If you want security, go to prison.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than of death.
—James F. Byrnes (1882–1972) American Elected Representative, Political leader, Politician
In a world in which the total of human knowledge is doubling about every ten years, our security can rest only on our ability to learn
—Nathaniel Branden (1930–2014) American Psychotherapist
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
Solvency is entirely a matter of temperament, not of income.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
There is no such thing as security. There never has been.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Living based in security is living based in fear.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
I’m hostile to men, I’m hostile to women, I’m hostile to cats, to poor cockroaches, I’m afraid of horses.
—Norman Mailer (1923–2007) American Novelist Essayist
Is there any sex-distinction in the Atman (Self)? Out with the differentiation between man and woman—all is Atman! Give up the identification with the body, and stand up!
—Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
There’s no telling what might have happened to our defense budget if Saddam Hussein hadn’t invaded Kuwait that August and set everyone gearing up for World War II. Can we count on Saddam Hussein to come along every year and resolve our defense-policy debates? Given the history of the Middle East, it’s possible.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist
Probably the only place where a man can feel really secure is in a maximum security prison, except for the imminent threat of release.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
Security is when everything is settled. When nothing can happen to you. Security is the denial of life.
—Germaine Greer (b.1939) Australia Academic, Journalist, Scholar, Writer
They have discovered that security is not having things; it’s handling things. Thus, when you can answer all your “what if”s with “I can handle it,” you can approach all things with a no-lose guarantee, and the fear disappears.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
God Himself is not secure, having given man dominion over His works.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
It is when we all play safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
What can we take on trust
in this uncertain life? Happiness, greatness,
pride – nothing is secure, nothing keeps.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Our capacity to retaliate must be, and is, massive in order to deter all forms of aggression.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
Shun security.
—Thales of Miletus (c.624–c.545 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician
Kipling sees clearly that men can only be highly civilized while other men, inevitably less civilised, are there to guard and feed them.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.
—John Muir (1838–1914) Scottish-born American Naturalist
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression gainst any neighbor—anywhere in the world.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Harsh necessity, and the newness of my kingdom, force me to do such things and to guard my frontiers everywhere.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
There is nothing assured to mortals.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Yet one thing secures us what ever betide, the scriptures assures us the Lord will provide.
—Isaac Newton (1643–1727) English Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Theologian
Security is not the meaning of my life. Great opportunities are worth the risk.
—Shirley Hufstedler (1925–2016) American Lawyer, Jurist
Security is the chief enemy of mortals.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
When you know that you’re capable of dealing with whatever comes, you have the only security the world has to offer.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
All things human hang by a slender thread; and that which seemed to stand strong suddenly falls and sinks in ruins.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
I don’t want expensive gifts; I don’t want to be bought. I have everything I want. I just want someone to be there for me, to make me feel safe and secure.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist