May God … let me strive for attainable things.
—Pindar (c.518–c.438 BCE) Greek Lyric Poet
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
We never enjoy perfect happiness; our most fortunate successes are mingled with sadness; some anxieties always perplex the reality of our satisfaction.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
To expect too much is to have a sentimental view of life, and this is a softness that ends in bitterness.
—Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964) American Novelist
No one from the beginning of time has had security.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
All the greatest and most important problems of life are fundamentally insolvable. They can never be solved, but only outgrown.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
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
Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
So often we search out the impossible—and then throw ourselves into trying to do it.
—Unknown
The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one’s work seriously and taking one’s self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.
—Margot Fonteyn (1919–91) English Classical Ballet Dancer
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
I have done what I could do in life, and if I could not do better, I did not deserve it. In vain have I tried to step beyond what bound me. Despite my years, I am still trying.
—Maurice Maeterlinck (1862–1949) Belgian Poet, Playwright, Essayist
To expect life to be tailored to our specifications it to invite frustration.
—Unknown
A fool or idiot is one who expects things to happen that never can happen.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
People are lucky and unlucky … according to the ratio between what they get and what they have been led to expect.
—Samuel Butler
He who cannot do what he wants must make do with what he can.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
It is only fools who keep straining at high C all their lives.
—Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900) American Essayist, Novelist
Life is so constructed that an event does not, cannot, will not, match the expectation.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
A body shouldn’t heed what might be. He’s got to do with what is.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
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
The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of all suffering.
—Ram Dass (1931–2019) American Hindu, New Age Pioneer
At thirty a man should know himself like the palm of his hand, know the exact number of his defects and qualities … And above all, accept these things.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
He that will have a perfect brother must resign himself to remain brotherless.
—Italian Proverb
No one has ever loved anyone the way everyone wants to be loved.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, 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
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
To wish to act like angels while we are still in this world is nothing but folly.
—Teresa of Avila (1515–82) Spanish Carmelite Nun, Mystic
I can’t write a book commensurate with Shakespeare, but I can write a book by me.
—Walter Raleigh (1552–1618) English Courtier, Navigator, Poet
Better is the enemy of good.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author