Of all the nations in the world, the United States was built in nobody's image. It was the land of the unexpected, of unbounded hope, of ideals, of quest for an unknown perfection. It is all the more unfitting that we should offer ourselves in images. And all the more fitting that the images which we make wittingly or unwittingly to sell America to the world should come back to haunt and curse us.

Our vanity is the constant enemy of our dignity.

Madame Swetchine

I don't think about financial success as the measurement of my success.

Christie Hefner

Health is the condition of wisdom, and the sign is cheerfulness -- an open and noble temper.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

For he loved her, as you can only love someone who is an echo of yourself at your time of deepest sorrow.

Orson Scott Card

It is still news to her that passioncould steer her wrongthough she went down, a thousand timesstrung outacross railroad tracks, off bridgesunder cars, or stiffglass bottle still in hand, hair softon greasy pillows, still it isnews she cannot follow love (hisburning footsteps in blue crystalsnow)

Diane di Prima

My childhood was influenced by the roles my father played in his movies. Whether Abraham Lincoln or Tom Joad in the 'Grapes of Wrath,' his characters communicated certain values which I try to carry with me to this day.

Jane Fonda

The problem of how we finance the welfare state should not obscure a separate issue: if each person thinks he has an inalienable right to welfare, no matter what happens to the world, that's not equity, it's just creating a society where you can't ask anything of people.

Jacques Delors

Indifference is an excellent substitute for patience.

Mason Cooley, City Aphorisms, Se

I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot... when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result.

Michael Jordan

Take free money. No matter how in debt you are, if your employer offers a matching contribution on a 401(k) or other retirement vehicle, you must sign up and contribute enough to get the maximum company match each year. Think of it as a bonus.

Suze Orman

Teach me to do the best I can To help and cheer my fellowman; Teach me to lose my selfish need, And glory in the larger deed, Which smothers the road and lights the day, For all who chance to come my way.

Source Unknown

For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression.

Vladimir Kramnik