For good and evil in our actions meet; wicked is not much worse than indiscreet.
—John Donne (English Poet, Cleric)
When we start deceiving ourselves into thinking not that we want something or need something, not that it is a pragmatic necessity for us to have it, but that it is a moral imperative that we have it, then is when we join the fashionable madmen, and then is when the thin whine of hysteria is heard in the land, and then is when we are in bad trouble.
—Joan Didion (American Essayist, Novelist, Memoirist)
If a man be self-controlled, truthful, wise, and resolute, is there aught that can stay out of reach of such a man?
—The Panchatantra (Indian Collection of Fables)
Charlie Munger says that he wants to shoot fish in a barrel, but only after all the water has been let out…. When I look at the people that I would normally think of as very good investors, basically, those folks are really good investors but they aren’t fishing where the fish are. And it doesn’t matter how good of a fisherman you are if you’re not fishing where the fish are.
—Mohnish Pabrai (Indian-American Investor, Philanthropist)
Let nothing be done in your life, which will cause you fear if it becomes known to your neighbor.
—Epicurus (Greek Philosopher)
Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility.
—Herb Kelleher (American Entrepreneur)
The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You’re asked an unexpected question, you don’t even flinch, it takes just a second to get yourself under control, you know just what you have to say to hide the truth, and you speak very convincingly, and nothing in your face twitches to give you away. But the truth, alas, has been disturbed by the question, and it rises up from the depths of your soul to flicker in your eyes and all is lost.
—Mikhail Bulgakov (Russian Novelist, Dramatist)
To get into the best society nowadays, one has either to feed people, amuse people, or shock people
—Oscar Wilde (Irish Poet)
The person who lives by hope will die by despair.
—Italian Proverb
What’s true is that everyone is uncomfortable with expressing anger and being critical. Anger and criticism generates rejection. And everyone hates rejection.
—Warren Farrell (American Educator, Activist)
We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays.
—Persius (Roman Poet)