There are philosophies which are unendurable not because men are cowards, but because they are men.
—Ludwig Lewisohn (1882–1955) American Novelist, Essayist
Real life is, to most men … a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
In war more than anywhere else in the world things happen differently from what we had expected, and look differently when near from what they did at a distance.
—Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831) Prussian General, Theorist
If you aspire to the highest place, it is no disgrace to stop at the second, or even the third, place.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
When one’s expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.
—Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) English Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist, Academic
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.
—Francis de Sales (1567–1622) French Catholic Saint
Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and not be the biggest pygmy that he can?
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Friendships aren’t perfect and yet they are very precious. For me, not expecting perfection all in one place was a great release.
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b.1939) American Social Activist, Journalist
I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman, Writer
To do all that one is able to do is to be a man; to do all that one would like to do is to be a god.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Nature is what you may do. There is much you may not do.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
No one is expected to achieve the impossible.
—French Proverb
Do not commit the error, common among the young, of assuming that if you cannot save the whole of mankind you have failed.
—Jan de Hartog (1914–2002) Dutch-American Novelist, Playwright
Half the unhappiness in the world is due to the failure of plans which were never reasonable, and often impossible.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
No one is happy all his life long.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The most important thing in marriage is not happiness, but stability.
—Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1927–2014) Colombian Novelist, Short-Story Writer
No one has ever loved anyone the way everyone wants to be loved.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Who is ever adequate? We all create situations each other can’t live up to, then break our hearts at them because they don’t.
—Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973) Irish Novelist, Short-story Writer
Better is the enemy of good.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
Learn to … be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
To dream too much of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.
—Unknown
Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do, than what one can.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
There is no greater enemy to those who would please than expectation.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
No country can act wisely simultaneously in every part of the globe at every moment of time.
—Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) American Statesman, Diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Marriage is not just spiritual communion and passionate embraces; marriage is also three meals a day, sharing the workload and remembering to carry out the trash.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist
There is no such thing as something for nothing.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
We set up harsh and unkind rules against ourselves. No one is born without faults. That man is best who has fewest.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
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