Hank Aaron

I have always felt that although 
someone may defeat me, 
and I strike out in a ball game, 
the pitcher on the particular day 
was the best player. 
But I know when I see him again, 
I'm going to be ready for his curve ball. 
Failure is a part of success. 
~Hank Aaron~

Ben Aaronovitch

Every great decision creates ripples -- 
like a huge boulder dropped in a lake. 
The ripples merge, rebound off the banks 
in unforseeable ways. 
The heavier the decision, the larger the waves, 
the more uncertain the consequences. 
~Ben Aaronovitch~ 

Abdu'l-Baha

Man is not intended to see 
through the eyes of another, 
hear through another's ears 
nor comprehend with another's brain. 
Each human creature has individual endowment, 
power and responsibility in the creative plan of God. 
~Abdu'l-Baha~ 

Harold Acton

So often is the virgin sheet of paper
more real than what one has to say,
and so often one regrets having marred it.
~Harold Acton~

George Matthew Adams

Let us remember that the Christmas heart 
is a giving heart, a wide open heart 
that thinks of others first. 
The birth of the baby Jesus 
stands as the most significant event in all history, 
because it has meant the pouring into a sick world 
the healing medicine of love which has transformed 
all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... 
Underneath all the bulging bundles 
is this beating Christmas heart. 
~George Matthew Adams~

There is no such thing as a "self-made" man. 
We are made up of thousands of others. 
Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, 
or spoken one word of encouragement to us, 
has entered into the make-up of our character 
and of our thoughts, as well as our success. 
~George Matthew Adams~ 

Henry Brooks Adams

A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where his influence stops.
~Henry Brooks Adams~

Jane Addams

Action indeed is the sole medium 
of expression for ethics. 
~Jane Addams~ 

Joseph Addison

Books are the legacies that 
a great genius leaves to mankind, 
which are delivered down from 
generation to generation 
as presents to the posterity 
of those who are yet unborn. 
~Joseph Addison~

I consider a human soul 
without education like marble in the quarry, 
which shows none of its inherent beauties 
till the skill of the polisher fetches out 
the colours, makes the surface shine, 
and discovers every ornamental cloud, 
spot and vein that runs through the body of it. 
~Joseph Addison~

I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. 
If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, 
since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and 
the willingness to remain vulnerable.
~Joseph Addison~

What sculpture is to a block of marble, 
education is to the soul. 
~Joseph Addison~ 

What sunshine is to flowers, 
smiles are to humanity. 
These are but trifles, to be sure; 
but scattered along life's pathway, 
the good they do is inconceivable. 
~Joseph Addison~ 

Alfred Adler

It is easier to fight for one's principles
than to live up to them.
~Alfred Adler~

Aeschylus

It is an easy thing for one whose foot 
is on the outside of calamity 
to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer. 
~Aeschylus~ 

Aesop

It is not only fine feathers
that make fine birds.
~Aesop~

No act of kindness, no matter how small,
is ever wasted.
~Aesop~

Outside show is a poor substitute
for inner worth.
~Aesop~

Example is the best precept.
~Aesop~

It is easy to be brave
from a safe distance.
~Aesop~

Leo Aikman

You can tell more about a person 
by what he says about others 
than you can by what others 
say about him. 
~Leo Aikman~ 

Amos Bronson Alcott

The true teacher
defends his pupils against
his own personal influence.
He inspires self-distrust.
He guides their eyes from himself
to the spirit that quickens him.
He will have no disciple.
~Amos Bronson Alcott~

Louisa May Alcott

I think there were not in
all the city four merrier people
than the hungry little girls
who gave away their breakfasts and
contented themselves with bread and milk
on Christmas morning.
"That's loving our neighbor
better than ourselves,
and I like it" said Meg.
~Louisa May Alcott~

I am not afraid of storms
for I am learning how to sail my ship.
~Louisa May Alcott~

Far away there in the sunshine
are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them,
but I can look up and see their beauty,
believe in them,
and try to follow where they lead.
Love is the only thing that we can
carry with us when we go,
and it makes the end so easy.
~Louisa May Alcott~

Many argue; not many converse.
~Louisa May Alcott~

I believe that it is as much a right
and duty for women to do something
with their lives as for men and
we are not going to be satisfied
with such frivolous parts as you give us.
~Louisa May Alcott~

Beth could not reason upon
or explain the faith that gave her courage
and patience to give up life,
and cheerfully wait for death.
Like a confiding child,
she asked no questions,
but left everything
to God and nature,
Father and Mother of us all,
feeling sure that they,
and they only, could teach
and strengthen heart and spirit
for this life and the life to come....
excerpt from Little Women.
~Louisa May Alcott~

Let my name stand
among those who are willing
to bear ridicule and reproach
for the truth's sake,
and so earn some right to rejoice
when the victory is won.
~Louisa May Alcott~

Alan Alda

Be brave enough to live creatively. 
The creative is the place 
where no one else has ever been. 
You have to leave the city of your comfort 
and go into the wilderness of your intuition. 
You can't get there by bus, 
only by hard work, risking, 
and by not quite knowing what you're doing. 
What you'll discover will be wonderful: yourself. 
~Alan Alda~ 

No man or woman of the humblest sort 
can really be strong, gentle and good, 
without the world being better for it, 
without somebody being helped and comforted 
by the very existence of that goodness. 
~Alan Alda~ 

The best things said come last.
People will talk for hours
saying nothing much and then
linger at the door
with words that come
with a rush from the heart.
~Alan Alda~

Andrew Alden

Before speaking, 
consider the interpretation of your words 
as well as their intent. 
~Andrew Alden~ 

Alexandrea

I love you -- those three words have my life in them. 
~ Alexandrea~ 

Mohammed Ali

Service to others is the rent you pay 
for your room here on earth. 
~Mohammed Ali~

James Lane Allen

Good thoughts bear good fruit.... 
~James Lane Allen~

The outer conditions of a person's life 
will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs.
~James Lane Allen~

Work joyfully and peacefully, 
knowing that right thoughts and right efforts 
will inevitably bring about right results. 
~James Lane Allen~ 

Svetlana Alliluyeva

The one good thing about not seeing 
you is that I can write you letters. 
~Svetlana Alliluyeva~ 

Gordon William Allport

Love received and love given 
comprise the best form of therapy. 
~Gordon William Allport~ 

A. Alvarez

When there is no peril in the fight, 
there is no glory in the triumph. 
~A. Alvarez~

Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

None is more impoverished
than the one who has no gratitude.
Gratitude is a currency
that we can mint for ourselves,
and spend without fear of bankruptcy.
~Fred De Witt Van Amburgh~

Henri Frédéric Amiel

Love is faith, and one faith leads to another. 
~Henri Frédéric Amiel~

The man who has no inner life
is a slave to his surroundings.
~Henri Frédéric Amiel~

Whenever conscience speaks with a 
divided, uncertain, and disputed voice, 
it is not the voice of God. 
Descend still deeper into yourself, 
until you hear nothing but a clear, 
undivided voice, a voice which does away with doubt 
and brings with it persuasion, light, and serenity. 
~Henri Frédéric Amiel~ 

Joe Ancis

The only normal people 
are the ones you don't know very well. 
~Joe Ancis~ 

Greg Anderson

...the supply of misery, pain, and suffering
is unlimited. But so is the supply
of pleasure, contentment, and fulfillment.
It is we who do the rationing.
Ration no more!
Capture wellness this instant!
This instant is all there is.
Live it!
~Greg Anderson~

When we are motivated by goals
that have deep meaning,
by dreams that need completion,
by pure love that needs expressing,
then we truly live.
~Greg Anderson~

Everything is created twice --
first mentally, then physically.
~Greg Anderson~

The Law of Win/Win says
"Let's not do it your way or my way;
let's do it the best way."
~Greg Anderson~

When we blame,
we give away our power.
~Greg Anderson~

Stop the mindless wishing
that things would be different.
Rather than wasting time and
emotional and spiritual energy
in explaining why we don't have what we want,
we can start to pursue other ways to get it.
~Greg Anderson~

Hans Christian Anderson

Every man's life is a fairy tale 
written by God's fingers. 
~Hans Christian Anderson~ 

Lorraine Anderson

Nature has been for me, 
for as long as I remember, 
a source of solace, inspiration, 
adventure, and delight; 
a home, a teacher, a companion. 
~Lorraine Anderson~ 

Mario Andretti

Desire is the key to motivation, 
but it's determination and commitment 
to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal -- 
a commitment to excellence -- 
that will enable you to attain the success you seek. 
~Mario Andretti~ 

Barbara De Angelis

You don’t develop courage
by being happy
in your relationships everyday.
You develop it by
surviving difficult times
and challenging adversity.
~Barbara De Angelis~

No matter what age you are,
or what your circumstances might be,
you are special,
and you still have something unique
to offer. Your life,
because of who you are, has meaning.
~Barbara De Angelis~

Love is a force more formidable
than any other. It is invisible --
it cannot be seen or measured,
yet it is powerful enough
to transform you in a moment,
and offer you more joy
than any material possession could.
~Barbara De Angelis~

If you aren't good at loving yourself,
you will have a difficult time loving anyone,
since you'll resent the time and energy
you give another person
that you aren't even giving to yourself.
~Barbara De Angelis~

Women need real moments of solitude
and self-reflection to balance out how much
of ourselves we give away.
~Barbara De Angelis~

Maya Angelou

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, 
it sings because it has a song. 
~Maya Angelou~

Children's talent to endure 
stems from their ignorance of alternatives. 
~Maya Angelou~ 

Jean Annouilh

To say yes, 
you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves 
and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. 
It is easy to say no, 
even if saying no means death. 
~Jean Annouilh~

Louis K. Anspacher

Marriage is that relation 
between man and woman in which 
the independence is equal, 
the dependence mutual, 
and the obligation reciprocal. 
~Louis K. Anspacher~ 

Marc Anthony

Take my breath away.
~Marc Anthony~

Robert Newton Anthony

When you blame others, 
you give up your power to change. 
~Robert Newton Anthony~

The one who loves the least, 
controls the relationship. 
~Robert Newton Anthony~

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Accept the things
To which fate binds you and
Love the people with whom fate
Brings you together
But do so with all your heart.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

When you arise in the morning,
think of what a precious
privilege it is to be alive-
to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

Never esteem anything as of
advantage to you
that will make you break your word
or lose your self-respect.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

Everything that happens
happens as it should,
and if you observe carefully,
you will find this to be so.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

We ought to do good to others
as simply as a horse runs,
or a bee makes honey,
or a vine bears grapes
season after season
without thinking of the grapes
it has borne.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

Never let the future disturb you.
You will meet it, if you have to,
with the same weapons of reason which
today arm you against the present.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

Remember this --
very little is needed
to make a happy life.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

Such as are your habitual thoughts,
such also will be the character
of your mind; for the soul
is dyed by the thoughts.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

The happiness of your life
depends upon the quality of your thoughts:
therefore, guard accordingly,
and take care that you entertain no notions
unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.
~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus~

St. Thomas Aquinas

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, 
attempts what is above its strength, 
pleads no excuse of impossibility….
It is therefore able to undertake all things. 
~St. Thomas Aquinas~

Corazon Aquino

Reconciliation should be 
accompanied by justice, 
otherwise it will not last. 
While we all hope for peace 
it shouldn't be peace at any cost 
but peace based on principle, on justice. 
~Corazon Aquino~ 

Pietro Aretino

I love you, and because I love you, 
I would sooner have you hate me 
for telling you the truth than adore me 
for telling you lies. 
~Pietro Aretino~ 

Aristotle

We make war
that we may live in peace.
~Aristotle~

Anything that we have to learn
we learn by the actually doing of it...
we become just by performing just acts,
temperate by performing temperate ones,
brave by performing brave ones.
~Aristotle~

Dignity consists not in possessing honors,
but in the consciousness that we deserve them.
~Aristotle~

It is not once nor twice
but times without number
that the same ideas make
their appearance in the world.
~Aristotle~

To enjoy the things we ought
and to hate the things we ought
has the greatest bearing on
excellence of character.
~Aristotle~

Humor is the only test of gravity,
and gravity of humor;
for a subject which will not
bear raillery is suspicious,
and a jest which will not
bear serious examination
is false wit.
~Aristotle~

It is the mark of an educated mind
to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
~Aristotle~

Education is the best provision for old age.
~Aristotle~

For the things we have to learn
before we can do them,
we learn by doing them.
~Aristotle~

Teachers who educate children
deserve more honor than
parents who merely gave them birth;
for bare life is furnished by the one,
the other ensures a good life.
~Aristotle~

Most people would rather give
than get affection.
~Aristotle~

Happiness is a state of activity.
~Aristotle~

We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence then,
is not an act, but a habit.
~Aristotle~

Courage is the first of human qualities
because it is the quality which
guarantees the others.
~Aristotle~

Excellence is an art
won by training and habituation.
We do not act rightly because
we have virtue or excellence,
but we rather have those because
we have acted rightly.
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then,
is not an act but a habit.
~Aristotle~

The distinction between
historian and poet
is not in the one
writing prose and the other verse...
the one describes the
thing that has been,
and the other a
kind of thing that might be.
Hence poetry is something
more philosophic and
of graver import than history,
since its statements are of
the nature rather of universals,
whereas those of history are
singulars.
~Aristotle~

Even when laws have been written down, 
they ought not always to remain unaltered. 
~Aristotle~ 

I count him braver who 
overcomes his desires 
than him who conquers his enemies; 
for the hardest victory is over self. 
~Aristotle~ 

We become just by performing just actions, 
temperate by performing temperate actions, 
brave by performing brave actions. 
~Aristotle~ 

In the arena of human life 
the honors and rewards fall to those who 
show their good qualities in action. 
~Aristotle~ 

The best friend is the man who in wishing me well 
wishes it for my sake. 
~Aristotle~ 

The high minded man must care more for 
the truth than for what people think. 
~Aristotle~

Richard Armstrong

When fog prevents a small-boat sailor from seeing the buoy marking the course he wants, he turns his boat rapidly in small circles, knowing that the waves he makes will rock the buoy in the vicinity. Then he stops, listens and repeats the procedure until he hears the buoy clang. By making waves, he finds where his course lies… Often the price of finding these guides is a willingness to take a few risks, to "make a few waves." A boat that stays in the harbor never encounters dangers -- but it also never gets anywhere.
~Richard Armstrong~

Louis Satchmo Armstronp

Rank does not confer privilege or give power. 
It imposes responsibility. 
~Louis Satchmo Armstronp~ 

Edwin Arnold

Like threads of silver seen through crystal beads 
Let love through good deeds show. 
~Edwin Arnold~

Matthew Arnold

...what thwarts us and demands of us 
the greatest effort 
is also what can teach us most. 
~Matthew Arnold~ 

Thomas Arnold

The distinction between Christianity 
and all other systems of religion consists largely in this, 
that in these others, men are found seeking after God, 
while Christianity is God seeking after men. 
~Thomas Arnold~ 

Arthur Ashe

True heroism is remarkably sober,
very undramatic. It is not the urge
to surpass all others at whatever cost,
but the urge to serve others
at whatever cost.
~Arthur Ashe~

From what we get, we can make a living; 
what we give, however, makes a life. 
~Arthur Ashe~ 

Jan Ashford

There is no such thing as can't, only won't. 
If you're qualified, all it takes is a burning desire 
to accomplish, to make a change. 
Go forward, go backward. 
Whatever it takes! 
But you can't blame other people 
or society in general. 
It all comes from your mind. 
When we do the impossible 
we realize we are special people. 
~Jan Ashford~ 

Isaac Asimov

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, 
the one that heralds new discoveries, 
is not "Eureka!" ("I've found it!") but 
"That's funny..." 
~Isaac Asimov~ 

The most exciting phrase to hear in science,
the one that heralds the most discoveries,
is not "Eureka!", but "That's funny..."
-Isaac Asimov~
Or "Oops" or "It wasn't supposed to do THAT!"

Wilma Askinas

A friend is someone who 
sees through you and still enjoys the view.
~Wilma Askinas~ 

Athenaeus

For that's what a woman, a mother wants 
-- to teach her children to take an interest in life. 
She knows it's safer for them 
to be interested in other people's happiness 
than to believe in their own. 
~Athenaeus~ 

W. H. Auden

. . . see without looking,
hear without listening,
breathe without asking.
~W. H. Auden~

To save your world 
you asked this man to die; 
Would this man, 
could he see you now, 
ask why? 
~W. H. Auden~ 
Epitaph for an Unknown Soldier 

John H. Aughey

God brings men into deep waters
not to drown them,
but to cleanse them.
~John H. Aughey~

Saint Augustine

He that is jealous is not in love.
~Saint Augustine~

We can know what God is not,
but we cannot know what He is.
~Saint Augustine~

God loves each of us
as if there were only one of us.
~Saint. Augustine~

The world is a book,
and those who do not travel,
read only one page.
~Saint Augustine~

Beauty is indeed a good gift of God;
but that the good may not
think it a great good,
God dispenses it
even to the wicked.
~Saint Augustine~

Unless you believe, you will not understand.
~Saint Augustine~

Conscience and reputation are two things.
Conscience is due to yourself,
reputation to your neighbour.
~Saint Augustine~

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
~Saint Augustine~

There is no greater invitation to love
than loving first.
~Saint. Augustine~

Faith is to believe what you do not see;
the reward of this faith is to
see what you believe.
~Saint. Augustine~

Minnie Aumonier

There is always music amongst 
the trees in the garden, 
but our hearts must be very quiet 
to hear it. 
~Minnie Aumonier~ 

song playing....Words

 

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