The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice
—Unknown
Every society honors its live conformists
and its dead troublemakers.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
What is the use of running when we are on the wrong.
—Common Proverb
Things have got to be wrong in order that they may be deplored.
—Alfred Whitney Griswold (1906–63) American Historian, Educator
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
Right is right only when entire.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
I leave this rule for others when I’m dead: Be always sure you’re right — THEN GO AHEAD!
—Davy Crockett (1786–1836) American Frontiersman, Politician
Men speak of natural rights, but I challenge any one to show where in nature any rights existed or were recognized until there was established for their declaration and protection a duly promulgated body of corresponding laws.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Never do wrong when people are looking.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Copernicus … did not publish his book [on the nature of the solar system] until he was on his deathbed. He knew how dangerous it is to be right when the rest of the world is wrong.
—Thomas Brackett Reed (1839–1902) American Politician, Lawyer
Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought. Let us have faith that right makes might and in that faith let us; to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
I received a letter from a lad asking me for an easy berth. To this I replied: You cannot be an editor; do not try the law; do not think of the ministry; let alone all ships and merchandise; abhor politics; don’t practice medicine; be not a farmer or a soldier or a sailor; don’t study, don’t think. None of these are easy. O, my son, you have come into a hard world. I know of only one easy place in it, and that is the grave.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
In the blood of the martyrs to intolerance are the seeds of unbelief.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
Considering how dangerous everything is, nothing is really very frightening.
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer
Without our stories, we are not only able to act clearly and fearlessly, we are also a friend, a listener. We are people living happy lives. We are appreciation and gratitude that have become as natural as breath itself. Happiness is the natural state for someone who knows that there’s nothing to know and that we already have everything we need, right here now.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
The play account rule is that it must be spent every month. That’s right! Each month you have to blow all the money in that account in a way that makes you feel rich. For example, imagine walking into a massage center, dumping all the money from your account on the counter, pointing to the massage therapists, and saying, “I want both of you on me. With the hot rocks and the frickin’ cucumbers. After that, bring me lunch!”
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
The Divine Plan is one of Freedom. The inherent nature of man is ever seeking to express itself in terms of freedom, because freedom is the birthright of every living soul.
—Ernest Holmes (1887–1960) American New Thought Writer, Teacher
Rights! There are no rights whatever without corresponding duties. Look at the history of the growth of our constitution, and you will see that our ancestors never upon any occasion stated, as a ground for claiming any of their privileges, an abstract right inherent in themselves; you will nowhere in our parliamentary records find the miserable sophism of the Rights of Man.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
I can honestly say that I was never affected by the question of the success of an undertaking. If I felt it was the right thing to do, I was for it regardless of the possible outcome.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient.
—Bodie Thoene
Things are as they are. Looking out into it the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.
—Alan Watts (1915–73) British-American Philosopher, Author
Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Nothing but the right can ever be expedient, since that can never be true expediency which would sacrifice a greater good to a less.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong.
—Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847) Irish Nationalist Leader
The best words for resolving a disagreement are, “I could be wrong; I often am.” It’s true.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
One cannot imagine St. Francis of Assisi talking about rights.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
The real compensation of a right action is inherent in having performed it.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State