Commerce changes the fate and genius of nations.

Sydney in the 1960s wasn't the exuberant multicultural metropolis it is today. Out in the city's western reaches, days passed in a sun-struck stupor. In the evenings, families gathered on their verandas waiting for the 'southerly buster' - the thunderstorm that would break the heat and leave the air cool enough to allow sleep.

Geraldine Brooks

Have a deep respect for the source of life and also for the ocean, for the forest, for the stars and for the truth.

Source Unknown

No wild enthusiast could rest, till half the world like him was possessed.

William Cowper

What annoyances are more painful than those of which we cannot complain?

Marquis De Custine

Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.

Johann von Goethe

Egypt has been a partner of the United States over the last 30 years, has been instrumental in keeping the peace in the Middle East between Egypt and Israel, which is a critical accomplishment that has meant so much to so many people.

Hillary Clinton

As to war, I am and always was a great enemy, at the same time a warrior the greater part of my life and were I young again, should still be a warrior while ever this country should be invaded and I lived.

Daniel Morgan

Now, the essence, the very spirit of Christmas is that we first make believe a thing is so, and lo, it presently turns out to be so.

Stephen Leacock

Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

Jack Layton

I don't like food that's too carefully arranged it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I'd buy a painting.

Andy Rooney

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,To weep is to risk appearing sentimentalTo reach out to another is to risk involvement,To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true selfTo place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their lossTo love is to risk not being loved in return,To hope is to risk despair,To try is to risk to failure.But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing is nothing.He may avoid suffering and sorrow,But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.Only a person who risks is free.

Anon., seen variously attributed

Your children are not your children.They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.They come through you but not from you.And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.You may give them your love but not your thoughts.For they have their own thoughts.You may house their bodies but not their souls,For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you,For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows might go swift and far.Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;For even as He loves the arrow that flies,so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Kahlil Gibran