Quotes of the day from previous years:
- 2004
- Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind. ~ Henry James
- 2005
- The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves. ~ William Hazlitt (born 10 April 1778)
- 2006
- Any relations in a social order will endure if there is infused into them some of that spirit of human sympathy, which qualifies life for immortality. ~ George William Russell (born 10 April 1867)
- 2007
- To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead. ~ William Hazlitt (born 10 April 1778)
- 2008
- They knew me from the dawn of time: if Hermes beats his rainbow wings,
If Angus shakes his locks of light, or golden-haired Apollo sings,
It matters not the name, the land; my joy in all the gods abides:
Even in the cricket in the grass some dimness of me smiles and hides.
~ Æ ~ [George William Russell] (born 10 April 1867)
- 2009
- It is well that there is no one without a fault; for he would not have a friend in the world. ~ William Hazlitt
- 2010
- It was the wise all-seeing soul
Who counselled neither war nor peace:
"Only be thou thyself that goal
In which the wars of time shall cease."
~ Æ ~
- 2011
- Oh Master of the Beautiful,
Creating us from hour to hour,
Give me this vision to the full
To see in lightest things thy power!
This vision give, no heaven afar,
No throne, and yet I will rejoice,
Knowing beneath my feet a star,
Thy word in every wandering voice.
~ Æ ~
- 2012
- Fame is the inheritance not of the dead, but of the living. It is we who look back with lofty pride to the great names of antiquity, who drink of that flood of glory as of a river, and refresh our wings in it for future flight. ~ William Hazlitt
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
| A young man who had been troubling society with impalpable doctrines of a new civilization which he called "the Kingdom of Heaven" had been put out of the way; and I can imagine that believer in material power murmuring as he went homeward, "it will all blow over now." Yes. The wind from the Kingdom of Heaven has blown over the world, and shall blow for centuries yet.
|
| ~ Æ ~
|
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- proposed by Kalki, in regard to his recent death.
- 2022
| The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom — and for ours — in the face of unspeakable violence and an unjust invasion. More than 4 million people, mostly women and children, have had to flee for their lives — a population nearly the size of Ireland. World leaders must stand up and stand by Ukranians[sic] now ... those who are fighting and those who have fled ... and stand with refugees everywhere who have been forced from their homes and their lands.
|
| ~ U2 ~
|
- 2023
- 2024
| I am no politician, and still less can I be said to be a party-man: I have a hatred of tyranny, and a contempt for its tools; and this feeling I have expressed as often and as strongly as I could. I cannot sit quietly down under the claims of barefaced power, and have tried to expose the little arts of sophistry by which they are defended. I have no mind to have my person made a property of, nor my understanding made a dupe of. I deny that liberty and slavery are convertible terms, that right and wrong, truth and falsehood, plenty and famine, the comforts or wretchedness of a people, are matters of perfect indifference. That is all I know of the matter; but on these points I am likely to remain incorrigible, in spite of any arguments that I have seen used to the contrary. It needs no sagacity to discover that two and two make four; but to persist in maintaining this obvious position, if all the fashion, authority, hypocrisy, and venality of mankind were arrayed against it, would require a considerable effort of personal courage, and would soon leave a man in a very formidable minority.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
- 2025
- proposed by Kalki; though I certainly do not agree with this absolutely — it has clear applicability to the tendencies of many.
- 2026
- Rank or add further suggestions…
Quotes by people born this day, already used as QOTD:
- Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what they ought to be. ~ William Hazlitt
The Quote of the Day (QOTD) is a prominent feature of the Wikiquote Main Page. Thank you for submitting, reviewing, and ranking suggestions!
- Ranking system
- 4 : Excellent – should definitely be used. (This is the utmost ranking and should be used by any editor for only one quote at a time for each date.)
- 3 : Very Good – strong desire to see it used.
- 2 : Good – some desire to see it used.
- 1 : Acceptable – but with no particular desire to see it used.
- 0 : Not acceptable – not appropriate for use as a quote of the day.
- An averaging of the rankings provided to each suggestion produces it’s general ranking in considerations for selection of Quote of the Day. The selections made are usually chosen from the top ranked options existing on the page, but the provision of highly ranked late additions, especially in regard to special events (most commonly in regard to the deaths of famous people, or other major social or physical occurrences), always remain an option for final selections.
- Thank you for participating!
The way to procure insults is to submit to them. A man meets with no more respect than he exacts. ~ William Hazlitt
During times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of patriotism. ~ Howard Thurman (date of death, exact date of birth unknown)
- 3 and strong lean toward 4. Zarbon 06:39, 22 November 2008 (UTC)
- Source: "Jesus and the Disinherited" - Page 74 - by Howard Thurman - Religion - 1996
- 2 Arjen Dijksman 13:52, 5 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 14:41, 5 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
Fiction gives us a second chance that life denies us. ~ Paul Theroux
- 3 Zarbon 04:36, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 InvisibleSun 21:02, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC) with a lean toward 3.
Death is an endless night so awful to contemplate that it can make us love life and value it with such passion that it may be the ultimate cause of all joy and all art. ~ Paul Theroux
- 3 for he who loves life knows it not until death arrives. Zarbon 04:36, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 InvisibleSun 21:02, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
In many ways connection has been disastrous. We have confused information (of which there has been too much of) with ideas (of which there are too few). I found out much more about the world and myself by being unconnected. ~ Paul Theroux
- 2 Zarbon 04:36, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2.5 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC) Perhaps without the first sentence.
- 3. Agree with not including the first sentence. - InvisibleSun 21:02, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC) and agree it is best to drop the first sentence, though some of the rest remains flawed also, though I understand the point he is trying to make.
You have to find out for yourself. Take the leap. Go as far as you can. Try staying out of touch. Become a stranger in a strange land. Acquire humility. Learn the language. Listen to what people are saying. ~ Paul Theroux
- 2 Zarbon 04:36, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC) Without referent. Rather jumbled.
- 2 InvisibleSun 21:02, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC) with a lean toward 3.
While Women weep as they do now, I'll fight.
While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight.
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, I'll fight.
While there is a drunkard left,
While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
While there remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight.
I'll fight to the very end! ~ William Booth
Without excuse and self-consideration of health or limb or life, true soldiers fight, live to fight, love the thickest of the fight, and die in the midst of it. ~ William Booth
- 3 with a strong lean toward 4. Zarbon 04:36, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Ningauble 20:51, 9 April 2009 (UTC) I find this disparaging of those willing and able to fight to the finish, but who love it not.
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC) though it is in some ways misleading.
NOTE: The following suggestions are for the Dragon Ball movie that is being released in theaters on this date
Watch Gohan! I said watch! Don't turn away! Honor his bravery! ~ ~ Piccolo (Dragon Ball: Evolution The Movie is to be released in theaters on this date)
- 2 though I still prefer the first Dragon Ball suggestion. Zarbon 14:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
It's ironic, isn't it? After all my years of training to defeat your father, I go out like this, trying to save you, his son...Gohan, you're the only real friend that I've ever had. I wanna thank you...I still remember the first day I brought you here. You were small, helpless. You've changed so much since then. The harder things got. The more determined you became. The more dangers you faced, the stronger you grew as a warrior. I know I was hard on you, but it was for your own good. You're like the son I never had. I'm proud of you. ~ Piccolo (Dragon Ball: Evolution The Movie is to be released in theaters on this date)
- 3 though I still prefer the first Dragon Ball suggestion. Zarbon 14:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki (talk · contributions) 02:53, 4 April 2011 (UTC)
2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
No fighter that has ever won a victory did so using his fists alone. All battles are won before they are even fought. ~ Piccolo (Dragon Ball: Evolution The Movie is to be released in theaters on this date)
- 3 though I still prefer the first Dragon Ball suggestion. Zarbon 14:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
Well, soon you'll realize that the people on this planet aren't logical at all. Funny thing is, they've rubbed off on me. ~ Piccolo (Dragon Ball: Evolution The Movie is to be released in theaters on this date)
- 3 though I still prefer the first Dragon Ball suggestion. Zarbon 14:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki (talk · contributions) 02:53, 4 April 2011 (UTC)
2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
You know, I used to be like you. One day you'll learn...that the more you hurt others, the harder your life becomes. It's simple. Your desire to kill is killing you! It's a darn shame! You could've put this hand to good use! What a waste of technology! ~ Piccolo (Dragon Ball: Evolution The Movie is to be released in theaters on this date)
- 2 though I still prefer the first Dragon Ball suggestion. Zarbon 14:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)
- 1 Kalki (talk · contributions) 02:53, 4 April 2011 (UTC)
2 Kalki 22:49, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
| There is a natural tendency in sects to narrow the mind.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| General principles are not the less true or important because, from their nature they elude immediate observation; they are like the air, which is not the less necessary because we neither see nor feel it, or like that secret influence which binds the world together and holds the planets in their orbits.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Man is a make-believe animal — he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
There is a natural tendency in sects to narrow the mind.
The extreme stress laid upon differences of minor importance, to the neglect of more general truths and broader views of things, gives an inverted bias to the understanding; and this bias is continually increased by the eagerness of controversy, and captious hostility to the prevailing system. A party-feeling of this kind once formed will insensibly communicate itself to other topics; and will be too apt to lead its votaries to a contempt for the opinions of others, a jealousy of every difference of sentiment, and a disposition to arrogate all sound principle as well as understanding to themselves, and those who think with them.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me. I am then never less alone than when alone.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty, to think, feel, do just as one pleases.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| You know more of a road by having travelled it than by all the conjectures and descriptions in the world.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| The Tory is one who is governed by sense and habit alone. He considers not what is possible, but what is real; he gives might the preference over right. He cries long life to the conqueror, and is ever strong upon the stronger side — the side of corruption and prerogative.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Belief is with them mechanical, voluntary: they believe what they are paid for — they swear to that which turns to account. Do you suppose, that after years spent in this manner, they have any feeling left answering to the difference between truth and falsehood?
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Grace is the absence of every thing that indicates pain or difficulty, or hesitation or incongruity.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry, cannot have much respect for himself, or for anything else.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Anyone must be mainly ignorant or thoughtless, who is surprised at everything he sees; or wonderfully conceited who expects everything to conform to his standard of propriety.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Any one who has passed through the regular gradations of a classical education, and is not made a fool by it, may consider himself as having had a very narrow escape.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Learning is, in too many cases, but a foil to common sense; a substitute for true knowledge.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| All that men really understand is confined to a very small compass; to their daily affairs and experience; to what they have an opportunity to know and motives to study or practise. The rest is affectation and imposture.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| If we wish to know the force of human genius, we should read Shakespeare. If we wish to see the insignificance of human learning, we may study his commentators.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Danger is a good teacher, and makes apt scholars. So are disgrace, defeat, exposure to immediate scorn and laughter. There is no opportunity in such cases for self-delusion, no idling time away, no being off your guard (or you must take the consequences) — neither is there any room for humour or caprice or prejudice.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Even in the common affairs of life, in love, friendship, and marriage, how little security have we when we trust our happiness in the hands of others!
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| There is not a more mean, stupid, dastardly, pitiful, selfish, spiteful, envious, ungrateful animal than the Public. It is the greatest of cowards, for it is afraid of itself.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| No people, no age, ever threw away the fruits of past wisdom, or the enjoyment of present blessings, for visionary schemes of ideal perfection. It is the knowledge of the past, the actual infliction of the present, that has produced all changes, all innovations, and all improvements — not (as is pretended) the chimerical anticipation of possible advantages, but the intolerable pressure of long-established, notorious, aggravated, and growing abuses.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| True worth does not exult in the faults and deficiencies of others; as true refinement turns away from grossness and deformity, instead of being tempted to indulge in an unmanly triumph over it. … Real power, real excellence, does not seek for a foil in inferiority; nor fear contamination from coming in contact with that which is coarse and homely.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Violent antipathies are always suspicious, and betray a secret affinity.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| It is easy to affect a pompous style, to use a word twice as big as the thing you want to express: it is not so easy to pitch upon the very word that exactly fits it, out of eight or ten words equally common, equally intelligible, with nearly equal pretensions, it is a matter of some nicety and discrimination to pick out the very one the preferableness of which is scarcely perceptible, but decisive.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| The least pain in our little finger gives us more concern and uneasiness, than the destruction of millions of our fellow-beings.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| In art, in taste, in life, in speech, you decide from feeling, and not from reason … If we were obliged to enter into a theoretical deliberation on every occasion before we act, life would be at a stand, and Art would be impracticable.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Corporate bodies are more corrupt and profligate than individuals, because they have more power to do mischief, and are less amenable to disgrace or punishment. They feel neither shame, remorse, gratitude, nor goodwill.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Hope is the best possession. None are completely wretched but those who are without hope; and few are reduced so low as that.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| The only vice which cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| An honest man speaks the truth, though it may give offence; a vain man, in order that it may.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| He will never have true friends who is afraid of making enemies.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are, the more leisure we have.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| He who comes up to his own idea of greatness, must always have had a very low standard of it in his mind.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Horus non numero nisi serenas—"I count only the hours that are serene"—is the motto of a sundial near Venice. There is a softness and a harmony in the words and in the thought unparalleled.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| Happy are they who live in the dream of their own existence, and see all things in the light of their own minds; who walk by faith and hope; to whom the guiding star of their youth still shines from afar, and into whom the spirit of the world has not entered! They have not been "hurt by the archers", nor has the iron entered their souls. The world has no hand on them.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
| If mankind had wished for what is right, they might have had it long ago.
|
| ~ William Hazlitt ~
|
