There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
(Attributed)
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
Essays (1580-1588)
I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content when I cannot be mended and patient when there be no redress.
Elizabeth Montagu (1720-1800) English intellectual, conversationalist
Letter (c. 1739)
A sex symbol becomes a thing. I hate being a thing.
Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) American actress, sex symbol
(Attributed)
If you’re sure you understand everything that’s going on, you’re hopelessly confused.
Walter Mondale (1928-2021) American politician
(Attributed)
It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.
Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
(Attributed)
Alt. trans.: "It is not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable."
It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I’m right.
Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
(Attributed)
Kindness is the mark of faith; and whoever has not kindness has not faith.
Muhammad (570-632) Arabian merchant, prophet, founder of Islam [Mohammed]
The Sayings of Mohammed, #254 [tr. Abdullah Al-Suhrawardy (1941)]
Patience is the key to contentment.
Muhammad (570-632) Arabian merchant, prophet, founder of Islam [Mohammed]
(Attributed)
I respect faith, but doubt is what gets you an education.
Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
(Attributed)
quoted in H L Mencken's Dictionary of Quotations (1942)
Life’s a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.
Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
(Attributed)
I never saw a mob rush across town to do a good deed.
Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
(Attributed)
The worst-tempered people I’ve ever met were the people who knew they were wrong.
Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
(Attributed)
I can usually judge a fellow by what he laughs at.
Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) American screenwriter and wit
(Attributed)
We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) American astronomer, educator
(Attributed)
The world of learning is so broad, and the human soul is so limited in power! We reach forth and strain every nerve, but we seize only a bit of the curtain that hides the infinite from us.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) American astronomer, educator
(Attributed)
When we are chafed and fretted by small cares, a look at the stars will show us the littleness of our own interests.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) American astronomer, educator
(Attributed)
Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.
Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) American astronomer, educator
Inscription on bust in American Academy of Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame (1905)
Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Paradise Lost, 1.648 (1667)
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Paradise Lost, 1.254 (1667)
A man may be heretic to the truth if he believes things only because his pastor says so, or the assembly so determines, without knowing other reason; though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Areopagitica
Loneliness is the first thing which God’s eye nam’d not good.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Tetrachordon
As good almost kill a man as kill a good book: who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God’s image; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were in the eye.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Areopagitica: a Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England (1644),
These two
Imparadis’d in one another’s arms.John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Paradise Lost, 4.505 (1667)
Knowledge cannot defile, nor consequently the books, if the will and conscience be not defiled …. Wholesome meats to a vitiated stomach differ little or nothing from unwholesome; and best books to a naughty mind are not unappliable to occasions of evil.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
Areopagitica
It is only to the individual faith of each that the Deity has opened the way to salvation.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
De Doctrina Cristana, Preface
Good, the more communicated, more abundant grows.
John Milton (1608-1674) English poet
(Attributed)
A cow may be drained dry; and if the Chancellors of the Exchequer persist in meeting every deficiency that occurs by taxing the brewing and distilling industries, they will inevitably kill the cow that lays the golden milk.
Frederick Milner (1849-1931) British politician
(Attributed)
One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
(Attributed)
“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily.
“So it is.”
“And freezing.”
“Is it?”
“Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
The House at Pooh Corner
Written down, it doesn’t seem a very good song, but coming through pale fawn fluff at about half-past eleven on a very sunny morning, it seemed to Pooh to be one of the best songs he had ever sung. So he went on singing it.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
The House at Pooh Corner
Pooh wondered if being a faithful Knight meant that you just went on being faithful without being told things.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
The House at Pooh Corner
“Good morning, Eeyore,” said Pooh.
“Good morning, Pooh Bear,” said Eeyore gloomily. “If it is a good morning,” he said. “Which I doubt,” said he.A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
“What would I do?” I said to Pooh,
“If it wasn’t for you,” and Pooh said: “True,
It isn’t much fun for One, but Two
Can stick together,” says Pooh, says he.
“That’s how it is,” says Pooh.A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Now We Are Six
The next moment the day became very bothering indeed, because Pooh was so busy not looking where he was going that he stepped on a piece of the Forest which had been left out by mistake.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
The House at Pooh Corner
Pooh knew what he meant, but, being a Bear of Very Little Brain, couldn’t think of the words.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 3 “The Search for Small” (1928)
(Source)
“Rabbit’s clever,” said Pooh.
“Yes,” said Piglet. “Rabbit’s clever.”
“And he has a Brain.”
“Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has a Brain.”
There was a long silence.
“I suppose,” said Pooh, “that’s why he never understands anything.”A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 8 “Piglet Does a Very Grand Thing” (1928)
(Source)
“Rabbit,” said Pooh to himself. “I like talking to Rabbit. He talks about sensible things. He doesn’t use long, difficult words, like Owl. He uses short, easy words, like ‘What about lunch?’ and ‘Help yourself, Pooh.'”
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 4 “Tiggers Don’t Climb Trees” (1928)
(Source)
“Look at me jumping” squeaked Roo, and fell into another mouse-hole.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
“I have been Foolish and Deluded,” said Pooh, “and I am a Bear of No Brain at All.”
“You’re the Best Bear in All the World,” said Christopher Robin soothingly.A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
Kanga said to Roo, “Drink up your milk first, dear, and talk afterwards.” So Roo, who was drinking his milk, tried to say that he could do both at once
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
“Eeyore, what are you doing there?” said Rabbit.
“I’ll give you three guesses, Rabbit. Digging holes in the ground? Wrong. Leaping from branch to branch of a young oak-tree? Wrong. Waiting for somebody to help me out of the river? Right. Give Rabbit time, and he’ll always get the answer.”A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 6 “Eeyore Joins the Game” (1928)
(Source)
“Hallo, are you stuck?”
“N-no,” said Pooh carelessly. “Just resting and thinking and humming to myself.”A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
“It’s the same thing,” he said.A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh (1926)
But now I am Six, I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six now for ever and ever.A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Now We are Six, “The End”
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
House at Pooh Corner, ch. 10 “An Enchanted Place” (1928)
(Source)
You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.
A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English poet and playwright [Alan Alexander Milne]
Winnie-the-Pooh
To be absolutely certain about something, one must know everything or nothing about it.
Olin Miller (fl. early 20th C) American humorist
(Attributed)
What a pity human beings can’t exchange problems. Everyone knows exactly how to solve the other fellow’s.
Olin Miller (fl. early 20th C) American humorist
(Attributed)
You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.
Olin Miller (fl. early 20th C) American humorist
(Attributed)
First quoted by Walter Winchell, "On Broadway" (7 Jan 1937)
Also frequently attributed to Mark Twain, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Ethel Barrett; the latter used it ("We would worry less about what others think of us, if we realized how seldom they do") in her 1968 book Don’t Look Now But Your Personality is Showing. See here for more information.
Variants:
- "You’ll worry less about what people think about you when you realize how seldom they do."
- "You wouldn’t worry about what people may think of you if you could know how seldom they do."
- "We wouldn’t worry so much about what folks think of us if we knew how seldom they do."
- "You wouldn’t worry so much about what people think of you, if you knew how seldom they do."
- "You wouldn’t worry so much about what other people think if you realized how seldom they do."
See also Johnson.
As a matter of fact, have you never noticed that most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness?
Margaret Millar (1915-1994) American-Canadian mystery and suspense writer
The Weak-Eyed Bat (1942)
(Source)
Often misattributed to Mark Twain, usually as "Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses."
More information on this quote's origins: Most Conversations Are Simply Monologues Delivered in the Presence of a Witness – Quote Investigator®
Laws are only words written on paper, words that change on society’s whim and are interpreted differently daily by politicians, lawyers, judges, and policemen. Anyone who believes that all laws should always be obeyed would have made a fine slave catcher. Anyone who believes that all laws are applied equally, despite race, religion, or economic status, is a fool.
John J. Miller (b. 1954) American writer
Wild Cards IX, “And Hope to Die” (1991)
(ed. George R. R. Martin)
The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love.
Henry Miller (1891-1980) American novelist
Insomnia, or The Devil at Large (1971)
Republicans say that Democrats want a huge, monolithic Federal institution that will compromise personal liberty and freedom by controlling individuals’ lives with intrusive policies and a dictatorial agenda. Republicans, of course, believe that is the job of Organized Religion.
Dennis Miller (b. 1953) American comedian, television personality
(Attributed)
The biggest conspiracy has always been the fact that there is no conspiracy. Nobody’s out to get you. Nobody gives a shit whether you live or die. There, you feel better now?
Dennis Miller (b. 1953) American comedian, television personality
(Attributed)