How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
“Progress of Culture,” Letters and Social Aims (1876)
Faith does not admit of telling. It has to be lived and then it becomes self-propagating.
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) Indian philosopher and nationalist [Mahatma Gandhi]
Young India (20 Oct 1927)
I wonder whether any other generation has seen such astounding revolutions of data and values as those through which we have lived. Scarcely anything material or established which I was brought up to believe was permanent and vital, has lasted. Everything I was sure or taught to be sure was impossible, has happened.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
My Early Life: A Roving Commission, ch. 5 “The Fourth Hussars” (1930)
I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
It is not only possible to say a great deal in praise of play; it is really possible to say the highest things in praise of it. It might reasonably be maintained that the true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground. To be at last in such secure innocence that one can juggle with the universe and the stars, to be so good that one can treat everything as a joke — that may be, perhaps, the real end and final holiday of human souls.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) English journalist and writer
All Things Considered, “Oxford from Without” (1908)
Full text.
If I knew the world should go under tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today.”
[Und wenn ich wüsste, dass morgen die Welt unterginge, so pflanzte ich heute noch einen Apfelbaum.]
Martin Luther (1483-1546) German religious reformer
(Attributed)
Many alternative translations and paraphrases of this apocryphal statement can be found:
- "Even if I knew that the whole world was going to smash tomorrow, still, I would plant an apple tree today. [Auch wenn ich wüsste, dass morgen die Welt zugrunde geht, würde ich heute noch einen Apfelbaum pflanzen.]"
- "If I knew the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree this afternoon."
- "If I knew I was to die tomorrow, I would plant a tree today."
But we must not forget that in our country are evangelists and zealots of many different political, economic and religious persuasions whose fanatical conviction is that all thought is divinely classified into two kinds — that which is their own and that which is false and dangerous. Communists are not the only faction which would put us all in mental straitjackets.
Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954) US Supreme Court Justice (1941-54), lawyer, jurist, politician
American Communications Association v. Douds, 339 U.S. 382, 438 (1950) [concurrence and dissent]
(Source)
Wit’s an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer.George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” l. 241 (1633)
Where there is devotional music, God with his grace is always present.
[Bei einer andächtigen Musik ist allezeit Gott mit seiner Gnaden Gegenwart.]
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) German composer
Annotation in a copy of the Calov Bible
A perfect character might be attended with the inconveniences of being envied and hated; … a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in contenance.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Autobiography, 1784 (1798)
There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Walden, “Economy” (1854)
‘Tis an old maxim in the schools,
That flattery’s the food of fools;
Yet now and then your men of wit
Will condescend to take a bit.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman
“Cadenus and Vanessa,” l. 766ff (1713)
(Source)
In order to succeed it is not necessary to be much cleverer than other people. All you have to do is be one day ahead of them.
Leó Szilárd (1898-1964) Hungarian-American physicist
“I’m looking for a market for wisdom: Leo Szilard, scientist,” LIFE (1 Sep 1961)
Variant: "If you want to succeed in the world, you don't have to be much cleverer than other people. You just have to be one day earlier."
In any collection of data, the figure most obviously correct, beyond all need of checking, is the mistake.
(Other Authors and Sources)
“Finagle’s Third Law”
In Arthur Bloch, Murphy's Law: And Other Reasons Why Things Go gnorW, "Murphology" (1979)
Management — that is, placing the ball in the right position for the next shot, knowing exactly where to be on the green — is eighty percent of winning golf.
Ben Hogan (1912-1957) American golfer
(Attributed)
Longest form of this widely attributed phrase found. Many shorter paraphrases are quoted instead, most commonly "Placing the ball in the right position for the next shot is eighty percent of winning golf."
No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.
Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Anglo-Irish statesman, orator, philosopher
A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and the Beautiful, 2.2 (1756)
One does not read in the Gospel that the Lord said: ‘I will send you the Paraclete who will teach you about the course of the sun and moon.’ For He willed to make them Christians, not mathematicians.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Christian church father, philosopher, saint [b. Aurelius Augustinus]
De actis contra Felicem manichaeum [Answer to Felix, a Manichean], 1.10 (AD 404)
Alt. trans.:
- We do not read in the Gospel that the Lord said, ‘I will send the Paraclete to teach you the course of the sun and the moon’, in fact He wanted to create Christians not mathematicians.
- In the Gospel we do not read that the Lord said: I am sending you the Holy Spirit so that he can teach you about the course of the sun and the moon. He wanted to make Christians, not mathematicians.
If it’s never our fault, we can’t take responsibility for it. If we can’t take responsibility for it, we’ll always be its victim.
Richard Bach (b. 1936) American writer
Running from Safety: An Adventure of the Spirit (1994)
Faith and doubt go hand in hand, they are complementaries. One who never doubts will never truly believe.
Herman Hesse (1877-1962) German-born Swiss poet, novelist, painter
Reflections, #291 (1974) [ed. V. Michels]
You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true, and also fierce, you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
My Early Life: A Roving Commission, ch. 4 “Sandhurst” (1930)
I will ride my luck on occasion, but I like to pick the occasion.
Rex Stout (1886-1975) American writer
Might As Well Be Dead, ch. 6 [Archie] (1956)
The true republic: men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) American reformer, aboltionist, sufferagist
Motto of Revolution (newspaper) (1868)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
The two quoted verses are from Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18.
The philosophers themselves, even in those books in which they tell us to despise fame, inscribe their names.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Pro archia poeta, ch. 11
The desire for glory clings even to the best men longer than any other passion.
Tacitus (c.56-c.120) Roman historian, orator, politician [Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus]
Histories, Book IV, ch. 6 (AD 100-110)
When hopes and dreams are loose in the streets, it is well for the timid to lock doors, shutter windows and lie low until the wrath has passed. For there is often a monstrous incongruity between the hopes, however noble and tender, and the action which follows them. It is as if ivied maidens and garlanded youths were to herald the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
The True Believer, Part I, Sec. 5, ch. 2 “The Desire For Substitutes” (1951)
Since inequalities of privilege are greater than could possibly be defended rationally, the intelligence of privileged groups is usually applied to the task of inventing specious proofs for the theory that universal values spring from, and that general interests are served by, the special privileges which they hold.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) American theologian and clergyman
Moral Man and Immoral Society, ch. 5 “The Ethical Attitudes of Privileged Classes” (1932)
Full text.
It is totally illogical to seek happiness if we do nothing to restrain angry, spiteful, and malicious thoughts and emotions.
The Dalai Lama (b. 1935) Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader [The 14th Dalai Lama; a/k/a Lhama Thondup / Lhama Dhondrub; b. Tenzin Gyatso]
Twitter (23 Mar 2010)
Post.
Fanatics have their dreams, wherewith they weave
A paradise for a sect.John Keats (1795-1821) English poet
“The Fall of Hyperion: A Dream,” 1.1 (1856)
Dare to be true. Nothing can need a lie:
A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby.George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
The Temple, “The Church Porch,” ll. 77-78 (1633)
The ultimate end of human acts is eudaimonia, happiness in the sense of “living well,” which all men desire; all acts are but different means chosen to arrive at it.
Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
The Life of the Mind, Vol. 2 “Willing,” Part 2, ch. 7 (1977)
(Source)
Discussing Aristotle, noting he never addressed the moral issue of ends and means.
MR. CRAIG: I like a cleverish woman — a woman o’ sperrit — a managing woman.
George Eliot (1819-1880) English novelist [pseud. of Mary Ann Evans]
Adam Bede, 53 (1859)
But nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive how others can be in want.
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman
A Preface to the Bishop of Sarum’s Introduction to the Third Volume of the History of the Reformation of the Church of England (8 Dec 1713)
The most important step in getting a job done is the recognition of the problem. Once I recognize a problem I usually can think of someone who can work it out better than I could.
Leó Szilárd (1898-1964) Hungarian-American physicist
“I’m looking for a market for wisdom: Leo Szilard, scientist,” LIFE (1 Sep 1961)
Let us stand valiantly for what is decent and right; let us strike hard and take with unshaken front whatever comes, whether it be good or ill. Then the fates must decide what the outcome will be.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901-1909)
Letter
In James MacGregor Burns, Presidential Government, ch. 2 (1965)
We think our Fathers Fools, so wise we grow;
Our wiser Sons, no doubt, will think us so.Alexander Pope (1688-1744) English poet
“An Essay on Criticism,” l. 438 (1711)
The history of failure in war can be summed up in two words: Too Late.
Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) American general
Letter to William Allen White.
In William Manchester, American Caesar, ch. 4 (1978).
Love the sinner and hate the sin.
[Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum.]
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Christian church father, philosopher, saint [b. Aurelius Augustinus]
Opera Omnia, Vol. II, col. 962, letter 211.
ROSE: I didn’t say it was my fault. I said it was my responsibility. I know the difference.
Neil Gaiman (b. 1960) British author, screenwriter, fabulist
Sandman, Book 9. The Kindly Ones, # 60 “The Kindly Ones: 4” (1994-06)
(Source)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)
Numbers 6:24-26 [NRSV (2021 ed.)]
(Source)
The Lord speaking to Moses, on how Aaron and his sons should bless the people of Israel.
Alternate translations:
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
[KJV (1611)]
May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May Yahweh uncover his face to you and bring you peace.
[JB (1966)]
May the Lord bless you and take care of you;
May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;
May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.
[GNT (1976)]
May Yahweh bless you and keep you.
May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May Yahweh show you his face and bring you peace.
[NJB (1985)]
The Lord bless you and protect you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.
[CEB (2011)]
God bless you and protect you!
God deal kindly and graciously with you!
God bestow favor upon you and grant you peace!
[RJPS (2023 ed.)]
The economic system of theft has one great disadvantage: it works only while there is something to steal.
Philip Wylie (1902-1971) American author
Generation of Vipers, ch. 1 (1942)
True faith is belief in the reality of absolute values.
William Ralph Inge (1860-1954) English prelate [Dean Inge]
“Confessio Fidei,” Outspoken Essays: Second Series (1922)
Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
My Early Life: A Roving Commission, ch. 4 “Sandhurst” (1930)
There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up.
Rex Stout (1886-1975) American writer
Death of a Doxy, ch. 9 (1966)
Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
“Letter of Instruction Number 1” (6 Mar 1944); appendix (D) to War As I Knew It (1947)
The thoughts they had were the parents of the actions they did; their feelings were the parents of their thoughts.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and historian
“The Hero as Divinity,” On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (1841)
Do not worry if you are without a position; worry lest you do not deserve a position. Do not worry if you are not famous; worry lest you do not deserve to be famous.
[不患無位、患所以立、不患莫己知、求爲可知也]
Confucius (c. 551- c. 479 BC) Chinese philosopher, sage, politician [孔夫子 (Kǒng Fūzǐ, K'ung Fu-tzu, K'ung Fu Tse), 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ, Chungni), 孔丘 (Kǒng Qiū, K'ung Ch'iu)]
The Analects [論語, 论语, Lúnyǔ], Book 4, verse 14 (4.14) (6th C. BC – AD 3rd C.) [tr. Leys (1997)]
(Source)
(Source (Chinese)). See also 1.16, 14.30, 15.19. Alternate translations:
A man should say, I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one. I am not concerned that I am not known, I seek to be worthy to be known.
[tr. Legge (1861)]
One should not be greatly concerned at not being in office; but rather about the requirements in oneself for such a standing. Neither should one be so much concerned at being unknown; but rather with seeking to become worthy of being known.
[tr. Jennings (1895)]
Be not concerned for want of a position; be concerned how to fit yourself for a position. Be not concerned that you are not known, but seek to do something to deserve a reputation.
[tr. Ku Hung-Ming (1898)]
One should not be concerned at lack of position; but should be concerned about what will fit him to occupy it. One should not be concerned at being unknown; he should seek to be worthy of being known.
[tr. Soothill (1910)]
Not worried at being out of a job, but about being fit for one; not worried about being unknown but about doing something knowable.
[tr. Pound (1933)]
He does not mind not being in office; all he minds about is whether he has qualities that entitle him to office. He does not mind failing to get recognition; he is too busy doing the things that entitle him to recognition.
[tr. Waley (1938)]
Do not worry about not holding high position; worry rather about playing your proper role. Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.
[tr. Ware (1950)]
Do not worry because you have no official position. Worry about your qualifications. Do not worry because no one appreciates your abilities. Seek to be worthy of appreciation.
[tr. Lau (1979)]
One is not worried about not holding position; one is worried about how one may fit oneself for appointment. One is not worried that nobody knows one; one seeks to become fit to be known.
[tr. Dawson (1993)]
Do not worry about having no office; rather, worry about whether you deserve to stand in that office. Do not worry about nobody knowing you; rather, seek to be worth knowing.
[tr. Huang (1997)]
Do not worry about not being on the position, just worry about my quality on the position. Do not worry about that nobody understand me, just seek I can be understood.
[tr. Cai/Yu (1998), #81]
Do not worry over not having an official position; worry about what it takes to have one. Do not worry that no one acknowledges you; seek to do what will earn you acknowledgment.
[tr. Ames/Rosemont (1998)]
He does not worry that he has no position; he worries about whether he is qualified to hold one. He does not worry that no one recognizes his worth; he seeks to become worthy to be recognized.
[tr. Brooks/Brooks (1998)]
Don't worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one. Don't worry if you aren't known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration.
[tr. Hinton (1998)]
Do not be concerned that you lack an official position, but rather concern yourself with the means by which you might become established. Do not be concerned that no one has heard of you, but rather strive to become a person worthy of being known.
[tr. Slingerland (2003)]
Don’t worry that you have no position -- worry about how you can qualify for one. Don’t worry that people don’t know you -- look for some reason to become known.
[tr. Watson (2007)]
Do not worry that you have no official position. Worry about tnot having the qualifications to deserve a position. Do not worry that others do not know you. Seek to be worthy of being known.
[tr. Annping Chin (2014)]
You should not worry about not getting an official appointment. You should instead worry about whether you have the capability to take that assignment. You should not worry that people do not know you. You should instead strive for remarkable achievement.
[tr. Li (2020)]
Once killing starts, it is difficult to draw the line.
Tacitus (c.56-c.120) Roman historian, orator, politician [Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus]
Histories, Book I, ch. 39 (AD 100-110)
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
(Spurious)
Not found in Twain's writing. He was eleven when his father died.
History is often cruel, and rarely logical, and yet the wisest of realists are those who recognize that fate can indeed be shaped by human faith and courage.
Henry Kissinger (b. 1923) German-American diplomat
“Golda Meir: An Appreciation” (13 Nov 1977)
In the history of mankind, fanaticism has cause more harm than vice.
Louis Kronenberger (1904-1980) American critic, novelist, biographer
“Aphorisms,” Vogue (1 Mar 1964)
A leader leads by example not by force.
Sun-Tzu (fl. 6th C. AD) Chinese general and philosopher [a.k.a. Sun Wu]
The Art of War, ch. 9
Totalitarianism is never content to rule by external means, namely, through the state and a machinery of violence; thanks to its peculiar ideology and the role assigned to it in this apparatus of coercion, totalitarianism has discovered a means of dominating and terrorizing human beings from within.
Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) German-American philosopher, political theorist
The Origins of Totalitarianism, Part 3, ch. 10 “A Classless Society”, sec. 1 (1951)
(Source)
On with the dance! let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet
To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet.George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824) English poet
Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto 3, st. 22 (1818)
(Source)
