I consider it useless and tedious to represent what exists, because nothing that exists satisfies me. Nature is ugly, and I prefer the monsters of my fancy to what is positively trivial.

A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.

Joseph Addison

He comes into the world God knows how, walks on the water, gets out of his grave and goes up off the Hill of Howth. What drivel is this?

James Joyce

Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures peace is our gift to each other.

Elie Wiesel

Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there any happiness in store for him who always doubts.

Bhagavad Gita

I was a witness of the execution at Horsemonger-lane this morning. ... I believe that a sight so inconceivably awful as the wickedness and levity of the immense crowd collected at that execution this morning could be imagined by no man, and could be presented in no heathen land under the sun. The horrors of the gibbet and of the crime which brought the wretched murderers to it, faded in my mind before the atrocious bearing, looks and language, of the assembled spectators. ... When the two miserable creatures who attracted all this ghastly sight about them were turned quivering into the air, there was no more emotion, no more pity, no more thought that two immortal souls had gone to judgment, no more restraint in any of the previous obscenities, than if the name of Christ had never been heard in this world, and there were no belief among men but that they perished like beasts.

Charles Dickens

By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether deserved or undeserved.

Mark Twain

Trust that little voice in your head that says 'Wouldn't it be interesting if...' And then do it.

Duane Michals

I tried to hang myself with a bungee cord. I kept almost dying.

Steven Wright

Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping its life away.

Henry de Bracton

The thing I love most about going on vacation is that I get to leave behind any kind of schedule. My entire life is scheduled from morning to night, and when I'm on vacation, there is no schedule.

Kelly Clarkson

My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it.

John Bunyan

I think midlife crisis is just a point where people's careers have reached some plateau and they have to reflect on their personal relationships.

Bill Murray