Many writers, especially male ones, have told us that it is the decease of the father which opens the prospect of one's own end, and affords an unobstructed view of the undug but awaiting grave that says 'you're next.' Unfilial as this may seem, that was not at all so in my own case. It was only when I watched Alexander [my own son] being born that I knew at once that my own funeral director had very suddenly, but quite unmistakably, stepped onto the stage. I was surprised by how calmly I took this, but also by how reluctant I was to mention it to my male contemporaries.

I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.

Harry S. Truman

Carpe per diem - seize the check.

Robin Williams

The whole westward expansion myth is seen as romantic. But it's a joke, a blot on American history.

Frank Waters

There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus.

Mark Twain

Love is Compassion, Endurance, Equanimity, Impartiality, Magnetic, Patient and Just (and Where Justice Is Not, Hate-Traders Profit)

Elizabeth Lucye Robillard

We are always talking about being together, and yet whatever we invent destroys the family, and makes us wild, touchless beasts feeding on technicolor prairies and rivers.

Edward Dahlberg

I've found the best way is to not be scared of the attention but to be grateful for it and open to it. It makes my days better rather than being annoyed that people want my attention.

Brandon Routh

Remember to never split an infinitive.The passive voice should never be used.Do not put statements in the negative form.Verbs have to agree with their subjects.Proofread carefully to see if you words out.If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be by rereading and editing.A writer must not shift your point of view.And don't start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)Don't overuse exclamation marks!!Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.Always pick on the correct idiom.The adverb always follows the verb.Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; seek viable alternatives.

William Safire, William Safire's

God's truth is too sacred to be expounded to superficial worldliness in its transient fit of earnestness.

Frederick William Robertson

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Robert A. Heinlein

Happiness is a state of mind, a choice, a way of living, not a destination.

Steve Maraboli

I had a very happy childhood, but I wasn't that happy a child. I liked being alone and creating characters and voices. I think that's when your creativity is developed, when you're young. I liked the world of the imagination because it was an easy place to go to.

David Walliams