Archive

Quotes

Modesty is a virtue not often found among poets, for almost every one of them thinks himself the greatest in the world.

—Miguel de Cervantes, 1615

What is life but organized energy?

—Arthur C. Clarke, 1958

Today’s city is the most vulnerable social structure ever conceived by man.

—Martin Oppenheimer, 1969

There is a sickness among tyrants: they cannot trust their friends.

—Aeschylus, c. 458 BC

Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! There’s no looking at a building here after seeing Italy.

—Fanny Burney, 1782

There are people whom one loves immediately and forever. Even to know they are alive in the world with one is quite enough.

—Nancy Spain, 1956

Where happiness fails, existence remains a mad and lamentable experiment.

—George Santayana, c. 1905

Dread attends the unknown.

—Nadine Gordimer, 1998

Better a thousand enemies outside the house than one inside.

—Arabic proverb

It’s your business when your neighbor’s wall is in flames.

—Horace, 19 BC

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals—except the weasel.

—The Simpsons, 1993

Drink does not drown care but waters it, and makes it grow faster.

—Benjamin Franklin, 1749

Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise.

—Book of Proverbs, c. 350 BC