Injuries should be done all together, so that being, less tasted, they will give less offense. Benefits should be granted little by little, so that they may be better enjoyed.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The follies which a man regrets most in his life, are those which he didn’t commit when he had the opportunity.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
I have known no man of genius who had not to pay, in some affliction or defect, either physical or spiritual, for what the gods had given him.
—Max Beerbohm (1872–1956) British Essayist, Caricaturist, Novelist
If you were to visit a certain rural section of Vermont, you would be shown two farms only a few miles apart, and you would be told that a lad raised on one of the farms today occupies the most responsible position in the whole world, the Presidency of the United States. From the other farm, you would be told, there went forth another lad who is today the head of one of the leading railroads in the U.S…. Whenever I hear wild denunciations of this country and its institutions I cannot but feel that … no other country on earth offers such advantages and opportunities for children born in humble circumstances.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
To be a great man it is necessary to turn to account all opportunities.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The apples on the other side of the wall are the sweetest.
—Unknown
The only incurable troubles of the rich are the troubles that money can’t cure.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending.
—Unknown
Opportunity has power over all things.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
If I had my life to live over, I wish I could be a great pianist or something.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
He who would be happy should stay at home.
—Greek Proverb
There is no security on this earth. Only opportunity.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
If every man’s internal care Were written on his brow, How many would our pity share Who raise our envy now?
—Metastasio (1698–1782) Italian Poet, Librettist of Opera Seria
Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly often attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults.
—Thomas Szasz (1920–2012) Hungarian-American Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst
Comparison, more than reality, makes men happy or wretched.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Opportunity is a parade. Even as one chance passes, the next is a fife and drum echoing in the distance.
—Robert Brault
We are long before we are convinced that happiness is never to be found; and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
In pride, unreasoning pride, our error lies; all quit their sphere, and rush into the skies; pride still is aiming at the blest abodes; men would be angels; angels would be gods.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
None of us is ever satisfied with what we are.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss.
—Unknown
Every stage of life has its troubles, and no man is content with his own age.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
When blocked or defeated in an enterprise I had much at heart, I always turned immediately to another field of work where progress looked possible, biding my time for a chance to resume the obstructed road.
—Charles William Eliot (1834–1926) American Educationalist
The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
Nobody’s problem is ideal. Nobody has things just as he would like them. The thing to do is to make a success with what material I have. It is a sheer waste of time and soul-power to imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different.
—Frank Hall Crane (1873–1948) American Stage and Film Actor, Director
People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
What you can’t get is just what suits you.
—French Proverb
I want to be able to live without a crowded calendar. I want to be able to read a book without feeling guilty, or go to a concert when I like.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
Misfortunes come to all men.
—Chinese Proverb
The man with toothache thinks everyone happy whose teeth are sound. The poverty stricken man makes the same mistake about the rich man.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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