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“As Darwin puts it in The Descent of Man, "Male snakes, though appearing so sluggish, are amorous." Isn't that just like Darwin? It was one of his main ideas, you know, that the males of almost all animals have stronger passions than the females. Since then we've learned a thing or two. At any rate, the female snake is right there when spring arrives in the woods.”

Will Cuppy (1884–1949) American writer

Own Your Own Snake
How to Become Extinct (1941)

“Every year the media comes up with something to describe my race … The first year it was "the comeback." Then it was the "the confirmation." I don't know what it was last year. This year, for me, it's "the year of the team." I can't say how I compare to the rider I was in 1999 or 2000 or 2001, but this team is much stronger than it has ever been. It has made it easier for me.”

Lance Armstrong (1971) professional cyclist from the USA

As quoted in "King of the Hill" by Kelli Anderson in Sports Illustrated (5 August 2002)

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been, and ever will be, pursued, until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit. In a society, under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign, as in a state of nature where the weaker individual is not secured against the violence of the stronger: And as in the latter state even the stronger individuals are prompted by the uncertainty of their condition, to submit to a government which may protect the weak, as well as themselves: so in the former state, will the more powerful factions be gradually induced by a like motive, to wish for a government which will protect all parties, the weaker as well as the more powerful.”

Alexander Hamilton Federalist Papers

No. 51
The Federalist Papers (1787–1788)

“Seeing therefore they are both [heat and pain] immediately perceived at the same time, and the fire affects you only with one simple, or uncompounded idea, it follows that this same simple idea is both the intense heat immediately perceived, and the pain; and consequently, that the intense heat immediately perceived, is nothing distinct from a particular sort of pain.”

George Berkeley book Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous

Philonous to Hylas.
Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous (1713)

“Must being in love always mean being in pain?”

Alain de Botton (1969) Swiss writer

Source: On Love

“… just remember, darling, it is pain that changes our lives.”

Steve Martin book Shopgirl

Variant: It's pain that changes our lives.
Source: Shopgirl

“Plus, humor is a good way to hide the pain. - Leo”

Rick Riordan book The Lost Hero

Variant: Humor was a good way to hide the pain.
Source: The Lost Hero

“There are kinds of pain that you can't speak out loud.”

Jodi Picoult book Handle With Care

Variant: Even though it hurt, there are kinds of pain you couldn't speak out loud.
Source: Handle with Care

“My rapier wit hides my inner pain.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Variant: I'm sorry. I use my rapier wit to hide my inner pain.

“Something flickers across his bloodshot eyes. Pain.”

Suzanne Collins book Catching Fire

Source: Catching Fire

“you’d think that silence would be peaceful. but really, it’s painful.”

David Levithan book Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Source: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

“That is all I want in life: for this pain to seem purposeful.”

Elizabeth Wurtzel book Prozac Nation

Source: Prozac Nation

“Pain is a part of growing-up. It is how we learn..”

Dan Brown (1964) American author

“Pain is the world. I don't have anywhere to run.”

Kathy Acker book Blood and Guts in High School

Source: Blood and Guts in High School

“She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.”

William Shakespeare Othello

Source: Othello

“… when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.”

Jane Austen book Persuasion

Source: Persuasion

“We do not recognize our souls until they are in pain.”

James O'Barr The Crow

Source: The Crow

“You'd be amazed at the pain and tears a single smile hides.”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Acheron

“The unending paradox is that we do learn through pain.”

Madeleine L'Engle (1918–2007) American writer

“Pain or love or danger makes you real again….”

Jack Kerouac book The Dharma Bums

Source: The Dharma Bums