Somehow, the love of the islands, like the love of a woman, just happens. One cannot determine in advance to love a particular woman, nor can one so determine to love Hawaii.

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.

Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past.

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage.

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.

It is so much easier to live placidly and complacently. Of course, to live placidly and complacently is not to live at all.

The Wild still lingered in him and the wolf in him merely slept.

There's only one way to make a beginning, and that is to begin; and begin with hard work, and patience, prepared for all the disappoint­ment s.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Adults who use big words in order to seem intelligent are annoying, especially those who are not intelligent.

Focusing on the beauty of life is insight. Enjoying the beauty of life is happiness.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

Life is not a competition between you and others. Concentrate on bettering your life instead of trying to be better than others.

Thank you, Mr. Rochester, for your great kindness. I am strangely glad to get back again to you: and wherever you are is my home—my only home.

Art history is always changing too.

I do not believe anything very certainly, but everything very probably.

Most people in life, give up too early.

It's fun to take a piece of formula and go someplace else with it and see what happens.

Enjoy your work and have ethical standards.