Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.
—Marquis de Vauvenargues, 1746
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Quotes
Man has here two and a half minutes—one to smile, one to sigh, and half a one to love; for in the midst of this minute he dies.
—Jean Paul, 1795Whenever in history equality appeared on the agenda, it was exported somewhere else, like an undesirable.
—Mary McCarthy, 1971The seeds of civilization are in every culture, but it is city life that brings them to fruition.
—Susanne K. Langer, 1962The gift of a common tongue is a priceless inheritance and it may well some day become the foundation of a common citizenship.
—Winston Churchill, 1943I am a friend of the workingman, and I would rather be his friend than be one.
—Clarence Darrow, 1932We seek with our human hands to create a second nature in the natural world.
—Marcus Tullius Cicero, 45 BCWhen law can do no right,
Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong.
As is the face, so is the mind.
—Roman proverbMan is a troublesome animal and therefore is not very manageable.
—Plato, c. 349 BCCommerce tends to wear off those prejudices which maintain distinction and animosity between nations.
—William Robertson, 1769Children and fools cannot lie.
—John Heywood, 1546There is no man so fortunate that there shall not be by him when he is dying some who are pleased with what is going to happen.
—Marcus Aurelius, c. 175