The causes of events are ever more interesting than the events themselves.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem. It is true that you may fool all of the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
It all depends on how we look at things, and not on how things are in themselves. The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
The eye is the jewel of the body.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
In order to change, we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.
—Unknown
A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A man lives not only his personal life as an individual but also, consciously or unconsciously, the life of his epoch and his contemporaries.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Short Story Writer, Social Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?”
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.
—Jimmy Carter (b.1924) American Head of State, Military Leader
If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.
—Chinese Proverb
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Laws change; people die; the land remains.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Not everything which is bad comes to hurt us.
—Italian Proverb
The past is of no importance. The present is of no importance. It is with the future that we have to deal. For the past is what man should not have been. The present is what man ought not to be. The future is what artists are.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company.
—Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–80) French Philosopher, Playwright, Novelist, Screenwriter, Political Activist
Slavery is an institution for converting men into monkeys.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes alone, and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
There’s a way to do better… find it.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur