The happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consistent in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems.

Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.

George Eliot

For a writer only one form of patriotism exists: his attitude toward language.

Joseph Brodsky

A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.

Salman Rushdie

We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.

John Locke

I have been a hundred times on the point of killing myself, but still was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our worst instincts. What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts?

Voltaire

The greatest truths are wronged if not linked with beauty, and they win their way most surely and deeply into the soul when arrayed in this their natural and fit attire.

William Ellery Channing

It's a miracle to be an actor and to know that you have a job to go to a year from now is a rare thing, so I think peace of mind and financial stability come with that. Hopefully I'm a little wiser and have a little more perspective in my life than I did then.

Debra Messing

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils for time is the greatest innovator.

Francis Bacon

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding... And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy

Kahlil Gibran

If you set as your goal to roll back the size of government, you have an obligation to answer the tough questions and show real courage, not just appeal to ideology. Treat the voters like adults.

Brian Baird

Life is made up of marble and mud.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Have We not made the earth as a cradle and the mountains as pegs? And We created you in pairs, and We appointed your sleep for a rest; and We appointed night for a garment, and We appointed day for a livelihood. And We have built above you seven strong ones, and We appointed a blazing lamp and have sent down out of the rain-clouds water cascading that We may bring forth thereby grain and plants, and gardens luxuriant.

Qur'an