No sacramental act achieves anything unless it is an outward symbol of what really happens inwardly in experience. The test of that is the reality of the new life as exhibited in its ethical consequences. “How can we who are dead to sin live any longer in sin?” If baptism is a real dying and rising again, then it is indeed a profound revolution in the personal life, a revolution which is simply bound to show itself in a new moral character.
C. Harold Dodd (1884-1973) American religious writer
The Meaning of Paul for Today (1958)
Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you make the whole trip that way.
E. L. Doctorow (1931-2015) American author, editor
Writers at Work, 8th ed., ed. by George Plimpton (1988)
It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) English politician and author
Speech, House of Commons (24 Jan 1860)
Emperors are necessarily wretched men since only their assassination can convince the public that the conspiracies against their lives are real.
[Condicionem principum miserrimam aiebat, quibus de coniuratione comperta non crederetur nisi occisis.]Domitian (51-96) Roman Emperor
(Attributed)
Suetonius, Life of Domitian, ch. 21
All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God
John Donne (1572-1631) English poet
Devotions on Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII (1624)
Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls;
For, thus friends absent speak.John Donne (1572-1631) English poet
Verse Letter to Sir Henry Wotton (1597)
Death be not proud, though some have callèd thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.John Donne (1572-1631) English poet
Holy Sonnets, No. 10, “Death Be Not Proud,” ll. 1-4 (1609)
(Source)
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
John Donne (1572-1631) English poet
Devotions on Emergent Occasions, Meditation 17 (1624)
Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
“Celebrating a Lie”
Originality and the feeling of one’s own dignity are achieved only through work and struggle.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
Diary of a Writer (1877)
Man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is ready to deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
Notes from the Underground (1864)
Every man has some reminiscences which he would not tell to everyone, but only to his friends. He has others which he would not reveal even to his friends, but only to himself, and that in secret. But finally there are still others which a man is even afraid to tell himself, and every decent man has a considerable number of such things stored away. That is, one can even say that the more decent he is, the greater the number of such things in his mind.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
Notes from the Underground (1864)
But men love abstract reasoning and neat systematization so much that they think nothing of distorting the truth, closing their eyes and ears to contrary evidence to preserve their logical constructions.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) Russian novelist
(Attributed)
If a man harbors any sort of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality, makes him landlord to a ghost.
Lloyd Douglas (1877-1951) American Congregationalist clergyman and novelist
(Attributed)
If you want to know about a man you can find out an awful lot by looking at who he married.
Kirk Douglas (1916-2020) American actor
The Daily Mail (London) (9 Sep. 1988)
What is all wisdom save a collection of platitudes? But the man who orders his life according to their teachings cannot go far wrong.
Norman Douglas (1868-1952) Austro-British writer
South Wind, ch. 16 (1917)
The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedom.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
Roth vs. United States, 354 U.S. 476, dissenting opinion (1957)
Justice is too good for some people and not good enough for the rest.
Norman Douglas (1868-1952) Austro-British writer
Good-bye to Western Culture (1930)
Living in Los Angeles is not blameworthy per se.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
Lambert v. California (1958)
Government should be concerned with anti-social conduct, not with utterances.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
Roth vs. United States, 354 U.S. 476, dissenting opinion (1957)
Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 US 470 (1965) (7 Jun 1965)
As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air — however slight — lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
Speech to Young Lawyers Section of the Washington State Bar Association (10 Sep. 1976)
Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.
William O. Douglas (1898-1980) US Supreme Court justice (1939-75)
The Nieman Reports, vol. 7, no. 1, “The One Un-Amercan Act” (Jan. 1953)
No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) American abolitionist, orator, writer
Speech, Civil Rights Mass Meeting, Washington, D.C. (1883)
The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) American abolitionist, orator, writer
Speech on West India Emancipation (4 Aug 1857)
Also cited (in part) as a letter to a colleague in 1849. More background here.
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) British writer and physician
The Sign of Four, ch. 6, (Sherlock Holmes) (1889)
The dogge waggeth his tayle, not for you, but for your bread.
Thomas Draxe (d. 1618) English writer [also Thomas Drake]
Bibliotheca Scholastica Instructissima (1633)
earlier ed. 1616?
Do not believe that it is very much of an advance to do the unnecessary three times as fast.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(1969)
On computers
Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
The understanding that underlies the right decision grows out of the clash and conflict of opinions and out of the serious consideration of competing alternatives.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 29 (1974)
Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, ch. 2 (1974)
Sometimes quoted as "Management" and "Leadership"; also attrib. Warren Bennis
There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
My greatest strength as a consultant is to be ignorant and ask a few questions.
Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) Austrian-American business consultant
(Attributed)
He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave.
Sir William Drummond (1770-1828) Scottish scholar and philosopher
Academical Questions, Preface (1805)
(sometimes attrib. Byron)
To get to heaven we must take it with us.
Henry Drummond (1851-1897) Scottish cleric, naturalist
(Attributed)
Beware the fury of a patient man.
John Dryden (1631-1700) English poet, dramatist, critic
Absalom and Achitophel, Part I, l. 1005 (1681)
How can finite grasp infinity?
John Dryden (1631-1700) English poet, dramatist, critic
(Attributed)
Errors like straws upon the surface flow:
Who would search for pearls must dive below.John Dryden (1631-1700) English poet, dramatist, critic
All for Love, Prologue (1677)
A capacity to change is indispensable. Equally indispensable is the capacity to hold fast to that which is good.
John Foster Dulles (1888-1959) American politician and diplomat
(Attributed)
The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963) American writer, historian, social reformer [William Edward Burghardt Du Bois]
John Brown (1909)
Efficiency is intelligent laziness.
David Dunham (contemp.) American computer programmer, game designer
(Attributed)
http://lists.trolltech.com/qt-interest/2002-01/thread00788-0.html
Don’t let them tame you!
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) American dancer, choreographer
Curtain speech, Symphony Hall, Boston (1922)
If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it.
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) American dancer, choreographer
(Attributed)
And that’s the world in a nutshell, an appropriate receptacle.
(Other Authors and Sources)
Stan Dunn
A fanatic is a man who does what he thinks th’ Lord wud do if He knew th’ facts iv the case.
[A fanatic is a man who does what he thinks the Lord would do if He knew the facts of the case.]
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) American humorist and journalist
“Casual Observations,” Mr. Dooley’s Opinions (1901)
Trust everyone, but cut the cards.
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) American humorist and journalist
Mr. Dooley’s Opinions, “Casual Observations” (1901)
‘Twas founded be th’ Puritans to give thanks f’r bein’ presarved fr’m th’ Indyans, an’ … we keep it to give thanks we are presarved fr’m th’ Puritans.
[It was founded by the Puritans to give thanks for being preserved from the Indians, and … we keep it to give thanks we are preserved from the Puritans.]
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) American humorist and journalist
Mr. Dooley’s Opinions, “Thanksgiving” (1900)
Th’ past always looks better thin it was. It’s only pleasant because it isn’t here.
[The past always looks better than it was. It’s only pleasant because it isn’t here.]
Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) American humorist and journalist
A Family Union, “Mr. Dooley”
Education is the transmission of civilization.
Ariel Durant (1898-1981) American writer
(Attributed)
The conservative who resists change is as valuable as the radical who proposes it.
William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
The Lessons of History, ch. 5, “Character & History” (1968)
Inquiry is fatal to certainty.
William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
The Age of Faith, ch. 38 “The Age of Romance” (1950)
(Source)
One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.
William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
NY World-Telegram & Sun (6 Jun 1958)
The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.
William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
Recalled on his death (7 Nov. 1981)
http://www.bartleby.com/63/83/4983.html
Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years.
William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
(Attributed)
A little rule, a little sway,
A sunbeam in a winter’s day,
Is all the proud and mighty have
Between the cradle and the grave.John Dyer (1699-1757) British poet
“Grongar Hill,” ll. 88-91
Just because you like my stuff doesn’t mean I owe you anything.
Bob Dylan (b. 1941) American singer, songwriter
(1965)
Enthusiasm for one’s goal lessens the disagreeableness of working toward it.
Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) American artist, educator
(Attributed)
Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.
Charles Eames (1907-1978) American architect, industrial designer
(1969)
It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.
Max Eastman (1883-1969) American writer and editor
Enjoyment of Laughter (1936)
You can’t let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones.
Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001) American auto racer
(Attributed)
I’m interested in the fact that the less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice.
Clint Eastwood (b. 1930) American actor, politician
(Attributed)
Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources.
Abba Eban (1915-2002) Israeli politician and diplomat [b. Aubrey Solomon Eban]
Speech, Japan (19 Mar 1967)
Regarding the problems between Israel and her neighborsOther references by Eban:Eban used the phrases in various ways, but generically for all nations, for many years.Variants referencing America are usually attributed starting in the early 1980s to Winston Churchill, but not found in his writings or attributions to him at the time:
- "Nations do behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives." (6 Jun 1967)
- "The question is whether there is any reason to believe that such a new era may yet come to pass. If I am sanguine on this point, it is because of a conviction that men and nations do behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. Surely the other alternatives of war and belligerency have now been exhausted." (Speech, United Nations, 16 Jun 1967)
For more info, see here.
- "Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities."
- "The Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing, once all other possibilities have been exhausted."
- "You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing after they have tried everything else."
- "The Americans will always do the right thing, after they've exhausted all the alternatives."
A statesman who keeps his ear permanently glued to the ground will have neither elegance of posture nor flexibility of movement.
Abba Eban (1915-2002) Israeli politician and diplomat [b. Aubrey Solomon Eban]
(Attributed)
There is a little immaturity stuck away in the crannies of even the most judicious of us, and we should treasure it.
Roger Ebert (1942-2013) American film critic, journalist, screenwriter
Review of The Mummy (May 1999)
Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love their cow — for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God, when they love Him for their own advantage.
Meister Eckhart (c. 1260-1328?) German theologian, philosopher, mystic [a.k.a. Johannes Eckhart von Hochheim; Eckhart; Eckehart]
(Attributed)
We must not in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.
Marian Wright Edelman (b. 1939) American social reformer, lawyer, author
Families in Peril (1987)
The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if one will only take the pains to train the mind to think. Why do so many men never amount to anything? Because they don’t think.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
“They Won’t Think” (1921)
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Spurious)
The quotation is first recorded anonymously in 1921, but is not attributed to Edison until 1962. More discussion here: Opportunity Is Missed Because It Is Dressed in Overalls and Looks Like Work – Quote Investigator.
What you are will show in what you do.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Too many men drift lazily into any job, suited or unsuited for them; and when they don’t get along well they blame everybody and everything but themselves. Grouches are nearly always pinheads, small men who have never made any effort to improve their mental capacity.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
“They Won’t Think” (1921)
As a cure for worrying, work is better than whiskey.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
(Source)
When told by an associate, Walter S. Mallory, that it was a shame that several months of work on new battery technology hadn't yielded any results. Recorded in Dyer and Martin, Edison: His Life and Inventions, Vol. 2, ch. 24 (1910) as an anecdote by Mallory.
More discussion about this quotation's origins and variants: I Have Gotten a Lot of Results! I Know Several Thousand Things That Won’t Work – Quote Investigator.
If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
You know gang, when you’re a superhero, you never know where the day will take you. You may find yourself halfway around the world in the shark-infested waters of true-to-life living. Or you may find yourself going down to the store for a lozenge. You can’t know, can you? No! You gotta ride that wave, You gotta suck that lozenge! Cause if you don’t, who will?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
Everybody was a baby once, Arthur. Oh, sure, maybe not today, or even yesterday. But once! Babies, chum: tiny, dimpled, fleshy mirrors of our us-ness, that we parents hurl into the future, like leathery footballs of hope! And you’ve got to get a good spiral on that baby, or evil will make an interception!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
INTERVIEWER: Can you destroy the Earth?
THE TICK: Egad, I hope not! That’s where I keep all my stuff!Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Life is a big wild crazy tossed salad, but you don’t eat it, no sir! You live it! Isn’t it great?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 6, “The Tick vs. El Seed” (1994)
I’m betting that I’m just abnormal enough to survive.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 5, “The Tick vs. The Breadmaster” (1994)
Arthur, I just had the strangest dream. I was taking some math test I hadn’t studied for … and then you tried to saw off my head. Weird, huh?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 8, “The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold” (1994)
Yes, evil comes in many forms, whether it be a man-eating cow or Joseph Stalin, but you can’t let the package hide the pudding! Evil is just plain bad! You don’t cotton to it. You gotta smack it in the nose with the rolled-up newspaper of goodness! Bad dog! Bad dog!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
Destiny has her hand on my back, and she’s pushing!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 13, “The Tick vs. Arthur’s Bank Account” (1995)
I don’t know the meaning of the word surrender! I mean, I know it, I’m not dumb. Just not in this context.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 8, “The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold” (1994)
Falling in love with a supervillain is Trouble with a capital Troub.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, “The Tick vs. the Ottoman Empire”
You’re not going crazy, you’re going sane in a crazy world!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Isn’t sanity really just a one trick pony anyway? I mean all of you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you’re good and crazy, oooh oooh oooh, the sky is the limit!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 22, “Ants in the Pants!” (1995)
Oh what a goofy work is man!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
On justice and on friendship, there is no price, but there are established credit limits.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 13, “The Tick vs. Arthur’s Bank Account” (1995)
Destiny’s powerful hand has made the bed of my future and it’s up to me to lie in it. I am destined to be a superhero to right wrongs and pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evil-doers everywhere. You don’t fight destiny, no sir! And you don’t eat crackers in the bed of your future or you get all … scratchy. Hey, I’m narrating here!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Well, once again my friend, we find that science is a two-headed beast. One head is nice, it gives us aspirin and other modern conveniences … but the other head of science is bad! Oh beware the other head of science, Arthur, it bites!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 3, “The Tick vs. Dinosaur Neil” (1994)
And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
It’s starting to smell a little like danger in here — or heavily fried food.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 12, “The Tick vs. Proto Clown” (1995)
Perhaps one of the only pieces of advice that I was ever given was that supplied by an old courtier who observed: Only two rules really count. Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself; never miss a chance to sit down and rest your feet.
Edward VIII (1894-1972) King of England [Edward, Duke of Windsor]
A King’s Story (1951)
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.
Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) American theologian, writer, lexicographer
(Attributed)
He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today.
Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) American theologian, writer, lexicographer
(Attributed)
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery — even if mixed with fear — that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
The World As I See It, Title Essay (1931) (1949)
(Source)
The essay is also known as "Mein Weltbild" or "My Worldview." Alternate translation: "The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. He who knows it not and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead, a snuffed-out candle. It was the experience of mystery -- even if mixed with fear -- that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which are only accessible to our reason in their most elementary forms -- it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man."
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
[Wenige sind imstande, von den Vorurteilen der Umgebung abweichende Meinungen gelassen auszusprechen; die Meisten sind sogar unfähig, überhaupt zu solchen Meinungen zu gelangen.]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Neun Aphorismen” (23 May 1953), Essays Presented to Leo Baeck on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (1954) [Einstein Archives 28-962]
(Source)