Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes and pompous in the grave.
—Thomas Browne, 1658
Archive
Quotes
Every creature in the world is like a book and a picture, to us, and a mirror.
—Alain de Lille, c. 1200Everything that deceives does so by casting a spell.
—Plato, c. 375 BCDon’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash.
—Winston Churchill, 1939Give me chastity and continence, but not just now.
—Saint Augustine, 397Bright youth passes as quickly as thought.
—Theognis, c. 550 BCBeing offended is the natural consequence of leaving one’s home.
—Fran Lebowitz, 1981The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.
—Carl Sandburg, 1934Every man has a lurking wish to appear considerable in his native place.
—Samuel Johnson, 1771To teach is to learn twice over.
—Joseph Joubert, c. 1805He knows the water best who has waded through it.
—Danish proverbSpit not in the well; you may have to drink its water.
—French proverbYour mind’s got to eat, too.
—Dambudzo Marechera, 1978