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September 28

From Wikiquote

Quotes of the day from previous years:

2003
If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work. "Hello, can't work today. Still queer." ~ Robin Tyler
2004
Love is the most important thing in the world. It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect. ~ Hermann Hesse
2005
In the season of white wild roses
We two went hand in hand:
But now in the ruddy autumn
Together already we stand. ~ Francis Turner Palgrave (born 28 September 1824)
2006
When once the mind has raised itself to grasp and to delight in excellence, those who love most will be found to love most wisely. ~ Francis Turner Palgrave (born 28 September 1824)
2007
A man's life is interesting primarily when he has failed — I well know. For it's a sign that he tried to surpass himself. ~ Georges Clemenceau (born 28 September 1841)
2008
I don't think there's anything exceptional or noble in being philanthropic. It's the other attitude that confuses me. ~ Paul Newman (recent death)
2009
The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret. Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does not know. Common men and women, however much below the ordinary standard of character, can carry it into practice; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage is not able to carry into practice. Great as heaven and earth are, men still find some things in them with which to be dissatisfied. Thus it is that, were the superior man to speak of his way in all its greatness, nothing in the world would be found able to embrace it, and were he to speak of it in its minuteness, nothing in the world would be found able to split it. ~ Confucius
2010
It is the way of the superior man to prefer the concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and it is the way of the mean man to seek notoriety, while he daily goes more and more to ruin. It is characteristic of the superior man, appearing insipid, yet never to produce satiety; while showing a simple negligence, yet to have his accomplishments recognized; while seemingly plain, yet to be discriminating. He knows how what is distant lies in what is near. He knows where the wind proceeds from. He knows how what is minute becomes manifested. Such a one, we may be sure, will enter into virtue. ~ Confucius
2011
The superior man examines his heart, that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause for dissatisfaction with himself. That wherein the superior man cannot be equaled is simply this — his work which other men cannot see. ~ Confucius
2012
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
~ Confucius ~
2013
He who attains to sincerity is he who chooses what is good, and firmly holds it fast. To this attainment there are requisite the extensive study of what is good, accurate inquiry about it, careful reflection on it, the clear discrimination of it, and the earnest practice of it.
~ Confucius ~
2014
The superior man can find himself in no situation in which he is not himself. In a high situation, he does not treat with contempt his inferiors. In a low situation, he does not court the favor of his superiors. He rectifies himself, and seeks for nothing from others, so that he has no dissatisfactions. He does not murmur against Heaven, nor grumble against men. Thus it is that the superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of Heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.
~ Confucius ~
2015
I am not bothered by the fact that I am unknown. I am bothered when I do not know others.
~ Confucius (孔子 · Kongzi) ~
2016
It is by character and not by intellect the world is won.
~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall ~
2017
Things have their root and their branches. Affairs have their end and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in the Great Learning.
~ Confucius (孔子 · Kongzi) ~
2018
There is always more goodness in the world than there appears to be, because goodness is of its very nature modest and retiring.
~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall ~
2019
The superior man thinks of virtue; the small man thinks of comfort. The superior man thinks of the sanctions of law; the small man thinks of favors which he may receive.
~ Confucius (孔子 · Kongzi) ~
2020
If every man did the little he could — what a different world!
~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall ~
2021
I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson.
~ Confucius (孔子 · Kongzi) ~
2022
It is easier to make war than make peace.
~ Georges Clemenceau ~
2023
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "In silence is the offering presented, and the spirit approached to; there is not the slightest contention." Therefore the superior man does not use rewards, and the people are stimulated to virtue. He does not show anger, and the people are awed more than by hatchets and battle-axes.
~ Confucius ~
2024
Our hope is less to last through Art
Than deeper searching of the heart,
Than broader range of uttered truth.
~ Francis Turner Palgrave ~
2025
Rank or add further suggestions…


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Suggestions

[edit]

War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory. ~ Georges Clemenceau

  • 2 because this is somewhat true. Victory is had, but not everyone experiences it. The fact that war can be depicted as a series of catastrophes however, is somewhat stabilized a perspective. Zarbon 03:37, 1 May 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 Kalki 00:21, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 3 InvisibleSun 17:29, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 3 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

The idea of choice is easily debased if one forgets that the aim is to have chosen successfully, not to be endlessly choosing. ~ George W. S. Trow

  • 2 Zarbon 05:00, 10 June 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 Kalki 00:21, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 InvisibleSun 17:29, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

By this act, all ties with the dreadful past are broken, and my government will be proud to be able to march with you on to the inevitable victory. ~ Pietro Badoglio

  • 3 Zarbon 04:36, 17 June 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 Kalki 00:21, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 2 InvisibleSun 17:29, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
  • 1 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC) No context.

When a man asks himself what is meant by action he proves that he isn't a man of action. Action is a lack of balance. In order to act you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking. ~ Georges Clemenceau

  • 3 Kalki 13:21, 26 September 2009 (UTC)
  • 2 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

A man who waits to believe in action before acting is anything you like, but he’s not a man of action. It is as if a tennis player before returning a ball stopped to think about his views of the physical and mental advantages of tennis. You must act as you breathe. ~ Georges Clemenceau

  • 3 Kalki 13:21, 26 September 2009 (UTC)
  • 2.5 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

A man's life is interesting primarily when he has failed — I well know. For it's a sign that he tried to surpass himself. ~ Georges Clemenceau

  • 3 Kalki 13:21, 26 September 2009 (UTC)
  • 2.5 //Gbern3 (talk) 15:29, 23 August 2013 (UTC)


In the season of white wild roses
We two went hand in hand:
But now in the ruddy autumn
Together already we stand.
~ Francis Turner Palgrave ~

Shakespeare's stage
Must hold the glass to every age,—
A thousand forms and passions glow
Upon the world-wide canvas. So
With larger scope our art we ply;
And if the crown be harder won,
Diviner rays around it run,
With strains of fuller harmony.
~ Francis Turner Palgrave ~