The war existing between the senses and reason.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
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
Let us move from the era of confrontation to the era of negotiation.
—Richard Nixon (1913–94) American Head of State, Lawyer
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
You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
—Max Lucado (b.1955) American Christian Author, Minister
Insight into the two selves within a man clears up many confusions and contradictions. It was our understanding that preceded our victory.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
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
Jesus taught us how to forgive out of love, how to forget out of humility. So let us examine our hearts and see if there is any unforgiven hurt—any unforgotten bitterness! It is easy to love those who are far away. It isn’t always easy to love those who are right next to us. It is easier to offer food to the hungry than to answer the lonely suffering of someone who lacks love right in one
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
What good is it if I talk in flowers while you’re thinking in pastry?
—Ashleigh Brilliant (b.1933) British Cartoonist, Author
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
No one from the beginning of time has had security.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
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
The most important of life’s battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul.
—David O. McKay (1873–1970) American Mormon Religious Leader
Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
No man is hurt but by himself.
—Diogenes Laertius (f.3rd Century CE) Biographer of the Greek Philosophers
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
I believe in getting into hot water. I think it keeps you clean.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
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
You can’t comfort the afflicted with afflicting the comfortable.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
For better or worse, I’ve been involved in the description of political conflict.
—John le Carre (1931–2020) English Spy Thriller Novelist
Reason guides but a small part of man, and the rest obeys feeling, true or false, and passion, good or bad.
—Philibert Joseph Roux (1780–1854) French Surgeon
What a man knows is everywhere at war with what he wants.
—Joseph Wood Krutch (1893–1970) American Writer, Critic, Naturalist
We know better than we do. We do not yet possess ourselves…
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.
—Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) British Actor
Why don’t you want to do what you know you should do? The reason you don’t is that you’re in conflict with yourself.
—Tom Hopkins (b.1944) American Sales Coach
Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?
—James Thurber
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