I took religion much too seriously, however, and its overall effect was depressing. I would have really liked to discard it, but somehow I couldn't.

The fantastical idea of virtue and the public good being a sufficient security to the state against the commission of crimes...was never mine. It is only the sanguinary hue of our penal laws which I meant to object to. Punishments I know are necessary, and I would provide them strict and inflexible, but proportioned to the crime. Death might be inflicted for murder and perhaps for treason, [but I] would take out of the description of treason all crimes which are not such in their nature. Rape, buggery, etc., punish by castration. All other crimes by working on high roads, rivers, gallies, etc., a certain time proportioned to the offence... Laws thus proportionate and mild should never be dispensed with. Let mercy be the character of the lawgiver, but let the judge be a mere machine. The mercies of the law will be dispensed equally and impartially to every description of men; those of the judge or of the executive power will be the eccentric impulses of whimsical, capricious designing man.

Thomas Jefferson

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.

Friedrich Nietzsche

We have yet to see the full impact of the open, global marketplace. By 1997 all raw materials and technology will be available everywhere in the world. The only differences between countries and markets will be skill levels, education, and the level of empowerment of the workplace.

Lew Pritchett

Kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

Jacqueline Schiff

Canada's a huge country, so to be able to unite the country through communication satellite technology or to be able to observe it through remote sensing technology from space is a natural fit for a country like Canada.

Marc Garneau

Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.

David Mamet

My heart only ever had one thought, one want. One need. Despite all, in spite of all...All my heart has ever wanted is you.

Stephanie Laurens

The only thing that we know is that we know nothing and that is the highest flight of human wisdom.

Leo Tolstoy

And we've got to ask ourselves some very serious questions as to whether or not certain religious leaders, in terms of raising money - I hate to bring this up - are pushing hot buttons.

Tony Campolo

With power comes the abuse of power. And where there are bosses, there are crazy bosses. It's nothing new.

Judd Rose

Our eyes reflect light. Better that the lips are more like a rose petal.

Olivier Theyskens

Birds in their little nest agree; and 'Tis a shameful sight, when children of one family fall out, and chide, and fight.

Isaac Watts