When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning.
—Polybius (Greek Historian)
Do not consider it proof just because it is written in books, for a liar who will deceive with his tongue will not hesitate to do the same with his pen.
—Moses Maimonides (Jewish Philosopher, Rabbinic Scholar)
We now have access to so much information that we can find support for any prejudice or opinion.
—David Suzuki (Canadian Scientist, Environmental Activist)
If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.
—Harriet Tubman (American Abolitionist)
It is true greatness to have in one the frailty of a man and the security of a god.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (Roman Stoic Philosopher)
The weaker partner in a marriage is the one who loves the most.
—Eleonora Duse (Italian Actress)
If you want to tell the untold stories, if you want to give voice to the voiceless, you’ve got to find a language. Which goes for film as well as prose, for documentary as well as autobiography. Use the wrong language, and you’re dumb and blind.
—Salman Rushdie (Indian-born British Novelist)
I was taught that the human brain was the crowning glory of evolution so far, but I think it’s a very poor scheme for survival.
—Kurt Vonnegut (American Novelist)
Love is the affinity which links and draws together the elements of the world… Love, in fact, is the agent of universal synthesis.
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (French Jesuit Scientist)
Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.
—James Dean (American Film Actor)
Thank you for leaving us alone but giving us enough attention to boost our egos.
—Mick Jagger (English Rock Musician)
You must not pity me because my sixtieth year finds me still astonished. To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.
—Colette (French Novelist, Performer)
When the press is the echo of sages and reformers, it works well; when it is the echo of turbulent cynics, it merely feeds political excitement.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (French Poet, Politician, Historian)
I have all reverence for principles which grow out of sentiments; but as to sentiments which grow out of principles, you shall scarcely build a house of cards thereon.
—Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi (German Philosopher)
Not all who wander are lost.
—J. R. R. Tolkien (British Philologist, Writer)
The only lies for which we are truly punished are those we tell ourselves.
—V. S. Naipaul (Trinidadian-British Writer)
Silence is one great art of conversation.
—William Hazlitt (English Essayist)
A legal kiss is never as good as a stolen one.
—Guy de Maupassant (French Short-story Writer)