Recommended quotes
page 46

“But as the power of Hellas grew, and the acquisition of wealth became more an objective, the revenues of the states increasing, tyrannies were established almost everywhere…”

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War

Book I, 1.13-[1] (See also: Karl Marx, Grundrisse, Introduction p. 7)
History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I

“I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire…”

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War

Book III, 3.37-[1] (Speech of Cleon..).
History of the Peloponnesian War, Book III

“So little pains do the vulgar take in the investigation of truth, accepting readily the first story that comes to hand.”

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War

Variant translation: "...the search for truth strains the patience of most people, who would rather believe the first things that come to hand." Translation by Paul Woodruff.
Book I, 1.20-[3]
History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I

“Mein Führer, who commands The Ninth Army, you or I?”

Walter Model (1891–1945) German field marshal

To Adolf Hitler on 20 January 1942, Wolfsschanze. Quoted in "Generalfeldmarschall Model Biographie" - Page 115 - by Walter Göriltz - 2012

“To be a Latin Lover a man, above all, has to be a great fucker — he has to be infallible and I'm not that. I often foul it up.”

Marcello Mastroianni (1924–1996) Italian actor

In 1977, to Dick Cavett while accompanied by Sophia Loren; quoted by French Film Stars Database http://hri.shef.ac.uk/filmstars/starsDetail.php?intID=978&strRecord=Newspaper_Article, which sources it to his obituary in The Guardian

“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”

Edward Weston (1886–1958) American photographer

“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.”

Edward Abbey (1927–1989) American author and essayist

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness (Vox Clamantis in Deserto) (1990)

“Whoever you are, no matter what social position you have, rich or poor, always show great strength and determination, and always do everything with much love and deep faith in God. One day you will reach your goal.”

Ayrton Senna (1960–1994) Brazilian racing driver

Interview, 1991 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuJL8fKtTj8‎

“All the ambitious, who the cupidity of the court can no longer satisfy and the public functionaries it can no longer corrupt, will throw themselves into this party. The successive uprisings will be followed by a general uprising, and the satellites and the privileged henchmen of the prince will fall beneath the blows of the discontented, he himself will be thrown from the throne and proscribed along with his unworthy family. The kingdom will be torn apart by different factions. From the fire of civil dissension several federated republics will be born; the most audacious and skillful citizens will usurp the empire, will subject the multitude to a new yoke, and the government will have changed form without having re-established freedom.”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

"Freedom is Lost

“How could liberty ever have established itself amongst us? Apart from several tragic scenes, the revolution has been nothing but a web of farcical scenes… But it is in the nation’s senate that the most grotesque parades have taken place.”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

L'Ami du peuple, no.672 (1792-07-14)

“Robespierre listened to me with terror. He grew pale and silent for some time. This interview confirmed me in the opinion that I always had of him, that he unites the knowledge of a wise senator with the integrity of a thoroughly good man and the zeal of a true patriot but that he is lacking as a statesman in clearness of vision and determination.”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

L'Ami du peuple, vol. 7, p. 3965

“Fifty years of anarchy await you, and you will emerge from it only by the power of some dictator who will arise- a true statesman and patriot. O prating people, if you did but know how to act!”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

L'Ami du peuple, vol. 7 (1792-09-05), p. 4790

“Five or six hundred [aristocratic] heads lopped off would have assured you repose and happiness; a false humanity has restrained your arm and suspended your blows; it will cost the lives of millions of your brothers.”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

L'Ami du peuple, vol. 2, p. 1121

“To form a truly free constitution, that’s to say, truly just and wise, the first point, the main point, the capital point, is that all the laws be agreed on by the people, after considered reflection, and especially having taken time to see what’s at stake…”

Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) politician and journalist during the French Revolution

Letter to Camille Desmoulins (1792-06-24) in Œuvres de Desmoulins p. 76ff

“Of all the characters I've played, I think I have more in common with that guy than with Reilly: Ace of Spies", referring to Carl Fitzgerald in Death in Brunswick.”

Sam Neill (1947) Irish-born New Zealand actor

Who Weekly (New Zealand); 23 August 1993

“I'm playing a cat burglar. I've made it. This is the high point of my career. I'm really chuffed.”

Sam Neill (1947) Irish-born New Zealand actor

Entertainment Weekly; 23 July 1993, Referring to his role on The Simpsons

“I got an Irish passport the other day. I love it. It's the best thing in my pocket.”

Sam Neill (1947) Irish-born New Zealand actor

The Irish Times, 13 December 2008

“The fact that a woman you love reaches a point in the relationship where she ceases to love you, and despite that you can never bring yourself to scorn or despise her, is very rare indeed.”

Françoise Sagan (1935–2004) French writer

Un chagrin de passage (1994, A Fleeting Sorrow, translated 1995)

“A TV evening with the right person can be more erotic than sex with the wrong one. ”

Ville Valo (1976) Finnish rock musician

“What of Art?
-It is a malady.
--Love?
-An Illusion.
--Religion?
-The fashionable substitute for Belief.
--You are a sceptic.
-Never! Scepticism is the beginning of Faith.
--What are you?
-To define is to limit.”

Oscar Wilde book The Picture of Dorian Gray

Source: The Picture of Dorian Gray