If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking … is freedom.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Nothing is more desirable than to be released from an affliction, but nothing is more frightening than to be divested of a crutch.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
Now, what is it which makes a scene interesting?. If you see a man coming through a doorway, it means nothing. If you see him coming through a window – that is at once interesting.
—Billy Wilder (1906–2002) American Filmmaker
There are those whose sole claim to profundity is the discovery of exceptions to the rules.
—Paul Eldridge (1888–1982) American Poet, Educator
Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow’s speed.
—Howard Nemerov (1920–91) American Poet, Novelist, Playwright
Addictions do come in handy sometimes: at least you have to get out of bed for them.
—Martin Amis (1949–2023) British Novelist, Journalist
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.
—Robert W. Service (1874–1958) Canadian Poet, Writer
Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The judicial mind is too commonly characterized by a regard for a fourth decimal as the equal of a whole number.
—Martin H. Fischer
There’s only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
—Common Proverb
Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d druther not.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Each moment is a place you’ve never been.
—Mark Strand (1934–2014) American Poet, Essayist, Translator
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Everybody’s talking about people breaking into houses but there are more people in the world who want to break out of houses.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
The highest virtue here may be least in another world.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.
—Burton Hillis (William E. Vaughan) (1915–77) American Columnist, Author
I went to a cafe that advertised breakfast anytime, so I ordered French Toast during the Rennaisance.
—Steven Wright (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Writer
If one man offers you democracy and another offers you a bag of grain, at what stage of starvation will you prefer the grain to the vote?
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Presence is more than just being there.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
I have scarcely touched the sky and I am made of it.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.
—Allen Klein (b.1938) American Author
If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.
—Carl Sagan (1934–96) American Astronomer
Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
To really enjoy the better things in life, one must first have experienced the things they are better than.
—Oskar Homolka (1898–1978) Austrian Actor
It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to fall.
—Mexican Proverb
With most men, unbelief in one thing springs from blind belief in another.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Immorality: the morality of those who are having a better time.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
I’m afraid that if you look at a thing long enough, it loses all of its meaning.
—Andy Warhol (1928–87) American Painter, Printmaker, Film Personality
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