Half a century ago, the amazing courage of Rosa Parks, the visionary leadership of Martin Luther King, and the inspirational actions of the civil rights movement led politicians to write equality into the law and make real the promise of America for all her citizens.

People said there had to be a Supreme Being because otherwise how could the universe exist, eh?And of course there clearly had to be, said Koomi, a Supreme Being. But since the universe was a bit of a mess, it was obvious that the Supreme Being hadn't in fact made it. If he had made it he would, being Supreme, have made a better job of it, with far better thought given, taking an example at random, to things like the design of the common nostril. Or, to put it another way, the existence of a badly put-together watch proved the existence of a blind watchmaker. You only had to look around to see that there was room for improvement practically everywhere. This suggested that the Universe had probably been put together in a bit of a rush by an underling while the Supreme Being wasn't looking, in the same way that Boy Scouts' Association minutes are done on office photocopiers all over the country.So, reasoned Koomi, it was not a good idea to address any prayers to a Supreme Being. It would only attract his attention and might cause trouble.

Terry Pratchett

The scientific observer of Nature is a kind of mystic seeker in the act of prayer.

Muhammad Iqbal

...There is a tale, as old as the Ancient Ones themselves, that one would arise who has that gift: to sing all the chantments, the high notes and the low, the swift rhythms and the slow. And this person would be more powerful than even the Ancient Ones were, as powerful as the gods themselves.

Kate Constable

In traveling, a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

Samuel Johnson

Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it.

Joyce Meyer

Do you think we can be friends? I asked.He stared up at the ceiling. Probably not, but we can pretend.

Priya Ardis

I love spicy food.

Cynthia Nixon

The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.

Michel de Montaigne

I hope that at the end of the seven years, people will say that I have been of some inspirational value to them at home in terms of inclusiveness and abroad, I look forward to representing Ireland.

Michael D. Higgins

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

Chief Joseph

Truth is no road to fortune

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Brilliantly lit from stem to stern, she looked like a sagging birthday cake.

Walter Lord