Archive

Quotes

Everything that has wings is beyond the reach of the law.

—Joseph Joubert, 1791

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.

—Judge Learned Hand, 1944

I have often repented speaking, but never of holding my tongue.

—Xenocrates, c. 350 BC

The legislator is like the navigator of a ship on the high seas. He can steer the vessel on which he sails, but he cannot alter its construction, raise the wind, or stop the waves from swelling beneath his feet.

—Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835

Let my epitaph be, “Here lies Joseph, who failed in everything he undertook.”

—Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, 1790

Attacks on me will do no harm, and silent contempt is the best answer to them.

—James Monroe, 1808

War is fear cloaked in courage. 

—William Westmoreland, 1966

Bad men live that they may eat and drink, whereas good men eat and drink that they may live.

—Socrates, c. 430 BC

In revolutions men fall and rise. Long before this war is over, much as you hear me praised now, you may hear me cursed and insulted.

—William Tecumseh Sherman, 1864

Who sees all beings in his own self, and his own self in all beings, loses all fear.

—The Upanishads, c. 800 BC

Every fool becomes a philosopher after ten days of rain.

—Clover Adams, 1882

In all the ancient states and empires, those who had the shipping, had the wealth.

—William Petty, 1690

Envy and hatred are apt to blind the eyes and render them unable to behold things as they are.

—Margaret of Valois, c. 1600