Belief is the death of intelligence. As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence.
—Robert Anton Wilson (American Polymath)
When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one, then on the opposite side I write the arguments against each one. Then by weighing the arguments pro and con and cancelling them out, one against the other, I take the course indicated by what remains.
—Benjamin Franklin (American Political leader)
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
—Joseph Campbell
Celerity is never more admired than by the negligent.
—William Shakespeare (British Playwright)
As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more mysterious.
—Albert Schweitzer (French Theologian)
I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth—and truth rewarded me.
—Simone de Beauvoir (French Philosopher)
Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn’t matter.
—Martin Seligman (American Psychologist)
In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure.
—Malcolm X (American Muslim Religious Leader)
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
—William Shakespeare (British Playwright)
Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.
—Shunryu Suzuki
A wise man who is grateful, faithfully keeps good company and duly gives a helping hand to those who are in trouble is called a virtuous person.
—Buddhist Teaching
Pleasure only starts once the worm has got into the fruit; to become delightful, happiness must be tainted with poison.
—Georges Bataille (French Philosopher)
An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.
—G. K. Chesterton (English Journalist)
Combinations of wickedness would overwhelm the world, by the advantage which licentious principles afford, did not those who have long practised perfidy grow faithless to each other.
—Samuel Johnson (British Essayist)
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel (American Jewish Rabbi)