
“First of all, ladies and gentlemen, you must forget that you are singers.”
Instructions to the singers in his opera Pelléas et Mélisande, as quoted in 100 Great Operas and Their Stories (1989) by Henry William Simon, p. 371
Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (1770)
“First of all, ladies and gentlemen, you must forget that you are singers.”
Instructions to the singers in his opera Pelléas et Mélisande, as quoted in 100 Great Operas and Their Stories (1989) by Henry William Simon, p. 371
“Often we are so busy with sawing that we forget to sharpen the saw..”
First Things First (1994), Disputed
Source: Fortunatus the Pessimist (1892), Fortunatus in Act I, sc. ii; p. 15.
“We talk a great deal about patriotism. What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times?”
Speech to the American Legion convention, New York City (27 August 1952); as quoted in "Democratic Candidate Adlai Stevenson Defines the Nature of Patriotism" in Lend Me Your Ears : Great Speeches In History (2004) by William Safire, p. 79 - 80
Context: We talk a great deal about patriotism. What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power — to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect of all mankind; a patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. The dedication of a lifetime — these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.
Letter to The Tribune (20 December 1940), later published in A Patriot After All, 1940-1941 (1999)
“We are such things as rubbish is made of, so let's drink up and forget it.”
Source: Long Day's Journey Into Night
Source: Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives