Quotes about thinking
page 48

“I am. I am, I exist, I think, therefore I am; I am because I think, why do I think? I don't want to think any more, I am because I think that I don't want to be, I think that I… because… ugh!”

Jean Paul Sartre book Nausea

Source: Nausea

“Anxiety, the next gumption trap, is sort of the opposite of ego. You're so sure you'll do everything wrong you're afraid to do anything at all. Often this, rather than "laziness," is the real reason you find it hard to get started. This gumption trap of anxiety, which results from over-motivation, can lead to all kinds of errors of excessive fussiness. You fix things that don't need fixing, and chase after imaginary ailments. You jump to wild conclusions and build all kinds of errors into the machine because of your own nervousness. These errors, when made, tend to confirm your original underestimation of yourself. This leads to more errors, which lead to more underestimation, in a self-stoking cycle. The best way to break this cycle, I think, is to work out your anxieties on paper. Read every book and magazine you can on the subject. Your anxiety makes this easy and the more you read the more you calm down.”

Robert M. Pirsig book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Source: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974), Ch. 26
Source: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values

Books, Way, Error, Motivation

“It interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person, another group of people. It happens everywhere, and all the time. Whatever we call it, I think it’s the lowest part of who we are, this need to find someone else to put down.”

Elizabeth Strout (1956) American writer

Source: My Name is Lucy Barton

People, Way, Feeling, Time

“I'm almost there, almost to the barricade, when I thinks she hears me. Because for just a moment, she catches sight of me, her lips form my name.

And that's when the rest of the parachutes go off.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Source: Mockingjay

“The raw hunk of meat that used to be my enemy makes a sound, and I know where the mouth is. And I think the word he's trying to say is 'please'. Pity, not vengeance sends my arrow flying into his skull.”

Suzanne Collins (1962) American television writer and novelist

Flying

“Isabelle snorted, "All the boysgay. In this truck, anyway. Well, not you, Simon."
"You noticed," said Simon.
"I think of myself as a freewheeling bisexual," added Magnus.
"Please never say those words in front of my parents," said Alec.”

Cassandra Clare The City of Lost Souls

Source: City of Lost Souls

Parent

“I think it would be interesting if old people got anti-Alzheimer's disease where they slowly began to recover other people's lost memories.”

George Carlin (1937–2008) American stand-up comedian

People, Disease, Memory

“What makes a man a man? A friend of mine once wondered. Is it his origins? The way he comes to life? I don't think so. It's the choices he makes. Not how he starts things, but how he decides to end them.”

Guillermo del Toro (1964) Mexican film director

Source: Hellboy: The Art of the Movie

Life, Way

“Being happy or unhappy - is that really the most important thing? Knowing the truth would be a different kind of happiness - a more satisfying kind, I think, even if it turned out to be a sad kind.”

Ira Levin book This Perfect Day

Source: This Perfect Day

Happiness, Truth, Sadness

“He looks," Simon had once said to Isabelle, "like he's thinking about something deep and meaningful, but if you ask him what it is, he'll punch you in the face.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Fallen Angels

Source: City of Fallen Angels

“She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl.”

Harper Lee book To Kill a Mockingbird

Pt. 2, ch. 12
Jean Louise (Scout) Finch
Source: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Girl, Appearance

“But I think this: that whatever prices I've paid, whatever sorrows I shoulder, well, I have blessings, too. Not just my family now, but the others-the ones who have died… They're with me still. They're here…”

Wally Lamb book She's Come Undone

Source: She's Come Undone

Family

“There is that. I might have better luck telling him I’m in love with him. Jace thinks everyone’s in love with him anyway.”
“But I,” said Clary, “actually am.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Love

“Rabbits live close to death and when death comes closer than usual, thinking about survival leaves little room for anything else.”

Richard Adams book Watership Down

Source: Watership Down

Death

“The thing about people who are truly and malignantly crazy: their real genius is for making the people around them think theyare crazy. In military science this is called Psy-Ops, for your info.”

David Foster Wallace book Infinite Jest

Source: Infinite Jest

People, Science

“I think 99 times and find nothing. I stop thinking, swim in silence, and the truth comes to me.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

Truth, Silence, Time

“It is certain, I think, that the best government is the one that governs the least. But there is a much-neglected corollary: the best citizen is the one who least needs governing.”

Wendell Berry (1934) author

Source: The Long-Legged House

“Not really, but after that I think about how I could kill him while he slept if I really wanted to, and then I feel better.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Angel

Source: Clockwork Angel

Feeling

“I make mistakes. That's what I do. I
speak without thinking, I act without
knowing. I drink so much that I can
barely walk… I'm a fantastic lover
though, and an amazing friend. God
knows I mean well.”

Candace Bushnell (1958) American author

God, Lovers, Drink

“The trouble with you, dear, is that you think an angel of the Lord as a creature with wings, whereas he is probably a scruffy little man with a bowler hat.”

Josephine Tey book The Franchise Affair

Source: The Franchise Affair

Angels

“Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”

Maya Angelou book Letter to My Daughter

Source: Letter to My Daughter

Way, Effort, Change

“Thinking that it would console him, she took a piece of charcoal and erased the innumerable loves that he still owed her for, and she voluntarily brought up her own most solitary sadnesses so as not to leave him alone in his weeping.”

Gabriel García Márquez book One Hundred Years of Solitude

Source: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Love, Sadness

“We tend to think of the erotic as an easy, tantalizing sexual arousal. I speak of the erotic as the deepest life force, a force which moves us toward living in a fundamental way.”

Audre Lorde (1934–1992) writer and activist

Life, Way

“Never let stress shape your strategy. Most women think better after a brisk walk, a light meal, a massage and a nap.”

Barbara Taylor Bradford (1933) British author

Source: Her Own Rules

Women, Light

“Think twice before you speak to a friend in need”

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914) American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist

Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“Kyle want to be a rockstar. I think hes working the one-name thing. Like Rihanna."
"I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Idea

“Humor is our way of defending ourselves from life's absurdities by thinking absurdly about them.”

Lewis Mumford (1895–1990) American historian, sociologist, philosopher of technology, and literary critic

Life, Way

“Who loves you most? Who loves you best? Who thinks of you when others rest?”

Elizabeth Gilbert (1969) American writer

Source: The Signature of All Things

Love

“Fang: When do I get out of here?
Max: They say a week.
Fang: So, like, tomorrow?
Max: That's what I'm thinking.”

James Patterson (1947) American author

Source: School's Out—Forever

“I sit there thinking about how much courage it takes to live an ordinary life.”

Colum McCann book Let the Great World Spin

Source: Let the Great World Spin

Life, Courage

“Some men die for lack of love…some die because of it. Think about it." - Daemon”

Anne Bishop (1955) American fiction writer

Source: Daughter of the Blood

Love, Men

“If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get me drunk," I said to Ranger.
"Not drunk," Ranger said. "Just relaxed and naked.”

Janet Evanovich book Sizzling Sixteen

Source: Sizzling Sixteen

“Belief?"
"Yes," Sazed said. "Tell me, Mistress. What is it that you believe?"
Vin frowned. "What kind of question is that?"
"The most important kind, I think.”

Brandon Sanderson (1975) American fantasy writer

Source: The Final Empire

Question

“You don't have to talk to someone to think about them and check up on them now and again.”

Emily Giffin (1972) American writer

Source: Love the One You're With

“She wasn't much to look at but she was something to think about.”

James Thurber (1894–1961) American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright

“The more I see of what you call civilization, the more highly I think of what you call savagery!”

Robert E. Howard (1906–1936) American author

Source: King Kull

“Women don't want to hear what you think. Women want to hear what they think - in a deeper voice.”

Bill Cosby (1937) American actor, comedian, author, producer, musician, activist

Women

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.”

T.S. Eliot The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Source: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (1915)
Context: I grow old … I grow old...
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

Singing

“.. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the 'Momentary' masters of a 'Fraction' of a 'Dot”

Carl Sagan book Pale Blue Dot

Source: Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

“Next time you think of me like that, say my name when you come. It'll get you off even better.”

Jessica Bird (1969) U.S. novelist

Source: Lover Enshrined

Time

“You see gods have great power, but only humans have creativity, the power to change history rather than simply repeat it. Humans can… how do you moderns say it… think outside the cup.”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

God, History, Change

“This isn’t really death,’ Tyler says. ‘We’ll be legend. We won’t grow old.’ I tongue the barrel into my cheek and say, Tyler, you’re thinking of vampires.”

Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club

Source: Fight Club

Death

“Think of yourselves as a hand. Each of you is a finger, and without the others you're useless. Alone, a finger can't grasp, or control, or form a fist. You are nothing on your own, and everything together.”

Karen Traviss British science fiction author

“I know that homes burn and that you should think what to save before they start to. Not because, in the heat of it, everything looks as valuable as everything else. But, because nothing looks worth the bother, not even your life.”

Amy Hempel (1951) Short story writer

Source: The Collected Stories

Life, Home

“he came to think, It surprised him that strangers didn't stop each other on the street to say”

Jonathan Safran Foer book Everything Is Illuminated

Source: Everything Is Illuminated

“What do you think?" I whisper to Peeta. "About the fire?"
"I'll rip off your cape if you'll rip off mine," he says through gritted teeth.”

Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games

Source: The Hunger Games

“There are and will be those who think I have gone overboard. Let them rest assured that this assessment is correct, probably beyond their wildest imagination, and that I will continue to do so.”

Mary Daly (1928–2010) American radical feminist philosopher and theologian

Imagination

“If your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough.”

Wes Jackson (1936) American botanist

Life

“I don't have to tell you it goes without saying there are some things better left unsaid. I think that speaks for itself. The less said about it the better.”

George Carlin book Brain Droppings

Source: Brain Droppings

“Someday, Will, I will go where none can follow me, and I think it will be sooner rather than later. Have you ever asked yourself why I agreed to be your parabatai?”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Prince

Source: Clockwork Prince

“It's just the biggest mistake I could think to make”

Chuck Palahniuk book Invisible Monsters

Source: Invisible Monsters

“You have to avoid thinking of what upsets you. If not, it will take over your life.”

Alex Flinn (1966) American children's writer

Source: Towering

Life

“We can't know or say what other people do. have to think whatwant to do to get the situation where you want it to be.”

E. Lockhart (1967) American writer of novels as E. Lockhart (mainly for teenage girls) and of picture books under real name Emily J…

Source: The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them

People

“I laid my hand on top of theirs, and all I could think was, Is this how revolutions begin? Not with a proclamation or a riot, but with a few people in a room somewhere with their hands clasped and a purpose.”

Laurell K. Hamilton book Bullet

Source: Bullet

People

“If you can't imagine it, think clumsy silence. Think bits and pieces of floating despair. And drowning in a train.”

Markus Zusak book The Book Thief

Source: The Book Thief

Imagination, Silence, Training, Despair

“Well, that depends, I suppose. I heard someone once say that men dance the same way they have sex. So, if you want everyone here to think you're the kind of guy who just sits around and—"
He stood up. "Let's dance.”

Richelle Mead (1976) American writer

Source: Succubus Blues

Men, Sex, Way, Guy

“Katniss, I don't think President Snow will kill Peeta. If he does, he won't have any way to hurt you."
"So, what do you think they'll do to him?" I ask.
"Whatever it takes to break you.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Source: Mockingjay

Way, Hurt

“I just think people overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.”

Iain Banks book Use of Weapons

Source: Culture series, Use of Weapons (1990), Chapter II (p. 417).
Context: He shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Aw, Darac, come on; argue, dammit.”
“I don’t believe in argument,” he said, looking out into the darkness (and saw a towering ship, a capital ship, ringed with its layers and levels of armament and armor, dark against the dusk light, but not dead).
“You don’t?” Erens said, genuinely surprised. “Shit, and I thought I was the cynical one.”
“It’s not cynicism,” he said flatly. “I just think people overvalue argument because they like to hear themselves talk.”
“Oh well, thank you.”
“It’s comforting, I suppose.” He watched the stars wheel, like absurdly slow shells seen at night: rising, peaking, falling...(And reminded himself that the stars too would explode, perhaps, one day.) “Most people are not prepared to have their minds changed,” he said. “And I think they know in their hearts that other people are just the same, and one of the reasons people become angry when they argue is that they realize just that, as they trot out their excuses.”
“Excuses, eh? Well, if this ain’t cynicism, what is?” Erens snorted.
“Yes, excuses,” he said, with what Erens thought might just have been a trace of bitterness. “I strongly suspect the things people believe in are usually just what they instinctively feel is right; the excuses, the justifications, the things you’re supposed to argue about, come later. They’re the least important part of the belief. That’s why you can destroy them, win an argument, prove the other person wrong, and still they believe what they did in the first place.” He looked at Erens. “You’ve attacked the wrong thing.”

People

“I tell you, there are more worlds, and more doors to them, than you will think of in many years!”

George MacDonald book Lilith

Source: Lilith

World

“Calvin: Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we can think faster than we speak?.
Hobbes: Probably so we can think twice.
p.171”

Bill Watterson (1958) American comic artist

There's Treasure Everywhere

“Be careful of love. It'll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wrong.”

Rick Riordan book The Battle of the Labyrinth

Source: The Battle of the Labyrinth

Love

“A woman at a certain age who is unmarried, our society teaches her to see it as a deep personal failure. And a man, after a certain age isn’t married, we just think he hasn’t come around to making his pick.”

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie We Should All Be Feminists

Source: We Should All Be Feminists

Age, Failure, Personality

“It's been so long that I think I was unsettled by the idea of feeling like I belonged anywhere. But you made me feel like I belong.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Bones

Jace to Clary, pg. 482
Source: The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones (2007)

Feeling, Idea

“If you smile, even if you’re feeling bad, the action of the muscles will trick your brain into thinking you’re happy”

Candace Bushnell book The Carrie Diaries

Source: The Carrie Diaries

Happiness, Smile, Feeling

“I was just thinking if the sex with you is one-tenth as fun as arguing with you. I'll be one happy bastard."

"You'll never find out. You--------"

He kissed me.

~ Jack Travis & Ella Varner”

Lisa Kleypas (1964) American writer

Source: Smooth Talking Stranger

Happiness, Sex, Kiss

“You think my kids just popped out of the ground?”

Kim Harrison (1966) Pseudonym

Source: Dead Witch Walking

“Censors never go after books unless kids already like them. I don’t even think they know to go after books until they know that children are interested in reading this book, therefore there must be something in it that’s wrong.”

Judy Blume (1938) American children's writer

Children, Books, Reading

“Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.”

Jane Austen book Emma

Source: Emma

Love, Way, Nature

“I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve lost.”

Nan Goldin (1953) American photographer

“A censor is an expert in cutting remarks. A censor is a man who knows more than he thinks you ought to.”

Laurence J. Peter (1919–1990) Canadian eductor

“I don't do that kind of negativity. If you put your energy into thinking about how much the fall would hurt, you're already halfway down.”

Tana French book Broken Harbour

Source: Broken Harbour

Hurt

“I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.”

Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) British stateswoman and politician

From an interview for Italian television (RAI) (10 March 1986) http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/106223 <br class="br">Second term as Prime Minister <br class="br">Context: In my work, you get used to criticisms. Of course you do, because there are a lot of people trying to get you down, but I always cheer up immensely if one is particularly wounding because I think well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. That is why my father always taught me: never worry about anyone who attacks you personally; it means their arguments carry no weight and they know it.

Personality

“I used to think you were weak and just didn't fight back… but now, honestly, I think you're actually pretty tough. It takes a hell of a lot of strength to not complain and lash out.”

Richelle Mead Bloodlines

Source: Bloodlines

Hell, Fight

“One must not always think so much about what one should do, but rather what one should be. Our works do not ennoble us; but we must ennoble our works.”

Meister Eckhart (1260–1328) German theologian

“It's funny, don't you think, how time seems to do a lot of things? It flies, it tells, and worst of all, it runs out.”

Markus Zusak book Fighting Ruben Wolfe

Source: Fighting Ruben Wolfe

Time

“Where all think alike there is little danger of innovation.”

Edward Abbey book Desert Solitaire

Source: Desert Solitaire

“I was tired of seeing the Graces always depicted as beautiful young things. I think wisdom comes with age and life and pain. And knowing what matters.”

Louise Penny book A Fatal Grace

Source: A Fatal Grace

Life, Wisdom, Pain, Age

“I hear a guttural sound followed by a weak sigh and look back at the bodies.
"I'm going to kill the kid," Barrons says faintly.
Ryodan makes a burbling sound like a bloody laugh. I don't think he even has the parts left to laugh with. "Get in line.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

Source: Iced

Parting

“How long can we maintain? I wonder. How long before one of us starts raving and jabbering at this boy? What will he think then? This same lonely desert was the last known home of the Manson family. Will he make that grim connection..”

Hunter S. Thompson book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Source: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Family, Home, Boy

“Adrian, we hashed this out! Everything's gone perfectly until now. Why would you even think about deviating from the plan?'

'Um, because that's how we roll?”

Richelle Mead book Silver Shadows

Source: Silver Shadows

“I’m just saying that I think I chose the way I did in part because of you. Since I’ve
met you, everything I’ve done has been in part because of you.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Source: City of Glass

Way, Parting

“We must not think of the things we could do with, but only of the things that we can't do without.”

Jerome K. Jerome book Three Men in a Boat

Source: Three Men in a Boat

“I spent the afternoon musing on Life. If you come to think of it, what a queer thing Life is! So unlike anything else, don't you know, if you see what I mean.”

P.G. Wodehouse (1881–1975) English author

Life

“Never take your eyes off your opponent. And never think you don’t have to work for a victory. Even now, you could surprise me. (Takeshi)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Acheron

Victory

“I couldn't help thinking about my dream, with Annabeth crumpled and lifeless in Luke's arms. Here I was rescuing baby monsters, but I couldn't save my friend.”

Rick Riordan book The Titan's Curse

Source: The Titan's Curse

Dreams, Help, Baby

“I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil. My God created laws that take care of that. His universe is not ruled by wishful thinking, but by immutable laws.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

Source: Attributed in posthumous publications, Einstein and the Poet (1983), p. 132
Variant transcription from "Death of a Genius" in Life Magazine: "I cannot accept any concept of God based on the fear of life or the fear of death, or blind faith. I cannot prove to you that there is no personal God, but if I were to speak of him I would be a liar."
Context: About God, I cannot accept any concept based on the authority of the Church. As long as I can remember, I have resented mass indoctrination. I do not believe in the fear of life, in the fear of death, in blind faith. I cannot prove to you that there is no personal God, but if I were to speak of him, I would be a liar. I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil. My God created laws that take care of that. His universe is not ruled by wishful thinking, but by immutable laws.

God, Law, Universe, Evil

“stories make you think and dream; books make you want to ask questions”

Michael Morpurgo (1943) British children's writer

Source: I Believe in Unicorns

Books, Dreams, Question

“What’s so funny? (Astrid)
I’m just thinking, here I am a slave who touched a star who then made him a demigod. I have to be the luckiest bastard who ever lived. (Zarek)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon book Dance with the Devil

Source: Dance with the Devil

Star

“Now I am quietly waiting for
the catastrophe of my personality
to seem beautiful again,
and interesting, and modern.The country is grey and
brown and white in trees,
snows and skies of laughter
always diminishing, less funny
not just darker, not just grey.It may be the coldest day of
the year, what does he think of
that? I mean, what do I? And if I do,
perhaps I am myself again.”

Frank O'Hara book Meditations in an Emergency (book)

Source: Mayakovsky, st. 4, from Meditations in an Emergency (1957).

Beauty, Laughter, Tree, Waiting

“life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis”

E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) American poet

Four VII
is 5 (1926)

Life, Death

“Heaven is for thee too high
To know what passes there; be lowly wise.
Think only what concerns thee and thy being;
Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there
Live, in what state, condition, or degree,
Contented that thus far hath been revealed.”

John Milton book Paradise Lost

Source: Paradise Lost

World, Dreams

“An Englishman thinks a hundred miles is a long way; and American thinks a hundred years is a long time”

Diana Gabaldon book Drums of Autumn

Source: Drums of Autumn

Way, Time

“If you were the wall, what would you rather be? Dreary and dull, or alive with paint?"
"Walls can't think!"
"That doesn't stop them from caring.”

Brandon Sanderson book The Emperor's Soul

Source: The Emperor's Soul

Painting

“You know more than you think you do.”

Benjamin Spock (1903–1998) American pediatrician and author of Baby and Child Care

First sentence. This is printed beneath the heading "Trust Yourself" , and thus is often quoted as "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. "
Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care (1945)