“Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.”

“The weak are wicked. Goodness can only be expected from the strong.”

Paulo Coelho (1947) Brazilian lyricist and novelist

“The weak are cruel. The strong have no need to be.”

Alice Hoffman (1952) Novelist, young-adult writer, children's writer

“Only the weak blame their past for the faults they find in their present; the strong acknowledge the effects of their past and then move on from it. We are all free to choose whether we will be weak or strong.”

Penny Jordan (1946–2011) British women's author

“A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.”

Jimmy Carter (1924) American politician, 39th president of the United States (in office from 1977 to 1981)

“The ki of the universe is absolute. There is no such thing as strong ki verses weak ki. Correctly speaking, ki is strong only because it is strongly extended, weak only when it is not extended strongly. There is no limit to how strong your ki can become if you train yourself to extend ki strongly.”

Koichi Tohei (1920–2011) Japanese aikidoka

“One can only influence the strong characters in life, not the weak; and it is the height of vanity to suppose that you can make an honest man of anyone.”

Margot Asquith (1864–1945) Anglo-Scottish socialite, author and wit

“Don’t expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong.”

Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American politician, 30th president of the United States (in office from 1923 to 1929)

“Don't use such strong words. It'll only make you look weak.”

Tite Kubo (1977) Japanese manga artist

“There is only one reason why men become addicted to drugs — they are weak men. Only strong men are cured, and they cure themselves.”

Martin H. Fischer (1879–1962) American university teacher (1879-1962)