Of what worth are convictions that bring not suffering?
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
Rational free spirits are the light brigade who go on ahead and reconnoiter the ground which the heavy brigade of the orthodox will eventually occupy.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy—the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Faith is an act of a finite being who is grasped by and turned to the infinite.
—Paul Tillich (1886–1965) German-born Protestant Theologian
All the scholastic scaffolding falls, as a ruined edifice, before one single word—faith.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
All personal breakthroughs being with a change in beliefs. So how do we change? The most effective way is to get your brain to associate massive pain to the old belief. You must feel deep in your gut that not only has this belief cost you pain in the past, but it’s costing you in the present and, ultimately, can only bring you pain in the future. Then you must associate tremendous pleasure to the idea of adopting a new, empowering belief.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
The fact that a believer is happier than a sceptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
When the intensity of emotional conviction subsides, a man who is in the habit of reasoning will search for logical grounds in favor of the belief which he finds in himself.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
Man makes holy what he believes, as he makes beautiful what he loves.
—Ernest Renan (1823–92) French Philosopher, Historian
Faith is the result of the act of the will, following upon a conviction that to believe is a duty.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Man can believe the impossible, but can never believe the improbable.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible.
—Unknown
To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Few really believe. The most only believe that they believe or even make believe.
—John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916) American Catholic Clergyman, Essayist, Biographer
They were so strong in their beliefs that there came a time when it hardly mattered what exactly those beliefs were; they all fused into a single stubbornness.
—Louise Erdrich (b.1954) American Author, Poet, Novelist
The Gateway to Christianity is not through an intricate labyrinth of dogma, but by a simple belief in the person of Christ.
—William Lyon Phelps (1865–1943) American Literary Scholar, Academic
The very act of believing creates strength of its own.
—Indian Proverb
Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.
—Joel A. Barker
People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.
—Unknown
If you think you can do it, you can.
—Eric Lindros (b.1973) Canadian Hockey Player
I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now? Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
Faith is a certitude without proofs … a sentiment, for it is a hope; it is an instinct, for it precedes all outward instruction.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
It doesn’t matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it’s important to realize that whatever you’re doing, it’s your first attempt at it.
—Wally Amos (1936–2024) American Entrepreneur, Famous Amos Cookie Founder
Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Incredulity is the wisdom of the fool.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.
—Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957) Greek Novelist, Poet, Dramatist
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