Necessity knows no law except to conquer.
—Publilius Syrus (Syrian-born Latin Writer)
Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.
—Pope John Paul II (Polish Catholic Religious Leader)
Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect.
—Carl Sandburg (American Poet, Historian)
What shall I do with this ageing me? Neither floating nor sinking, I drift, tossed by the waves of years.
—Takuboku Ishikawa (Japanese Poet)
A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity.
—Francis de Sales (French Catholic Saint)
The real thinking of woman is pre-eminently practical and applied. It is something we describe as sound common sense, and is usually directed to what is close at hand and personal. In general, it can be said that feminine mentality manifests an undeveloped, childlike, or primitive character; instead of the thirst for knowledge, curiosity; instead of judgment, prejudice; instead of thinking, imagination or dreaming; instead of will, wishing. Where a man takes up objective problems, a woman contents herself with solving riddles; where he battles for knowledge and understanding, she contents herself with faith or superstition, or else she makes assumptions.
—Emma Jung (Swiss Psychoanalyst, Author)
People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.
—Eckhart Tolle (German Spiritual Writer)
Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.
—Thomas Jefferson (American Head of State)
You are one of those obsessed demoniacal creatures who ought to be avoided at all costs; they bring misfortune into the lives of others; they ruin the lives of others. The real good people are humble and silent (like your Kitty is.) But beware, God sees all vanity and pride and you cannot fool him.
—Svetlana Alliluyeva (Russian Defector, Memoirist)
Reason can no longer restrain one who is lured by the fury of ambition.
—Karl Marx (German Philosopher, Economist)