Society and the World

In the end it will not matter to us whether we fought with flails or reeds. It will matter to us greatly on what side we fought.

Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.

Never give in—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—except to convictions of honor and good sense.

Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof.

Just as iron rusts from disuse, even so does inaction spoil the intellect.

Well done is better than well said.

Everything comes to he who hustles while he waits.

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.

Asking “Who ought to be boss?” is like asking “Who ought to be the tenor in the quartet?” Obviously, the man who can sing tenor.

Consensus is the negation of leadership.

High sentiments always win in the end. The leaders who offer blood, toil, tears and sweat always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time. When it comes to the pinch, human beings are heroic.

Ignorance is bold, and knowledge reserved.

It is never too late to give up our prejudices.

Nothing in the world is so rare as a person one can always put up with.

That which we call sin in others is experiment for us.

Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.

Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.

To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity.

I have never for one instant seen clearly within myself. How then would you have me judge the deeds of others?

Everybody has the right to express what he thinks. That, of course, lets the crackpots in. But if you cannot tell a crackpot when you see one, then you ought to be taken in.

Everybody has the right to express what he thinks. That, of course, lets the crackpots in. But if you cannot tell a crackpot when you see one, then you ought to be taken in.

I’m not denyin’ the women are foolish: God Almighty made ’em to match the men.

Generosity always wins favor, particularly when accompanied by modesty.