Glutton for Quotes
I have a mad passion for quotes. Even if they’re attributed to the wrong person, or grammatically incorrect, yet still inspire some kind of life, I love them. I would like to take this page to share with you some of my favorites + welcome you to share some of yours as well.
I’ll begin with 2 different quotes that attempt to sum up why we are here + what we do in the meantime:
Do your work. . Plato
Know thyself and nothing too much. . Plutarch
And so it goes:
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TRAVEL
Nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people. . Mark Twain
Step out into the world and give of yourself to help others. Do not give to make yourself feel better about yourself, but do it for God can not be there alone. . Bhagavad Gita
You’ll break the worry habit the day you decide you can meet and master the worst that can happen to you. . Arnold Glasow
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FACING DOWN FEAR
Do something everyday for no other reason than you would rather not do it, so that when the hour of dire need draws nigh, it may find you not unnerved and untrained to stand the test. . William James
The person who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before they decide, never decides. . Henri-Frédéric Amiel
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INSPIRATION + SPIRIT
Our deepest fear is not that we are
inadequate, our deepest fear is that we
are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourselves,“Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?” Actually, who
are you NOT to be?You are a child of God. Your playing
small does NOT serve the world. There
is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure
around you.We were born to manifest the glory
that is within us. And as we let our
light shine we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our own
fear, our presence automatically
liberates others. . Nelson Mandela
Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive. .Howard Thurman
Sow a Thought, Reap an Act,
Sow an Act, Reap a Habit,
Sow a Habit, Reap a Character,
Sow a Character, Reap a Destiny.
- Anonymous
Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage into action. .Brendan Francis Behan
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STRENGTH
Follow @thehaleywebbPray not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. -Jewish Proverb
“When you perform in front of people, that means you’re taking an hour of their life away. I have to make sure that hour is a motherfucker.”
Patti Smith
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” – Shaw
“Love is always bestowed as a gift – freely, willingly and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
Wine comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That’s all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh.
William Butler Yeats
Lunch comes in at the mouth,
And weight goes onto the thighs,
And all we learned in our youth
Is hatred of exercise.
I lift my fork to my mouth,
While reaching for the fries.
Jay Scott
“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.”
Frank Zappa
That Mandela quote is not actually his. It’s by a writer named Marianne Williamson, in her 1992 book, “Return to Love” (hardcover p. 165, paperback pp. 190-191): http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/quotes/williamson/our_deepest_fear/
After bin Laden’s death people circulated an MLK quote that didn’t belong to him either.
But on the subject of political change and self-reflection, here’s one of my favorites:
The question of color, especially in the United States, operates to hide the graver question of the self. That is precisely why what we like to call “the Negro problem” is so tenacious in American life, and so dangerous. But my own experience proves to me that the connection between American whites and blacks is far deeper and more passionate than any of us like to think…. The questions which one asks oneself begin, at last, to illuminate the world, and become one’s key to the experience of others. One can only face in others what one can face in oneself. On this confrontation depends the measure of our wisdom and compassion. This energy is all that one finds in the rubble of vanished civilizations, and the only hope for ours. – James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
— John F. Kennedy
I have never heard that Nelson Mandella quote. Very cool! How about one of my old favorites from Will Rogers:
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
John, that is awesome!
Likewise, I’ve never heard that quote. A keeper to be sure, thank you!!
“So often in time it happens, we all live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key.”
The Eagles
“I like gettin’ old.”
Patti Smith
Good write, We are checking back more often to discover upgrades.
And where is the facebook like link ?
“The earth? Oh the earth will be gone in a few seconds…I’m going to blow it up. It’s obstructing my view of Venus.”
– Marvin the Martian
A quote:
“But I’m funny how? I mean, funny like I’m a clown? I amuse you?”