Anyone who in discussion quotes authority uses his memory rather than his intellect.
—Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1500
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Quotes
The unknown is the largest need of the intellect.
—Emily Dickinson, 1876Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.
—Laozi, c. 500 BCIt is permitted to learn even from an enemy.
—Ovid, c. 8An irreligious man is not one who denies the gods of the majority, but one who applies to the gods the opinions of the majority. For what most men say about the gods are not ideas derived from sensation, but false opinions, according to which the greatest evils come to the wicked, and the greatest blessings come to the good from the gods.
—Epicurus, c. 250 BCWhat water gives, water takes away.
—Portuguese proverbRivalry adds so much to the charms of one’s conquests.
—Louisa May Alcott, 1866What the brain does by itself is infinitely more fascinating and complex than any response it can make to chemical stimulation.
—Ursula K. Le Guin, 1971The poets did well to conjoin music and medicine, because the office of medicine is but to tune the curious harp of man’s body.
—Francis Bacon, 1605Friendship is not possible between two women, one of whom is very well dressed.
—Laurie Colwin, 1978Good men must not obey the laws too well.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844Among famous traitors of history, one might mention the weather.
—Ilka Chase, 1969To blow and to swallow at the same time is not easy; I cannot at the same time be here and also there.
—Plautus, c. 200 BC