We distinguish the excellent man from the common man by saying that the former is the one who makes great demands on himself, and the latter who makes no demands on himself.

Every thought which genius and piety throw into the world alters the world.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I repeat, sir, that in whatever position you place a woman she is an ornament to society and a treasure to the world. As a sweetheart, she has few equals and no superiors; as a cousin, she is convenient; as a wealthy grandmother with an incurable distemper, she is precious; as a wet-nurse, she has no equal among men. What, sir, would the people of the earth be without woman? They would be scarce, sir, almighty scarce.

Mark Twain

How much greater confidence has an advocate, retained with a large fee, in the justice of his cause! How much better does his bold manner make his case appear to the judges, deceived as they are by appearances! How ludicrous is reason, blown with a breath in every direction!

Blaise Pascal

I want to be safe in the knowledge that I can tour and play festivals for a long time. The main thing is that I want a good reputation as a live performer. If I have that, I'd be so happy.

Ellie Goulding

The accumulation of cultural capital - the acquisition of knowledge - is the key to social mobility.

Michael Gove

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.

Albert Ellis

The voracious ambition of humans is never sated by dreams coming true, because there is always the thought that everything might be done better and again.

John Green

Now that I'm more mature, in a funny way, I can even appreciate that I've bad to become more aware of my body. Since I've chosen acting as my career, I have to keep my weight down anyway-I've been used to it for years, so it's no problem. And there's nothing I can't do.

Dana Hill

Then, as a single snowflake flares and flickers upon voicing its final breath, so two eyes make silent conversation with mine. A face as iridescent as candle-fire purls verse and poetry. My eyes read her every intent as a wave of recollections floods my senses.

Craig Froman

It is the addition of strangeness to beauty that constitutes the romantic character in art.

Walter Hagen

Ninety-nine percent of Indian people loved me and they still love me.

M. F. Husain

The new dynamics between brands and consumers, driven by social media, are proving to be a powerful impetus for change.

Simon Mainwaring