The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such speed. It feels an impulsion … this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond the horizons.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Writer, Aviator
Most people would rather die than think, in fact, most do.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
When our memories outweigh our dreams, we have grown old.
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a Heaven for?
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
One is most dishonest to one’s god: he is not allowed to sin.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
The first of all qualities of a general is courage.
—David McCullough (1933–2022) American Historian
Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
The only way around is through.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
There is no use trying, said Alice, “one can’t believe impossible things”. “I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (1832–98) British Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Logician
Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden (1804–65) British Politician, Economist
The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
—Warren Buffett (b.1930) American Investor
To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.
—Alfred A. Montapert (1906–97) American Engineer, Philosopher
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
—Friedrich Engels (1820–95) German Socialist Political Philosopher
The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.
—Bert Williams (1876–1922) American Entertainer, Actor
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
We live in deeds, not years:
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment—although it is generally present—but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one’s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears—because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment—and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Leader, Civil Rights Advocate, Author
Picasso’s mother held great ambitions for him when he was a child. She instructed him: If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general. If you become a monk, you’ll end up as Pope”. Instead,” Picasso quipped, “I became a painter and became a Picasso”.
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) Spanish Painter, Sculptor, Artist
Regrets are idle; yet history is one long regret. Everything might have turned out so differently!
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined! As you simplify your life, the laws of the Universe will be simpler, solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Writer, Aviator
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
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