The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
All a man’s affairs become diseased when he wishes to cure evils by evils.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The wishing gate opens into nothing.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself in every way he can, never suspecting that anybody wishes to hinder him.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Love wishes to perpetuate itself. Love wishes for immortality.
—Mortimer J. Adler (1902–2001) American Philosopher, Educator
The poor wish to be rich, the rich wish to be happy, the single wish to be married, and the married wish to be dead.
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Some people develop a wishbone where their backbone should be.
—Unknown
If a lecturer, he wishes to be heard; if a writer, to be read. He always hopes for a public beyond that of the long-suffering wife.
—Samuel Eliot Morison (1887–1976) American Historian, Naval Officer
There is no requirement that police stop a person who enters a police station and states that he wishes to confess a crime or a person who calls the police to offer a confession because volunteered statements of any kind are not barred by the 5th Amendment.
—Earl Warren (1891–1974) American Judge, Politician
Prayer, in its simplest definition, is merely a wish turned God-ward.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
The apparently irreconcilable dissimilarity between our wishes and our means, between our hearts and this world, remains a riddle.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Happy the man who early learns the wide chasm that lies between his wishes and his powers.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits.
—Anna Pavlova (1881–1931) Russian Ballerina
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Whoever wishes to keep a secret must hide the fact that he possesses one.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
I could write down twenty cases wherein I wished that God had done otherwise than he did, but which I now see, if I had had my own way, would have led to extensive mischief.
—Richard Cecil
What we ardently wish we soon believe.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Our inventions mirror our secret wishes.
—Lawrence Durrell (1912–90) British Biographer, Poet, Playwright, Novelist
The poet enjoys the incomparable privilege of being able to be himself and others, as he wishes.
—Charles Baudelaire (1821–67) French Poet, Art Critic, Essayist, Translator
Destiny has two ways of crushing us—by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
A tough lesson in life that one has to learn is that not everybody wishes you well.
—Dan Rather (b.1931) American Newscaster, Author
Here the ways of men part: if you wish to strive for peace of soul and pleasure, then believe; if you wish to be a devotee of truth, then inquire
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The fact is that people are good, if only their fundamental wishes are satisfied, their wish for affection and security. Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
Men admire the man who can organize their wishes and thoughts in stone and wood and steel and brass.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher