None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free.
—Pearl S. Buck, 1943
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Quotes
We should always presume the disease to be curable until its own nature proves it otherwise.
—Peter Mere Latham, c. 1845He that raises a large family, does indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand…a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.
—Benjamin Franklin, 1786Memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth but not its twin.
—Barbara Kingsolver, 1990Where shall I, of wandering weary, find my resting place at last?
—Heinrich Heine, 1827How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive of all they do.
—William James, 1902Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
—Book of Ecclesiastes, c. 200 BCThe tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.
—James Fenimore Cooper, 1838It’s your business when your neighbor’s wall is in flames.
—Horace, 19 BCThe king times are fast finishing. There will be blood shed like water, and tears like mist; but the peoples will conquer in the end.
—Lord Byron, 1821I'm all for bringing back the birch, but only between consenting adults.
—Gore Vidal, 1973Every fool becomes a philosopher after ten days of rain.
—Clover Adams, 1882You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.
—Cormac McCarthy, 2005