Faith is an excitement and an enthusiasm: it is a condition of intellectual magnificence to which we must cling as to a treasure, and not squander on our way through life in the small coin of empty words, or in exact and priggish argument.
—George Sand (1804–76) French Novelist, Dramatist
The result is often disappointing, but the process is highly exciting.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
It is always with excitement that I wake up in the morning wondering what my intuition will toss up to me, like gifts from the sea. I work with it and rely on it. It’s my partner.
—Jonas Salk (1914–95) American Microbiologist
For me, the highest level of sexual excitement is in a monogamous relationship.
—Warren Beatty (b.1937) American Film Actor, Director, Producer
Joy, rather than happiness, is the goal of life, for joy is the emotion which accompanies our fulfilling our natures as human beings. It is based on the experience of one’s identity as a being of worth and dignity.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
Every book has an intrinsic impossibility, which its writer discovers as soon as his first excitement dwindles.
—Annie Dillard (b.1945) Essayist, Novelist, Poet, Naturalist, Mystic
To find your own way is to follow your bliss. This involves analysis, watching yourself and seeing where real deep bliss is—not the quick little excitement , but the real deep, life-filling bliss.
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Mythologist, Writer, Lecturer
Joys are our wings; sorrows our spurs.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
I have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in truth.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Joy is not in things; it is in us.
—Richard Wagner (1813–83) German Composer
The end of life is life. Life is action, the use of one’s powers. And to use them to their height is our joy of duty.
—Unknown
Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meaning can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart. Such is the moment I am presently experiencing. I experience this high and joyous moment not for myself alone but for those devotees of nonviolence who have moved so courageously against the ramparts of racial injustice and who in the process have acquired a new estimate of their own human worth. Many of them are young and cultured. Others are middle aged and middle class. The majority are poor and untutored. But they are all united in the quiet conviction that it is better to suffer in dignity than to accept segregation in humiliation. These are the real heroes of the freedom struggle: they are the noble people for whom I accept the Nobel Peace Prize.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game.
—Donald Trump (b.1946) American Businessperson, Head of State
A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked…
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Never be afraid because the community teems with excitement.—Silence and death are dreadful.—The rush of life, the vigor of earnest men, and the conflict of realities, invigorate, cleanse, and establish the truth.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Discipline is based on pride, on meticulous attention to details, and on mutual respect and confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of the goal or the fear of failure.
—Gary Ryan Blair
Tranquil pleasures last the longest; we are not fitted to bear long the burden of great joys.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Joy runs deeper than despair
—Corrie Ten Boom (1892–1983) Dutch Jewish Humanist
The joy in life is to be used for a purpose. I want to be used up when I die.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
One joy shatters a hundred griefs.
—Chinese Proverb
I live a day at a time. Each day I look for a kernel of excitement. In the morning I say: “What is my exciting thing for today?” Then, I do the day. Don’t ask me about tomorrow.
—Barbara Jordan (1936–96) American Lawyer, Educator, Politician
With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow — I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.
—Zhuang Zhou (c.369–c.286 BCE) Chinese Taoist Philosopher
I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.
—C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) Irish-born British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
‘Tis so much joy! ‘Tis so much joy! If I should fail, what poverty! And yet, as poor as I Have ventured all upon a throw; Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so this side the victory!
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged, and the mutual dependence of the old.
—John Ciardi (1916–86) American Poet, Teacher, Etymologist, Translator
Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
May your joys be as deep as the ocean, your sorrows as light as its foam.
—Unknown
If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
He who binds to himself a joy
Doth the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in Eternity’s sunrise.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker