
“There is no better way to know us
Than as two wolves, come separately to a wood.”
The Marquis de Sade, cited by Bataille in Erotism: Death and Sensuality
Erotism: Death and Sensuality (1962)
“There is no better way to know us
Than as two wolves, come separately to a wood.”
“If there is any better way to teach virtue than by practicing it, I do not know it.”
The Better Part (1901)
Context: No man who believes in force and violence is an Anarchist. The true Anarchist decries all influences save those of love and reason. Ideas are his only arms.
Being an Anarchist I am also a Socialist. Socialism is the antithesis of Anarchy. One is the North Pole of Truth, the other the South. The Socialist believes in working for the good of all, while Anarchy is pure Individualism. I believe in every man working for the good of self; and in working for the good of self, he works for the good of all. To think, to see, to feel, to know; to deal justly; to bear all patiently; to act quietly; to speak cheerfully; to moderate one's voice — these things will bring you the highest good. They will bring you the love of the best, and the esteem of that Sacred Few, whose good opinion alone is worth cultivating. And further than this, it is the best way you can serve Society — live your life. The wise way to benefit humanity is to attend to your own affairs, and thus give other people an opportunity to look after theirs.
If there is any better way to teach virtue than by practicing it, I do not know it.
Would you make men better — set them an example. The millenium will never come until governments cease from governing, and the meddler is at rest. Politicians are men who volunteer the task of governing us, for a consideration. The political boss is intent on living off your labor. A man may seek an office in order to do away with the rascal who now occupies it, but for the most part office-seekers are rank rogues. Shakespeare used the word politician five times, and each time it is synonymous with knave. That is to say, a politician is one who sacrifices truth and honor for policy. The highest motive of his life is expediency — policy. In King Lear it is the "scurvy politician," who through tattered clothes beholds small vices, while robes and furred gowns, for him, covers all.
“It is better to present one image in a lifetime than to produce voluminous work.”
“To me death is better than the defensive.”
Quoted in W. Lyon Blease, "Suvorof," 1926.
“Better be killed than frightened to death.”
Mr. Facey Romford's Hounds (1865) ch. 39
“Death is, in some ways, unacceptable.”
Sam Harris, Big Think Sam Harris On Death http://bigthink.com/ideas/3127 (4 July 2007)
2000s
Context: Death is, in some ways, unacceptable. It’s just an astonishing fact of our being here that we die. But I think worse than that is if we live long enough, we lose everyone we love in this world. I mean people die and disappear, and we’re left with this stark mystery: just the sheer not knowing of what happened to them.
“What better way to get to know someone than through her choice and treatment of books?”
Source: The Thirteenth Tale
“Death with honor is better than a life of degradation.”
Majlisi, Bihārul Anwār, vol.44 p. 192
General Quotes
“Death is better, a milder fate than tyranny.”
Variant translation: Death is softer by far than tyranny.
Source: Oresteia (458 BC), Agamemnon, line 1364