Nature is not cruel, only pitilessly indifferent. This is one of the hardest lessons for humans to learn. We cannot admit that things might be neither good nor evil, neither cruel nor kind, but simply callous—indifferent to all suffering, lacking all purpose.
—Richard Dawkins (British Ethologist, Atheist)
When you go into court you are putting your fate into the hands of twelve people who weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.
—Norm Crosby (American Comedian)
The way to peace and joy is the way of letting go. Let go of people and things: Let God take over!
—Dada J. P. Vaswani (Indian Hindu Philosopher)
The good writers touch life often. The mediocre ones run a quick hand over her. The bad ones rape her and leave her for the flies.
—Ray Bradbury (American Science-Fiction Writer)
How great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from its birth an angel commissioned to guard it.
—Jerome (Greek Priest)
When it occurs to a man that nature does not regard him as important, and that she feels she would not maim the universe by disposing of him, he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples.
—Stephen Crane (American Writer)
The pleasure of reading without application is a dangerous pleasure. Useless books we should lay aside, and make all possible good use of those from which we may reap some fruit.
—John Foster Dulles (American Politician)
There is no substitute for virtue. Keep your thoughts virtuous. Rise above the filth that’s all around you in this world and stand tall in strength and virtue. You can do this and you will be happier for it for as long as you live. God bless you in cherishing, developing and holding on to this great gift, the quality of personal virtue.
—Gordon B. Hinckley (American Mormon Religious Leader)
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine.
—Christina Rossetti (English Poet)
Old men are twice children.
—Greek Proverb
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; but, define yourself.
—Harvey Fierstein (American Actor)