I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly conflict.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
It is the eternal struggle between these two principles—right and wrong. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. It is the same spirit that says, “You work and toil and earn bread, and I’ll eat it.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
—Max Lucado (b.1955) American Christian Author, Minister
The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same time, as polished as your sword.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
Those that are the loudest in their threats are the weakest in the execution of them.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
More will mean worse.
—Martin Amis (1949–2023) British Novelist, Journalist
I believe in getting into hot water. I think it keeps you clean.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
We must become acquainted with our emotional household: we must see our feelings as they actually are, not as we assume they are. This breaks their hypnotic and damaging hold on us.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
For better or worse, I’ve been involved in the description of political conflict.
—John le Carre (1931–2020) English Spy Thriller Novelist
Like a ball bated back and forth, a human being is batted by two forces within.
—The Upanishads Sacred Books of Hinduism
We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
We are enslaved by anything we do not consciously see. We are freed by conscious perception.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
You can’t comfort the afflicted with afflicting the comfortable.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Comedy comes from conflict, from hatred.
—Warren Mitchell (1926–2015) English Actor
The archenemy is the arch stupid!
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The war existing between the senses and reason.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict—alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.
—Dorothy Thompson (1893–1961) American Journalist, Radio Personality
The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.
—Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) British Actor
A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
One might as well try to ride two horses moving in different directions, as to try to maintain in equal force two opposing or contradictory sets of desires.
—Robert Collier (1885–1950) American Self-Help Author
You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
He who calls in the aid of an equal understanding, doubles his own; and he who profits by a superior understanding, raises his powers to a level with the height of the understanding he unites with.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The effect of violent dislike between groups has always created an indifference to the welfare and honor of the state.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–59) English Historian, Essayist, Philanthropist
The easiest thing to find on God’s green earth is someone to tell you all the things you cannot do.
—Richard DeVos (1926–2018) American Businessman, Philanthropist
It’s when you’re safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you’re having an adventure you wish you were safe at home.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Leave a Reply