Quotes

“And it occurred to me that friendship was a lot more dependable, not to mention long-lasting, than love.”

Lisa Kleypas (1964) American writer

Source: Blue-Eyed Devil

Marjane Satrapi photo

“I had learned that you should always shout louder than your aggressor.”

Marjane Satrapi (1969) Artist

Source: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

John Donne photo

“Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls;
For, thus friends absent speak.”

John Donne (1572–1631) English poet

Verse Letter to Sir Henry Woton, written before April 1598, line 1
Variant: More than kisses, letters mingle souls.

Alan Moore photo
Aristotle photo

“The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.”

Aristotle (-384–-321 BC) Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy
Jim Butcher photo
Thomas Jefferson photo

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past, — so good night!”

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) 3rd President of the United States of America

Letter to John Adams (1 August 1816)
1810s

John D. Rockefeller photo

“I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.”

John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937) American business magnate and philanthropist

As quoted in Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life (2010) by Bryan Curtis, p. 75

Julia Child photo
Clayton M. Christensen photo

“It’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time.”

Clayton M. Christensen (1952–2020) Mormon academic

Intro (2012 edition)
1990s, The Innovator's Dilemma (1997)
Source: How Will You Measure Your Life?

Ian Fleming photo

“Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles.”

Source: Casino Royale (1953), Ch. 20 : The Nature Of Evil
Context: "Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles."
He laughed. "But don't let me down and become human yourself. We would lose a wonderful machine."

Assata Shakur photo

“The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives.”

Assata Shakur (1947) American activist who was a member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army

Source: Assata: An Autobiography

“Sometimes, the loneliness probably got to be too much and anyone seemed better than no one.”

Gena Showalter (1975) American writer

Source: Through the Zombie Glass

Karen Joy Fowler photo
William Wordsworth photo

“Wisdom is oft-times nearer when we stoop
Than when we soar.”

William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Romantic poet

Source: The Excursion 1814