So remarkably perverse is the nature of man, that he despises those that court him, and admires whoever will not bend before him.
—Thucydides (Greek Historian)
Most people repent their sins by thanking God they ain’t so wicked as their neighbors.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (American Humorist)
There is no companion like solitude.
One who knows how to tune himself to the inner silence,
even in the midst of the din and roar of the marketplace,
enjoys a most recreative solitude.
—Swami Chinmayananda (Indian Hindu Teacher)
A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom.
—Welsh Proverb
Two things we ought to learn from history: one, that we are not in ourselves superior to our fathers; another, that we are shamefully and monstrously inferior to them, if we do not advance beyond them.
—Thomas Arnold (English Educationalist)
If only we’d stop trying to be happy, we’d have a pretty good time.
—Edith Wharton (American Novelist, Short-story Writer)
Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique, and not too much imagination.
—Christopher Isherwood (Anglo-American Novelist, Playwright)
In this world, you must be a bit too kind to be kind enough.
—Pierre de Marivaux (French Dramatist, Author)
Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done.
—Amelia Earhart (American Aviator)
The value of an idea lies in the using of it.
—Thomas Edison (American Inventor)
You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.
—George Burns (American Comedian)
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.
—Marcus Aurelius (Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher)
There is no real wealth but the labor of man.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (English Poet)
Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.
—Sun Tzu (Chinese Military Leader)
Writing is another powerful way to sharpen the mental saw. Keeping a journal of our thoughts, experiences, insights, and learnings promotes mental clarity, exactness, and context.
—Stephen Covey (American Self-help Author)
I think if you have the opportunity to bully your opponent then you have to take that chance.
—Venus Williams (American Tennis Player)