“Possessing by letting go of things was a secret of ownership unknown to youth.”

“Scientists are entitled to be proud of their accomplishments, and what accomplishments can they call 'theirs' except the things they have done or thought of first? People who criticize scientists for wanting to enjoy the satisfaction of intellectual ownership are confusing possessiveness with pride of possession. Meanness, secretiveness and, sharp practice are as much despised by scientists as by other decent people in the world of ordinary everyday affairs; nor, in my experience, is generosity less common among them, or less highly esteemed.”

Peter Medawar (1915–1987) scientist

“From the ownership of women the concept of ownership extends itself to include the products of their industry, and so there arises the ownership of things as well as of persons.”

Thorstein Veblen book The Theory of the Leisure Class

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

Thich Nhat Hanh (1926) Religious leader and peace activist

“I have no secret thoughts… Or rather, they're not secret because I've withheld them — if they're unknown, it's because no one asked.”

Orson Scott Card (1951) American science fiction novelist

“The pretence that numbers are not the humble creation of man, but are the exacting language of the Universe and therefore possess the secret of all things, is comforting, terrifying and mesmeric.”

Peter Greenaway (1942) British film director

“The secret self knows the anguish of our attachments and assures us that letting go of what we think we must have to be happy is the same as letting go of our unhappiness.”

Guy Finley (1949) American self-help writer, philosopher, and spiritual teacher, and former professional songwriter and musician

“In countries where associations are free, secret societies are unknown. In America there are factions, but no conspiracies.”

Alexis De Tocqueville book Democracy in America

“But the heaviest things, I think, are the secrets. They can drown you if you let them.”

Ally Carter book Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover

“Let us ask the Gods not for possessions, but for things to do; happiness is in making things rather than consuming them.”

Will Durant (1885–1981) American historian, philosopher and writer