Man’s passions at first are like a cobweb’s thread, at last become like thickest cord.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Clarity of mind means clarity of passion, too; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctly what he loves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
We can accomplish almost anything within our ability if we but think that we can! Every great achievement in this world was first carefully thought out… Think-but to a purpose. Think constructively. Think as you read. Think as you listen. Think as you travel and your eyes reveal new situations. Think as you work daily at your desk, or in the field, or while strolling. Think to rise and improve your place in life. There can be no advancement or success without serious thought.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
When the habitually even-tempered suddenly fly into a passion, that explosion is apt to be more impressive than the outburst of the most violent amongst us.
—Margery Allingham (1904–66) English Detective-story Writer
Oh, give us the man who sings at his work.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Our passions do not live apart in locked chambers but dress in their small wardrobe of notions, bring their provisions to a common table and mess together, feeding out of the common store according to their appetite.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
I think that the consciousness of passion makes you act very differently.
—Pedro Almodovar (b.1951) Spanish Film Director, Screenwriter
The passions should be purged; all may become innocent if they are well directed and moderated. Even hatred may be a commendable feeling when it is caused by a lively love of good. Whatever makes the passions purer makes them stronger, more durable, and mere enjoyable.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
It is easy to fly into a passion – anybody can do that – but to be angry with the right person to the right extent and at the right time with the right object and in the right way – that is not easy, and it is not everyone who can do it.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire. It is a grand passion.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The only praiseworthy indifference is an acquired one; we must feel as well as control our passions.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
The wicked is in the power of his passion; the righteous keeps passion in his power.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
People who never get carried away should be.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
A man is by nothing so much himself, as by his temper and the character of his passions and affections. If he loses what is manly and worthy in these, he is as much lost to himself, as when he loses his memory and understanding.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
Our passion are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Passion, in its first violence, controls interest, as the eddy for a while runs against the stream.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is some place where your specialties can shine. Somewhere that difference can be expressed. It’s up to you to find it, and you can.
—David Viscott (1938–96) American Psychiatrist, Author, Businessperson
About Mike the construction worker, friend of Roark: “He worshipped expertness of any kind. He loved his work passionately and had no tolerance for anything save for other single-track devotions. He was a master in his own filed and felt no sympathy except for mastery. His view of the world was simple: there were the able and there were the incompetent; he was not concerned with the latter.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
Passion may not unfitly be termed the mob of the man, that commits a riot on his reason.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
What profits us, that we from heaven derive a soul immortal, and with looks erect survey the stars, if, like the brutal kind, we follow where our passions lead the way?
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
As a bathtub lined with white porcelain, when the hot water gives out or goes tepid, so is the slow cooling of our chivalrous passion, o my much praised but-not-altogether-satisfactory lady.
—Ezra Pound (1885-1972) American Poet, Translator, Critic
For one heat, all know, doth drive out another,
One passion doth expel another still.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your purpose, you will normally find it’s something you’re tremendously passionate about.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
He did it with all his heart, and prospered.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Rooted in ignorance is suffering in the present life and in the hereafter which is framed up by desire and greed.
—Buddhist Teaching
Passions makes us feel, but never see clearly.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Charles Buxton (1823–71) British Politician, Writer
Men live by intervals of reason under the sovereignty of caprice and passion.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
It is the soul’s duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.
—Rebecca West (1892–1983) English Author, Journalist, Literary Critic
Many of the most successful men I have known have never grown up. They have retained bubbling-over boyishness. They have relished wit, they have indulged in humor. They have not allowed “dignity” to depress them into moroseness. Youthfulness of spirit is twin brother of optimism, and optimism is the stuff of which American business success is fashioned. Resist growing up.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher