“We are going through hard times now. The enemy is within us but it is invisible. We are one nation, we have one religion but there is no accord between us.”

“The English have taught us that we were not one nation before and that it will reaquire centuries before we become one nation. This is without foundation. We were one nation before they came to India. One thought inspired us. Our mode of life was the same. It was because we were one nation that they were able to establish one kingdom. Subsequently they divided us.”

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) pre-eminent leader of Indian nationalism during British-ruled India

“Life is a pure flame and we live by an invisible sun within us.”

Thomas Browne (1605–1682) English polymath

“And here's to the songs we used to sing;
And here's to the times we used to know.
It's hard to hold them in our arms again,
But hard to let them go.”

Neil Diamond (1941) American singer-songwriter

“As a community, you’ve inspired us, Newtown. In the face of indescribable violence, in the face of unconscionable evil, you’ve looked out for each other. You’ve cared for one another. And you’ve loved one another. This is how Newtown will be remembered, and with time and God’s grace, that love will see you through.
But we as a nation, we are left with some hard questions.”

Barack Obama (1961) 44th President of the United States of America

“We all come up a little short and we go down hard.
These days I spend my time skipping through the dark.
Through the empires of dust, I chant your name.
I am the hunter of invisible game.”

Bruce Springsteen (1949) American singer and songwriter

“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and poet

“We have been given a gift that is really, really precious. It’s simple. It isn’t going to get us anything. It isn’t there to augment anything. It’s there for us to be able to experience something that is within ourselves. It is not there to change our religions, our practices, our daily lives. But it is only there for one reason, for one reason alone. Simple happiness. Simple joy.”

Prem Rawat (1957) controversial spiritual leader

“By a miracle the 19th amendment has been ratified, we women now have a weapon of defense ... it will be a shame to us if we do not use it … we shall give our enemies a stick with which to break our head, Hold meetings, every time you meet a woman talk to her about going to the polls and vote!”

Mary Church Terrell (1863–1954) African Americans' rights activist

“We colour and mould according to the wants within us whatever our eyes bring in.”

Thomas Hardy book Far from the Madding Crowd