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Quotes

Educate people without religion and you make them but clever devils.

—Arthur Wellesley, c. 1830

As to the sea itself, love it you cannot. Why should you? I will never believe again the sea was ever loved by anyone whose life was married to it. It is the creation of omnipotence, which is not of humankind and understandable, and so the springs of its behavior are hidden.

—H.M. Tomlinson, 1912

Mother died today. Or maybe it was yesterday, I don’t know. 

—Albert Camus, 1942

All those who suffer in the world do so because of their desire for their own happiness.

—Shantideva, c. 750

Plough deep while sluggards sleep.

—Benjamin Franklin, 1758

Understanding is a very dull occupation.

—Gertrude Stein, 1937

After all, crime is only a left-handed form of human endeavor.

—John Huston, 1950

He who would have clear water should go to the fountainhead.

—Italian proverb

In every ill turn of fortune, the most unhappy sort of unfortunate man is the one who has been happy.

—Boethius, c. 520

One of the things men should most strive to do is win a good reputation and see that no one questions it.

—Juan Manuel, 1335

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

—Herman Melville, 1851

As is the face, so is the mind.

—Roman proverb

Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable.

—Ambrose Bierce, 1906