French Dramatist, Poet, Novelist
The sound of water says what I think.
—Zhuang Zhou (c.369–c.286 BCE) Chinese Taoist Philosopher
Every flower is a soul blossoming in Nature.
—Gerard de Nerval (1808–55) French Poet, Essayist, Critic
If you desire many things, many things will seem few.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
The best revenge is massive success.
—Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) American Singer
I have no idea what the audience makes of me.
—Keith Richards (b.1943) English Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actor
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
—Berthold Auerbach (1812-82) German Novelist
Who over-refines his argument brings himself to grief.
—Petrarch (1304–74) Italian Scholar, Poet, Humanist
Will is the dynamic soul-force.
—Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963) Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
A book is a gift you can open again and again.
—Garrison Keillor (b.1942) American Author, Humorist, Radio Personality
Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart.
—Mort Walker (b.1923) American Comic Artist, Cartoonist
Guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death.
—Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) American Psychiatrist
Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
If someone says can’t, that shows you what to do.
—John Cage (1912–92) American Composer, Philosopher, Poet, Artist
A country is known by the way it treats its animals.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State
If you would civilize a man, begin with his grandmother.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision.
—Anonymous
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
There’s no place like home.
—Common Proverb
Ambition is the last refuge of the failure.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Where the determination is, the way can be found.
—George Samuel Clason (1874–1957) American Businessperson, Author
Children find everything in nothing; men find nothing in everything.
—Giacomo Leopardi (1798–1837) Italian Poet, Essayist, Philosopher
The awareness of our own strength makes us modest.
—Paul Cezanne (1839–1906) French Painter
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting — in the trying, not the triumph, Success is a personal standard — reaching for the highest that is in us — becoming all that we can be. If we do our best, we are a success. Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
The only thing new in this world is the history that you don’t know
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Arguments only confirm people in their own opinions.
—Booth Tarkington (1869–1946) American Novelist, Dramatist
Harmony is pure love, for love is complete agreement.
—Lope de Vega (1562–1635) Spanish Playwright, Poet
Great thoughts, like great deeds, need no trumpet.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
Never lend books, for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are those which people have lent me.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
—Unknown
A well-aimed spear is worth three.
—Ted Williams (1918–2002) American Sportsperson
Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.
—Edward R. Murrow (1908–65) American Journalist, Radio Personality
We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten.
—Cesare Pavese (1908–50) Italian Novelist, Poet, Critic, Translator
Simplicity is the glory of expression.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Patience is also a form of action.
—Dick Sutphen
Weapons are like money; no one knows the meaning of enough.
—Martin Amis (b.1949) British Novelist, Journalist
When there is an original sound in the world, it makes a hundred echoes.
—John Augustus Shedd (1858–1931) American Author
All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward.
—Ellen Glasgow (1873–1945) American Novelist
New faces have more authority than accustomed ones.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Money will not create success, the freedom to make it will.
—Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) South African Political leader
The simplest explanation is that it doesn’t make sense.
—William Buechner (1914–85) American Nuclear Physicist
The best mirror is an old friend.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Idleness is many gathered miseries in one name.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace.
—Hesiod (f.700 BCE) Greek Poet
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
The power of Thought,–the magic of the Mind!
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Only mediocrity of enjoyment is allowed to man.
—Hugh Blair (1718–1800) Scottish Preacher, Scholar, Critic
Praise shames me, for I secretly beg for it.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
To govern is always to choose among disadvantages.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
Democracy is an abuse of statistics.
—Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) Argentine Writer, Essayist, Poet
Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice.
—Harrison Ford (b.1942) American Actor
Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
The world is not a problem; the problem is your unawareness
—Sri Rajneesh (Osho) (1931–90) Indian Spiritual Teacher
You never saw a very busy person who was unhappy.
—Dorothy Dix (1861–1951) American Journalist, Columnist
The only secure knowledge is that I exist
—Rene Descartes (1596–1650) French Mathematician, Philosopher
All things do help the unhappy man to fall.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet
A wit should be no more sincere than a woman constant.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
True friends stab you in the front.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It’s the most unhappy people who most fear change.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Life is enthusiasm, zest.
—Laurence Olivier (1907–89) English Actor, Producer, Director
He who opens a school door, closes a prison.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Labor is the only prayer that Nature answers.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
Deep vengeance is the daughter of deep silence.
—Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) Italian Poet, Dramatist
Be firm on principle but flexible on method.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Every wish is like a prayer–with God.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61) English Poet
Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
It is the mind that makes the body.
—Sojourner Truth (c.1797–1883) African-American Abolitionist, Women’s Rights Activist
Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.
—Robert E. Lee (1807–70) Confederate General during American Civil War
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
From wine what sudden friendship springs.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
Never make a companion equal to a brother.
—Hesiod (f.700 BCE) Greek Poet
Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.
—Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) British Actor
The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Genius is the ability to put into effect what is on your mind.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American Novelist
Photography is truth. And cinema is truth twenty-four times a second.
—Jean-luc Godard (b.1930) French-born Swiss Film Director, Film Critic
Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.
—Phyllis Theroux (b.1939) American Journalist, Author
One fails forward toward success.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
We are not creatures of circumstance; we are creators of circumstance.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
History consists of a series of accumulated imaginative inventions.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Tears are the silent language of grief.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get. Where there is no ventilation fresh air is declared unwholesome. Where there is no religion hypocrisy becomes good taste. Where there is no knowledge ignorance calls itself science.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
All glory comes from daring to begin.
—Eugene F. Ware
Good luck needs no explanation.
—Shirley Temple (1928–2014) American Actress, Diplomat
The secret to success is constancy to purpose.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Happiness lies, first of all, in health.
—George William Curtis (1824–92) American Essayist, Public Speaker, Editor, Author
The first of earthly blessings, independence.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.
—Coco Chanel (1883–1971) French Fashion Designer
The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring. And that is not happiness.
—F. H. Bradley (1846–1924 ) British Idealist Philosopher
Fervor is the weapon of choice of the impotent.
—Frantz Fanon (1925–61) French-Martinique Psychoanalyst, Philosopher
We never know the worth of water ’til the well is dry.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
You cannot demonstrate an emotion or prove an aspiration.
—John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838–1923) British Political Leader, Writer, Editor, Journalist
Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Philosophy, rightly defined, is simply the love of wisdom.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) Spanish Painter, Sculptor, Artist
Silence is argument carried on by other means.
—Che Guevara (1928–67) Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary
Sports is like a war without the killing.
—Ted Turner (b.1938) American Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
The more refined one is, the more unhappy.
—Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) Russian Short-Story Writer
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.
—Michael Jordan (b.1963) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
—Theodore Hesburgh (1917–2015) American Catholic Educator, Clergyman
An honor is not diminished for being shared.
—Lois McMaster Bujold (b.1949) American Novelist, Writer
He has the deed half done who has made a beginning.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
In solitude, where we are least alone.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Ability is a poor man’s wealth.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
A garden is the best alternative therapy.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as in books it is generally the worst sort of reading.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Depression is the inability to construct a future.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
A zebra does not change its spots.
—Al Gore (b.1948) American Politician, Environmentalist
Music is love in search of a word.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
Worry is the only insupportable misfortune of life.
—Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (1678–1751) English Politician, Philosopher
A cherefull look makes a dish a feast.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.
—Paul Valery (1871–1945) French Critic, Poet
Ideas are the beginning of all achievement.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
The strong man is strongest when alone.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Manners easily and rapidly mature into morals.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
What experience and history teach is this — that nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
Hate is not the opposite of love; apathy is.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it.
—Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) British-born American Film Director, Film Producer
There is nothing good or evil save in the will.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
Punctuality is the soul of business.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.
—Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Chinese Statesman
Idleness is the key of beggary, and the root of all evil.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.
—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) American Biographer, Novelist, Socialist
Hypocrisy is oftenest clothed in the garb of religion.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.
—Laurence Olivier (1907–89) English Actor, Producer, Director
We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.
—Jacques Cousteau (1910–97) French Oceanographer, Documentary Director
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
—Phyllis Diller (b.1917) American Actor, Comedian
Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
A flower is an educated weed.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
The guilty think all talk is of themselves.
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400) English Poet, Philosopher, Diplomat, Bureaucrat
The gambler is a moral suicide.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.
—Robert F. Kennedy (1925–68) American Politician, Civil Rights Activist
Wisdom is not in words; Wisdom is meaning within words.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
Perhaps time’s definition of coal is the diamond.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
The surest guide to the correctness of the path that women take is joy in the struggle. Revolution is the festival of the oppressed.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
—Vince Lombardi (1913–70) American Football Coach
Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
—Henry J. Kaiser (1882–1967) American Industrialist
Life’s under no obligation to give us what we expect.
—Margaret Mitchell (1900-49) American Novelist, Journalist
Human it is to have compassion on the unhappy.
—Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375) Italian Writer, Poet
Never argue; repeat your assertion.
—Robert Owen (1771–1858) British Social Reformer, Philosopher
It’s a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
Love is the silent saying and saying of a single name.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
It is our job to make women unhappy with what they have.
—B. Earl Puckett (1898–1976) American Businessperson
A wise man will make more opportunities, than he finds.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
He who has known how to love the land has loved eternity.
—Stefan Zeromski (1864–1925) Polish Novelist
If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
In summer, the song sings itself.
—William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) American Poet, Novelist, Cultural Historian
Listen to what you know instead of what you fear.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
Sin writes histories, goodness is silent.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Ambition is the last infirmity of noble minds.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
How tedious is a guilty conscience.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet