A bishop wrote gravely to the Times inviting all nations to destroy ‘the formula’ of the atomic bomb. There is no simple remedy for ignorance so abysmal.
—Peter Medawar (British Immunologist, Writer)
When you get to my age, and I’m 66 now, you realize that the world is a madhouse and that most people are operating in fantasy anyway. So once you realize that, it doesn’t bother you much.
—John Cleese (British Comic Actor, Writer)
Values are principles and ideas that bring meaning to the seemingly mundane experience of life. A meaningful life that ultimately brings happiness and pride requires you to respond to temptations as well as challenges with honor, dignity, and courage.
—Laura Schlessinger (American Broadcaster)
Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive.
—Edith Wharton (American Novelist, Short-story Writer)
Our dreams have to be bigger.
Our ambitions higher.
Our commitment deeper.
And our efforts greater.
This is my dream.
—Dhirubhai Ambani (Indian Businessperson)
In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.
—Thurgood Marshall (American Jurist)
With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models.
—Michelle Obama (American First Lady)
Rage and grief are savage companions, but despair is the final undoing.
—Mia Farrow (American Actress, Activist)
I cannot and do not live in the world of discretion, not as a writer, anyway. I would prefer to, I assure you—it would make life easier. But discretion is, unfortunately, not for novelists.
—Philip Roth (American Novelist, Short-story Writer)
Prayer is translation. A man translates himself into a child asking for all there is in a language he has barely mastered.
—Leonard Cohen (Canadian Musician, Author)
The consumer is not a moron. She is your wife. Try not to insult her intelligence.
—David Ogilvy (British Advertising Executive)
Some men are more beholden to their bitterest enemies than to friends who appear to be sweetness itself. The former frequently tell the truth, but the latter never.
—Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato) (Roman Statesman)
When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing to himself.
—Louis Nizer (American Lawyer, Author)
To sin because mercy abounds is the devil’s logic; he that sins because of God’s mercy, shall have judgment without mercy.—Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (American Business Executive)
The wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.
—Isaac D’Israeli (English Writer, Scholar)