The affairs of life embrace a multitude of interests, and he who reasons in any one of them, without consulting the rest, is a visionary unsuited to control the business of the world.
—James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) American Novelist
To sin is to be off the mark, that is, to inhibit development, contracting backward into regression rather than expanding forward into growth.
—Connie Zweig American Minister, Columnist, Psychotherapist
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labors in any great or laudable undertaking has his fatigues first supported by hope and afterward rewarded by joy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
Someday, in the moment of death, your whole life will pass before you. In a few fractions of a second–because time no longer applies–you will see many incidents from your life in order to learn. You will review your life with two questions in your consciousness: Could I have shown a little more courage in these moments? Could I have shown a little more love? You will see where you let fear stop you from expressing who you are, how you feel, or what you need. You will see whether you were able to expand into these moments, just a little, to show love, or whether you contracted.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.
—Ray Kroc (1902–84) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Women keep a special corner of their hearts for sins they have never committed.
—Cornelia Otis Skinner (1899–1979) American Dramatist, Actor, Screenwriter, Humorist
Many of the insights of the saint stem from their experience as sinners.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Sin has always been an ugly word, but it has been made so in a new sense over the last half-century. It has been made not only ugly but pass? People are no longer sinful, they are only immature or underprivileged or frightened or, more particularly, sick.
—Phyllis McGinley (1905–78) American Children’s Books Writer, Poet, Writer of Children’s Books
Preachers denounce sin as if it was available to everyone.
—Frank Lane (1896–1981) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
Healing is the process of accepting all, then choosing best.
—Neale Donald Walsch (b.1943) American Spiritual Writer
To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State, Lawyer, Politician
We may stumble, but always there is that eternal voice, forever whispering within our ear, that thing which causes the eternal quest, that thing which forever sings and sings.
—Ernest Holmes (1887–1960) American New Thought Writer, Teacher
Had proven himself a leader of remarkable ability, a man not only of enterprising ideas, but with the staying power to carry them out.
—David McCullough (b.1933) American Historian, Biographer, Author
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist
Really to sin you have to be serious about it.
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright, Poet, Theater Personality
Sin may open bright as the morning, but it will end dark as night.
—Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Religious Leader
Sin brought death, and death will disappear with the disappearance of sin.
—Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) American Christian Science Religious Leader, Humanitarian, Writer
Life is too short for theatrics, for face time, for jumping through hoops, for excuses, for blaming, for trying too hard to please others, or for chasing society’s illusion of distant riches or fame.
—Robert Cooper (b.1968)
The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might and force of habit. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him–and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires.
—J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) American Business Person, Art Collector, Philanthropist
The more you struggle to live, the less you live. Give up the notion that you must be sure of what you are doing. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, for that alone is sure. As stars high above earth, you are above everything distressing. But you must awaken to it. Wake up!
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher
Contrary to what most of us believe, happiness does not simply happen to us. It’s something that we make happen, and it results from doing our best. Feeling fulfilled when we live up to our potentialities is what motivates differentiation and leads to evolution.
—Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Sin writes histories, goodness is silent.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Philosopher
Sin is whatever obscures the soul.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist, Essayist
There are some sins which are more justly to be denominated surprises than infidelities. To such the world should be lenient, as, doubtless, Heaven is forgiving.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742) French Catholic Religious Leader, Theologian
Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.
—The Talmud
It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do for which we are accountable.
—Moliere
I have no patience for those who say that poverty is a blessing. Poverty is the greatest curse on earth.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter, Writer
Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts, had some generous act that redeems them, at least a little, from their sins.
—Orson Scott Card (b.1951) American Author, Critic, Political Activist
No man becomes fully evil at once; but suggestion bringeth on indulgence; indulgence, delight; delight, consent; consent, endeavor; endeavor, practice; practice, custom; custom, excuse; excuse, defence; defence, obstinacy; obstinacy, boasting; boasting, a seared conscience and a reprobate mind.
—Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Religious Leader
Knowing oneself is not so much a question of discovering what is present in one’s self, but rather the creation of who one wants to be.
—Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Sins of the mind have less infamy than those of the body, but not less malignity.
—Benjamin Whichcote (1609–83) British Anglican Priest, Theologian, Philosopher
If you err it is not for me to punish you. We are punished by our sins not for them.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Contrary to what most of us believe, happiness does not simply happen to us. It’s something that we make happen, and it results from doing our best. Feeling fulfilled when we live up to our potentialities is what motivates differentiation and leads to evolution.
—Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Christian Writer, Preacher