A woman’s strength is the irresistible might of weakness.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. The resentment of the weak does not spring from any injustice done to them but from the sense of their inadequacy and impotence. They hate not wickedness but weakness. When it is in their power to do so, the weak destroy weakness wherever they see it.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The strength of man sinks in the hour of trial: but there doth live a power that to the battle girdeth the weak.
—Joanna Baillie (1762–1851) Scottish Playwright, Poet
We are more often treacherous, through weakness than through calculation.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Credulity is the man’s weakness, but the child’s strength.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
Flee an enemy who knows your weakness.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
This work somehow awakened my dormant powers of will and I began to practice self-control. At first my resolutions faded like snow in April, but in a little while I conquered my weakness and felt a pleasure I never knew before—that of doing as I willed.
—Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-American Electrical Engineer, Inventor
And he has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Power over others is weakness disguised as strength. True power if within, and it is available to you now.
—Eckhart Tolle (b.1948) German Spiritual Teacher, Writer, Public Speaker
To excel means to reach beyond the best you have ever given because doing so matters to you personally, for its own sake. It means to run your own race—as an individual, team, or organization. To excel is to know your greatest strengths and passions, and to emphasize them while honestly admitting and managing your weaknesses.
—Robert K. Cooper (b.1957) American Author, Psychologist
When mental energy is allowed to follow the line of least resistance and to fall into easy channels, it is called weakness
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Few men have done more harm than those who have been thought to be able to do the least; and there cannot be a greater error than to believe a man whom we see qualified with too mean parts to do good, to be, therefore, incapable of doing hurt. There is a supply of malice, of pride, of industry, and even of folly, in the weakest, when he sets his heart upon it, that makes a strange progress in wickedness.
—Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609–74) English Statesman, Historian
The wise man does not deny and affirm, he does not exalt himself and he does not despair, he does not believe either in the existence of God or in his existence. The wise man has no certainty, he only has more or less probable hypotheses.
—Luciano De Crescenzo (b.1928) Italian Writer, Film Actor, Director, Engineer
In all our weaknesses we have one element of strength if we recognize it.—Here, as in other things, knowledge of danger is often the best means of safety.
—Edward Payson Roe (1838–88) American Clergyman, Novelist
It is from a weakness and smallness of mind that men are opinionated; and we are very loath to believe what we are not able to comprehend.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Men are in general so tricky, so envious, and so cruel, that when we find one who is only weak, we are happy.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.
—Jean Vanier (1928–2019) French-Canadian Philosopher, Theologian, Humanitarian
Some of our weaknesses are born in us, others are the result of education; it is a question which of the two gives us most trouble.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Union of the weakest develops strength not wisdom. Can all men, together, avenge one of the leaves that have fallen in autumn?. But the wise man avenges by building his city in snow.
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955) American Poet
Weakness has its hidden resources, as well as strength. There is a degree of folly and meanness, which we cannot calculate upon, and by which we are as much liable to be foiled as by the greatest ability or courage.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Man’s biological weakness is the condition of human culture.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
The more weakness, the more falsehood; strength goes straight; every cannon-ball that has in it hollows and holes goes crooked. Weaklings must lie.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
It is a talent of the weak to persuade themselves that they suffer for something when they suffer from something; that they are showing the way when they are running away; that they see the light when they feel the heat; that they are chosen when they are shunned.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The concessions of the weak are the concessions of fear.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The weak are more likely to make the strong weak than the strong are likely to make the weak strong.
—Marlene Dietrich (1901–92) German-American Film Actress, Cabaret Performer
The weakest and most timorous are the most revengeful and implacable.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Weaklings must lie.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
Ambition, old as mankind, the immemorial weakness of the strong.
—Vita Sackville-West (1892–1962) English Writer, Gardener
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