WIST

Man gives every reason for his conduct save one, every excuse for his crimes savone, every plea for his safety save one; and that one is his cowardice.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) British playwright and critic
Man and Superman, ch. 3 (1903)

It ain’t bragging if you can do it.

Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean (1910-1974) American baseball pitcher
(Attributed)

Self-confidence adds more to conversation than wit.

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammist, memoirist, noble
Maxims, #421 (1665) [tr. Kronenberger (1959)]

Conduct is three-fourths of our life and its largest concern.

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) English poet and critic
Literature and Dogma, ch. 1 (1873)

As an atheist, I believe that all life is unspeakably precious, because it’s only here for a brief moment, a flare against the dark, and then it’s gone forever. No afterlives, no second chances, no backsies. So there can be nothing crueler than the abuse, destruction or wanton taking of a life. It is a crime no less than burning the Mona Lisa, for there is always just one of each. So I cannot forgive. Which makes the notion of writing a character who CAN forgive momentarily attractive … because it allows me to explore in great detail something of which I am utterly incapable.

J. Michael (Joe) Straczynski (b. 1954) American screenwriter, producer, author
“Gesthemene Questions,” rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 (5 Dec 1995)
Quoted in Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5, "Passing Through Gethsemane : jms speaks." Full text.