In the productions of the mind, as in those of the soil, the gifts of nature are excelled by industry and skill . . .

And the winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

Imam Hussain's sacrifice is for all groups and communities, an example of the path of rightousness.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord. The superstition of the people was not embittered theological rancor.

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

In the end, they wanted security more than they wanted freedom.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

Hazel Motes sat at a forward angel on the green plush train seat, looking one minute at the window as if he might want to jump out of it, and the next down the aisle at the other end of the car.

Home is the place that expects the most of you, but still welcomes you at your worst. And she has always been my home, my Merminia.

I laugh because your pain is amusing.

The dance can reveal everything mysterious that is hidden in music, and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. Dancing is poetry with arms and legs.

Let my Peace which passes all understanding infill and enfold you, for when you are at Peace within, you reflect Peace without, and all those souls you meet will feel that Peace.

Selfliss giving rounds the edges in spiritual practice. Many people can meditate very well but they're still very egotistical.

There are people who can sit down and write a song about any given subject, and they can do it really, really well.

I am interested in anything about revolt, disorder, chaos, especially activity that seems to have no meaning.

The answers I remember longest are the ones that answer questions that I didn't think of asking.

It's too late. Seventeen-year-olds don't need fathers. Oh god. I'm thirty-four years old and I need a father. I can't even begin to think what my daughter needs.