Recommended quotes page 2

„There is nothing quite so useless, as doing with great efficiency, something that should not be done at all.“

—  Peter F. Drucker American business consultant 1909 - 2005

Variant: There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.

„From love's plectrum arises
the song of the string of life
Love is the light of life
love is the fire of life“

—  Muhammad Iqbál Urdu poet and leader of the Pakistan Movement 1877 - 1938

„We thought the hard part was over—but we were wrong. Living is the hardest part. Figuring out how to live your life when you’re all busted up inside and out—there is nothing harder.“

—  Paullina Simons, book The Summer Garden

Source: The Summer Garden

„If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life.“

—  James Hudson Taylor, A Retrospect

(J. Hudson Taylor. A Retrospect. Philadelphia: China Inland Mission, n.d., 20).

„We are all carrying so many things in our life and inside ourselves. Often it feels there is no place to put them down. Where do you place the questions you carry“

—  Sabrina Ward Harrison, Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself

Source: Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself

„It is so hard for us little human beings to accept this deal that we get. It's really crazy, isn't it? We get to live, then we have to die. What we put into every moment is all we have… What spirit human beings have! It is a pretty cheesy deal—all the pleasures of life, and then death.“

—  Gilda Radner American comedian 1946 - 1989

It's Always Something (1989), pg. 87 (2009 edition)

„When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready.“

—  Paulo Coelho, book The Devil and Miss Prym

Source: The Devil and Miss Prym‎ [O Demônio e a srta Prym] (2000), p. x; this has also been misquoted as "A moment is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny."
Context: When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.

„The tragedy of life is not death but what we let die inside of us while we live.“

—  Norman Cousins American journalist 1915 - 1990

„… exclude the need for appearances: what counts is not appearances; the value of life does not depend on the approval of others or on success, but on what we have inside us.“

—  Papa Francesco 266th Pope of the Catholic Church 1936

As quoted in "Imposition of the Ashes - Homily of pope Francis" at www.vatican.va (5 March 2014) http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140305_omelia-ceneri_en.html
2010s, 2014

„Life has many ways of testing a person's will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.“

—  Paulo Coelho, book The Winner Stands Alone

Source: The Winner Stands Alone

„Sure, when you're in the midst of your own suffering, it's easy to convince yourself that you're no good—but we are all tested in this life… The measure of a man is not how much he suffers in the test, but how he comes out at the end.“

—  Neal Shusterman, UnWholly

Source: UnWholly

„Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.“

—  Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

Source: The Sense of Wonder (1965)
Context: Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

„All through my life, I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested.“

—  Muhammad Ali, book The Soul of a Butterfly

The Soul of a Butterfly, 2004
Variant: All through my life I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested.
Source: The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey

„The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.“

—  Leon Trotsky Marxist revolutionary from Russia 1879 - 1940

Trotzky's Diary in Exile — 1935 (1958)

„I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.“

—  Elisabeth Elliot, book Through Gates of Splendor

Source: Through Gates of Splendor

„I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve.“

—  Anthony Robbins Author, actor, professional speaker 1960

As quoted in The Educator's Book of Quotes‎ (2003) by John Blaydes, p. 57
Context: I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.

„When we surrender when we do not fight with life when it calls upon us we are lifted and the strength to do what needs to be done finds us.“

—  Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Invitation

Source: The Invitation

„She had been born for this man, and she had spent so many years trying to accept the fact that he had been born for someone else…“

—  Julia Quinn, Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Source: Romancing Mister Bridgerton

„I don't sing my mother tongue
No, this is not a love song“

—  Till Lindemann German industrial metal musician 1963

"Amerika"
Reise, Reise (2004)