“All my life I have had a certain idea of France.”

J. C. Ward, Memoirs of a Theoretical Physicist (Optics Journal, Rochester, 2004).

"The Question Mark Inside" (2008)

"Unlikely heir who saved the family jewels" http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0693507a-4830-11e0-b323-00144feab49a.html#axzz1GZU7VVRA, Financial Times, 03-06-11

Letter to Hugo Boxel (Oct. 1674) The Chief Works of Benedict de Spinoza (1891) Tr. R. H. M. Elwes, Vol. 2, Letter 58 (54).
Context: If I had as clear an idea of ghosts, as I have of a triangle or a circle, I should not in the least hesitate to affirm that they had been created by God; but as the idea I possess of them is just like the ideas, which my imagination forms of harpies, gryphons, hydras, &c., I cannot consider them as anything but dreams, which differ from God as totally as that which is not differs from that which is.<!--pp. 382-383

Quote of w:Richard Huelsenbeck (1961), as cited in Calvin Tomkins (1965) Ahead of the game: four versions of avant-garde, p. 160

Part I, Ch. 1
Green Hills of Africa (1935)

As quoted in The Story of Walt Disney (1957)
Context: All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.