Quotes

``Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.'' E. F. Schumacher

``What we try to do is pass it on, to make the gifts and kindnesses that come to us the kind of human currency that goes on traveling.'' Justice David Souter, after being sworn in in 1990.

``The certainty that life cannot be long, and the probability that it will be much shorter than nature allows, ought to awaken every man to the active prosecution of whatever he is desirous to perform. It is true, that no diligence can ascertain success; death may intercept the swiftest career; but he who is cut off in the execution of an honest undertaking has at least the honour of falling in his rank, and has fought the battle, though he missed the victory.'' Samuel Johnson, excerpted from Rambler 134...profound.

``Without the passion deriving from commitment there was nothing ever done, nor any adventure even embarked upon, because unless one's own heart is moved, never can one expect to move the hearts of his fellow men.'' Reid Buckley, Speaking in Public (a truly excellent and entertaining read, despite the ominous title)

``The essence of real creativity is a certain playfulness, a flitting from idea to idea without getting bogged down by fixated demands. Of course, you don't always get what you thought you were asking for.'' Sherkaner Underhill in A Deepness in the Sky, by Vernor Vinge

``Each civilization has its time. Each science has its limits. And each of us must die, living less than half a thousand years. If you truly understand those limits, then you are ready to grow up, to know what counts.'' Gunnar Larson in A Deepness in the Sky, by Vernor Vinge

``Look out on the universe. It does not care, and even with all our science there are some disasters that we cannot avert. All evil and good is petty before Nature. Take comfort from this, that there is a universe to admire that cannot be twisted to villainy or good, but which simply is.'' Zonograph Eidolon in A Fire Upon the Deep, by Vernor Vinge

``The tradesman, the attorney comes out of the din and craft of the street, and sees the sky and the woods, and is a man again. In their eternal calm, he finds himself. The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.'' Ralph Waldo Emerson

``The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.'' Henry David Thoreau, Walden

``Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.'' Winston Churchill

``To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.'' Ralph Waldo Emerson

``...the sole end for which mankind are are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. ... The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.'' John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

``Democracy is the worst form of government except all those others that have been.'' Winston Churchill

``Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.'' Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien

``What good is a long life to us if it is hard, joyless and so full of suffering that we can only welcome death as a deliverer?'' Sigmund Freud

``Death belongs to God alone. By what right do men touch that unknown thing?'' Bishop Myriel in Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo

``Don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were headed for shore.'' Faber in Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury