Incredulity is the wisdom of the fool.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Men are disturbed not by things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A man must not swallow more beliefs than he can digest.
—Havelock Ellis (1859–1939) British Sexologist, Physician, Social Reformer
The releasing of attachment to object and certain beliefs was already indelibly written as a very necessary step in my human progress toward being.
—Marlo Morgan (1937–98) American Novelist, Author
There is no argument in the world that carries the hatred that a relioious belief does. The more learned a man is, the less consideration he has for another man’s belief.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
The fearful unbelief is unbelief in yourself.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. Believing a solution paves the way to solution.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
A conservative believes nothing should be done for the first time.
—Lynwood L. Giacomini (1913–91) American Publisher, Bibliophile
I doubt if one ever accepts a belief until one urgently needs it.
—Christopher Isherwood (1904–86) Anglo-American Novelist, Playwright
Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy…. Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture … Do not build obstacles in your imagination … Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as you can.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
I believe in Christianity as I believe in the rising sun; not because I see it, but by it I can see all else.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
The only disadvantage of an honest heart is credulity.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Through the dark and stormy night Faith beholds a feeble light Up the blackness streaking; Knowing God’s own time is best, In a patient hope I rest For the full day-breaking.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
You can do what you think you can do and you cannot do what you think you cannot.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Lawyer, Writer, Economist, Humorist
We won’t even attempt to achieve what we do not believe at a deep level we can have or deserve.
—Ruth Ross
If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.
—Jacques Cousteau (1910–97) French Oceanographer, Documentary Director
Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for—because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.
—Peter Marshall
Faith is the final triumph over incongruity, the final assertion of the meaningfulness of existence.
—Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) American Christian Theologian
I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
They believe that nothing will happen because they have closed their doors.
—Maurice Maeterlinck (1862–1949) Belgian Poet, Playwright, Essayist
I believe we can proactively choose to believe whatever we want instead of merely letting our beliefs coalesce as reactions to events.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
Not believing has a sickness which is believing a little.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Believe one who has proved it. Believe an expert.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
It is by believing in roses that one brings them to bloom.
—French Proverb
Never believe in anything until it has been officially denied.
—Otto von Bismarck (1815–98) German Chancellor, Prime Minister
Your belief in God is merely an escape from your monotonous, stupid and cruel life
—Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) Indian Philosopher
A belief which does not spring from a conviction in the emotions is no belief at all.
—Evelyn Scott (1893–1963) American Novelist, Playwright, Poet