
“It is the essence of dignity to pretend to desire what you cannot prevent.”
Source: The Tales of Alvin Maker, The Crystal City (2003), Chapter 9 “Expeditions” (p. 166).
Source: The Book of Disquiet
“It is the essence of dignity to pretend to desire what you cannot prevent.”
Source: The Tales of Alvin Maker, The Crystal City (2003), Chapter 9 “Expeditions” (p. 166).
Session 899, Page 225
Dreams, Evolution and Value Fulfillment, Volume One (1986)
Variant: Frankly, I was horrified by life, at what a man had to do simply in order to eat, sleep, and keep himself clothed. So I stayed in bed and drank. When you drank the world was still out there, but for the moment it didn't have you by the throat.
Source: Factotum
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”
Often given as a saying of Aristotle with no reference.
Disputed
The Waking (1953), The Waking
Source: The Collected Poems
Context: This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.
“Change is the essence of life; be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”
Lecture XXX, Atheism alone a Positive View
Lectures on the Essence of Religion http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/feuerbach/works/lectures/index.htm (1851)