All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.
—Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953) British Historian, Poet, Critic
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
For better or worse, I’ve been involved in the description of political conflict.
—John le Carre (1931–2020) English Spy Thriller Novelist
No man is hurt but by himself.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
—Max Lucado (b.1955) American Author, Minister, Speaker
I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.
—Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) British Actor
There can be no reconciliation where there is no open warfare. There must be a battle, a brave boisterous battle, with pennants waving and cannon roaring, before there can be peaceful treaties and enthusiastic shaking of hands.
—Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835–1915) English Novelist
Our greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
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
The archenemy is the arch stupid!
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
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) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most. On Other Peoples Expectations: The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor; he took my measurement anew every time he saw me, while all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
What good is it if I talk in flowers while you’re thinking in pastry?
—Ashleigh Brilliant (1933–2025) American Epigrammatist, Author, Cartoonist
Commonly they must use their feet for defense whose only weapon is their tongue.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Comedy comes from conflict, from hatred.
—Warren Mitchell (1926–2015) English Actor
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 Commentator
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
You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
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
No doubt there are other important things in life besides conflict, but there are not many other things so inevitably interesting. The very saints interest us most when we think of them as enganged in a conflict with the Devil.
—Robert Wilson Lynd (1879–1949) Irish Essayist, Critic
No one from the beginning of time has had security.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
There are always two forces warring against each other within us.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Philosopher, Religious Leader
More will mean worse.
—Martin Amis (1949–2023) British Novelist, Journalist
Only by pride comes contention; but, with the well-advised is wisdom.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
There are three principles in a man’s being and life, the principle of thought, the principle of speech, and the principle of action. The origin of all conflict between me and my fellow-men is that I do not say what I mean and I don’t do what I say.
—Martin Buber (1878–1965) Austrian Jewish Theologian, Philosopher, Novelist
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
When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can make the world safe for diversity.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
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