Quotes to inspire and reflect

It is quite a three-pipe problem.

You see, but you do not observe.

A man should keep his little brain attic stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the lumber room of his library, where he can get it if he wants it.

The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.

John Donne, Anne Donne, Un-done.

Every tone [of the songs of the slaves] was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains.

Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

I throw myself down in my Chamber, and I call in, and invite God, and his Angels thither, and when they are there, I neglect God and his Angels, for the noise of a fly, for the rattling of a coach, for the whining of a door.

No man is an Island, entire of it self.

But I do nothing upon my self, and yet I am mine own Executioner.

I have done one braver thing

Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls.

I am two fools, I know,

This bed thy centre is, these walls thy sphere.

Busy old fool, unruly sun,

Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime,

I long to talk with some old lover’s ghost,

Go, and catch a falling star,

I wonder by my troth, what thou, and I

And now good morrow to our waking souls,

Come live with me, and be my love,

All other things, to their destruction draw,

Air and angels.

Reach her, about must, and about must go.

On a huge hill,

Cragged, and steep, Truth stands, and he that will

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,

Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I

Batter my heart, three-personed God; for, you

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

License my roving hands, and let them go,

No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace,

New philosophy calls all in doubt.

When I want to read a novel, I write one.

Never complain and never explain.

I never deny; I never contradict; I sometimes forget.

Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.

I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole.

Damn your principles! Stick to your party.

All power is a trust.

The East is a career.

The Youth of a Nation are the trustees of Posterity.

Mr Kremlin himself was distinguished for ignorance, for he had only one idea,—and that was wrong.

‘Two nations; between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other’s habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed by a different breeding, are fed by a different food, are ordered by different manners, and are not governed by the same laws.’ ‘You speak of—’ said Egremont, hesitatingly, ‘ THE RICH AND THE POOR. ’

You know who the critics are? The men who have failed in literature and art.

‘Sensible men are all of the same religion.’ ‘And pray what is that?’ … ‘Sensible men never tell.’