Quotes about doing
page 62

“Everything Iʹd been taught about eluding someone came rushing back to my head. What I wanted to do more than anything was look around and see if I had a follower, but that would have definitely attracted attention.”

Richelle Mead book Last Sacrifice

Source: Last Sacrifice

“I'm backing down now. I really do love you. That's why I'm doing this.”

Richelle Mead book Last Sacrifice

Source: Last Sacrifice

Love

“Learn a language of another country and then you can go to that country: a place where the problems of your family will not follow. A language they do not speak.”

Alice Sebold book Lucky

Source: Lucky

Family, Problem, Learning, Country

“Goddamn it, do it yourself. You’re five hundred years old and you can’t use a telephone? Read the directions. What are you, an immortal idiot?”

Anne Rice book The Queen of the Damned

Source: The Queen of the Damned

Reading

“Booze takes a lot of time and effort if you're going to do a good job with it.”

Raymond Carver (1938–1988) American short story author and poet

Source: Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories

Effort, Time

“We fool ourselves so much we could do it for a living.”

Stephen King book Duma Key

Source: Duma Key

Fools

“I was seducing shepherdesses when you weren't a twinkle in your great-grandcestor's eyes. I think I know what I'm doing.”

Jim Butcher book Storm Front

Source: Storm Front

Thinking

“Marriage is a big word for all guys,” Shane said. “You know that. It’s kind of an allergy. We get itchy and sweaty just trying to spell it, much less do it.”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Last Breath

Marriage, Guy

“So do flux and reflux--the rhythm of change--alternate and persist in everything under the sky.”

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) English novelist and poet

Source: Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Change

“You could be the Mega Mage of wizards. You could rule Minionfire.
Do you really think so?'
Yeah, but you'd have to make a deal with the wood elves.'
I don't like the wood elves.'
They're okay. They're misunderstood.”

Janet Evanovich (1943) Novelist

Thinking

“Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.”

Pythagoras (-585–-495 BC) ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher

As quoted in The World's Laconics: Or, The Best Thoughts of the Best Authors (1853) by Everard Berkeley
Variant: Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will.

Powerful

“The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.”

Bette Davis (1908–1989) film and television actress from the United States

Motivational, Graduation, Life, Dead

“Any tips for winning?” she’d asked.
“Yeah. Do what you gotta do to survive.”
“That’s it? Wow. You suck at pep talks.”

Gena Showalter (1975) American writer

Source: The Darkest Surrender

“Isn't it strange how upset people get about a few dozen baseball players taking growth hormones, when we're doing what were doing to our food animals and feeding them to our children?”

Jonathan Safran Foer book Eating Animals

Source: Eating Animals

Children, People, Food, Animals

“The fact that the market is not doing what we wish it would do is no reason to automatically assume that the government would do better.”

Thomas Sowell (1930) American economist, social theorist, political philosopher and author

“Sometimes, very occasionally, you do your best boxing with your mouth.”

Bryce Courtenay The Power of One

Source: The Power of One

Box

“Oh-do be careful with that! That's my Buddha hand grenade. Twist the head twice and throw it and anyone within ten yards can say their prayers.”

Anthony Horowitz Alex Rider

Source: Snakehead

“We do not want to be beginners [at prayer]. but let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anything but beginners, all our life!”

Thomas Merton (1915–1968) Priest and author

Life

“There comes a precious moment in all of our lives when we are tapped on the shoulder and offered the opportunity to do something very special that is unique to us and our abilities, what a tragedy it would be if we are not ready or willing.”

Winston S. Churchill (1874–1965) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

“If you go to your death rather than do everything you might to prevent what is happening, you are merely committing suicide and trying to make yourself feel better about it. That is the act of a coward. It is beneath contempt.”

Jim Butcher Dead Beat

Source: Dead Beat

Death, Feeling, Suicide

“My friend is going to save a little girl from monsters. I am going with him. That's what friends do.”

Jim Butcher book Changes

Source: Changes

Girl

“I felt like a kid standing in the world's greatest video arcade without any quarters, unable to do anything but walk around and watch the other kids play.”

Ernest Cline book Ready Player One

Source: Ready Player One

World

“When you get everything you wanted, I think maybe you do have to be a little grateful for the people who got you there… whether or not they thought they were doing you any favors at the time.”

Jennifer Weiner (1970) American writer

People, Thinking, Time

“I'm worried he's going to… do something crazy."
"He lives in a hole in the ground, dresses funny, and occasionally eats his assistants," Eve said. "Define crazy.”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Ghost Town

“No one can give anyone else the gift of the idyll; only an animal can do so, because only animals were not expelled from Paradise. The love between dog and man is idyllic. It knows no conflicts, no hair-raising scenes; it knows no development.”

Milan Kundera book The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Source: The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Love, Dogs, Animals

“It's funny, because even though they're rattling on about the Games, it's all about where they were or what they were doing or how they felt when a specific event occurred…. Everything is about them, not the dying boys and girls in the arena”

Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games

Source: The Hunger Games

Girl, Game, Boy

“It would be fun,” Skulduggery nodded. ”I like kicking Wreath in the face. I haven't had a chance to do it nearly as much as I'd like.”

Derek Landy (1974) Irish children's writer

Source: Death Bringer

Chance

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”

Helen Keller (1880–1968) American author and political activist

Motivational, For women, Deep, Happy

“What you do in your dreams is never your choice. But it made me happy anyway.”

Sarah Dessen (1970) American writer

Source: Saint Anything

Dreams, Happiness

“I do not think you are in any danger of starving," Maximus said. "The surgeon said only two weeks ago that you are too fat."

"The devil!" Berkley said indignantly, sitting up; and Maximus snorted in amusement at having provoked him.”

Naomi Novik book His Majesty's Dragon

Source: His Majesty's Dragon

Thinking

“Do you love me?’ he asked instead. ‘Because if you don’t, I’d wait until you did. I’d wait weeks and months and years.”

Melina Marchetta (1965) Australian teen writer

Source: Quintana of Charyn

Love, Waiting

“People say the truth hurts. Hell no, it hurts even more if you do a whole bunch of foolishness to try and avoid it.”

Tyler Perry (1966) American actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, producer, author, and songwriter

People, Truth, Hell, Hurt

“In some situations, if you say nothing, you are called dull; if you talk, you are thought impertinent and arrogant. It is hard to know what to do in this case. The question seems to be, whether your vanity or your prudence predominates.”

William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English writer

Source: Selected Essays, 1778-1830

Question

“They keep saying that sea levels are rising an all this. It's nowt to do with the icebergs melting, it's because there's too many fish in it. Get rid of some of the fish and the water will drop. Simple. Basic science.”

Karl Pilkington (1972) English television personality, social commentator, actor, author and former radio producer

3 Minute Wonder, Episode 4
On Nature
Source: The Ricky Gervais Show - First, Second and Third Seasons

Fish, Water, Science, Sea

“Who are you, gaijin? What do you know about honor?'
'I'm called Chocho,' Will said…
'Chocho?' Arisaka shouted, goaded beyond control. 'Butterfly? Then die, Butterfly!”

John Flanagan (1873–1938) Irish-American hammer thrower

Source: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

“What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

People, Thinking

“Fanatics can justify practically any atrocity to themselves. The more untenable their position becomes, the harder they hold to it, and the worse the things they are willing to do to support it.”

Mercedes Lackey (1950) American novelist and short story writer

Source: Changes

Support

“Go all the way with it. Do not back off. For once, go all the goddamn way with what matters.”

Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American author and journalist

Source: The Complete Short Stories

Way

“Poor creatures. What did we do to you? With all our schemes and plans?”

Kazuo Ishiguro book Never Let Me Go

Source: Never Let Me Go

“I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.”

John Cheever (1912–1982) American novelist and short story writer

Christian Science Monitor (October 24, 1979).

Kiss

“We're all blessed and we're all blighted, Chief Inspector," said Finney. "Everyday each of us does our sums. The question is, what do we count?”

Louise Penny (1958) Canadian woman writer

Source: A Rule Against Murder

Question

“You do not convince me. You rationalize your actions and because the result is favorable you become right.”

David Gemmell (1948–2006) British author of heroic fantasy

Source: Lord of the Silver Bow

“It’s what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future.”

Paulo Coelho book Aleph

Source: Aleph

Change, Past, Future

“Doing what you love isn't a priviledge; it's an obligation.”

Barbara Sher (1935) American writer

Source: Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams

Love

“I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.”

Herman Melville (1818–1891) American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet

Thinking

“The essence of wisdom is to know when to be doing, and when it's useless even to try”

Mary Stewart book The Last Enchantment

Source: The Last Enchantment

Wisdom

“I don't understand it any more than you do, but one thing I've learned is that you don't have to understand things for them to be.”

Madeleine L'Engle book A Wrinkle in Time

Source: A Wrinkle in Time

Understanding, Learning

“No--when the rain falls you just let it fall and you grin like a madman and you dance with it, because if you can make yourself happy in the rain then you're doing pretty alright in life. (Nick, page 156)”

Rachel Cohn (1968) American writer

Life, Dance, Happiness

“Sometimes we know in our bones what we really need to do, but we're afraid to do it. Taking a chance and stepping beyond the safety of the world we've always known is the only way to grow, though and without risk there is no reward.”

Wil Wheaton (1972) American actor and writer

Source: Just a Geek: Unflinchingly honest tales of the search for life, love, and fulfillment beyond the Starship Enterprise

World, Way, Chance

“No woman really wants a man to carry her off; she only wants him to want to do it.”

Elizabeth Peters (1927–2013) American author and egyptologist

For women

“(…): Oh, David, I would trust you with my life! Oh, Jonathan, I would sacrifice my own life for your holy mission! (He almost does): (weeping) David, you must return to me! I need you! I cannot do this thing without you!: Lo, I return!”

Cassandra Clare book The Shadowhunter's Codex

Source: The Shadowhunter's Codex

Life

“If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

William Morris (1834–1896) author, designer, and craftsman

"The Beauty of Life," a lecture before the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design (19 February 1880), later published in Hopes and Fears for Art: Five Lectures Delivered in Birmingham, London, and Nottingham, 1878 - 1881 (1882).

Beauty, Housing

“Some guys step on a rake in the dark, and get mad and go punch somebody. Others step on a rake in the dark and fall down laughing at themselves. I know which kind of guy I'd rather be. So do my friends.”

Spider Robinson book Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

Source: Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

Guy, Madness

“Power wears out those who do not have it.”

Mario Puzo (1920–1999) American Novelist

“The point of life was to press on, to do the best you can, to make the world a better place.”

Tom Clancy book Clear and Present Danger

Source: Clear and Present Danger

Life, World

“Jack, there are only two of us here. One of us is going to push him out, one of us is going to catch him. Which job do you want?”
(Melinda talking to her husband)”

Robyn Carr American writer

“Striving for social justice is the most valuable thing to do in life.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

Misattributed <br class="br">Source: This appears to originate in April 2014 with an unsourced entry in picturequotes: http://www.picturequotes.com/striving-quotes <br><br><br>Ref: en.wikiquote.org - Albert Einstein / Misattributed

Justice, Life

“What's wrong with my proposition?" Poirot rose. "If you will forgive me for being personal-I do not like your face, M. Ratchett.”

Agatha Christie book Murder on the Orient Express

Source: Murder on the Orient Express

Forgiveness, Personality

“Women do not think with logic and discretion but with emotions of the heart”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Prince

Source: Clockwork Prince

Women, Thinking, Heart

“Chickens can do many things, but they cannot make sophisticated deals with humans.”

Jonathan Safran Foer book Eating Animals

Source: Eating Animals

“Sebastian never does anything just for fun.” Jace took Clary’s hand and pulled her toward him. “But I do.”

Cassandra Clare The City of Lost Souls

Source: City of Lost Souls

“I believe in good and evil," said Jem. "And I believe the soul is eternal. But I don't believe in the fiery pit, the pitchforks, or endless torment. I do not believe you can threaten people into goodness.”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Angel

Source: Clockwork Angel

People, Soul, Evil

“It's not right for one friend to do all the giving and the other to do all the taking: that's not read friendship.”

Haruki Murakami (1949) Japanese author, novelist

Source: After the Quake

Friendship, Reading

“Don't let anyone take care of you. Can you maybe leave that for me to do? I mean, take care of you? Feel free to take care of me in return… because I think I'll need you to do that.”

Melina Marchetta (1965) Australian teen writer

Source: The Piper's Son

Feeling, Thinking

“Denouncing evil is a far cry from doing good.”

Philip Gourevitch We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families

Source: We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families

Evil, Cry

“I was scared. Do you know what it's like to hold someone else's life in
your hands? It's like playing God. Can you think of anything scarier than
that?”

Sidney Sheldon book Rage of Angels

Source: Rage of Angels

Life, God, Thinking

“My love is my soul's imagination…
how do I love you… imagine.”

Saul Williams (1972) American singer, musician, poet, writer, and actor

Love, Soul, Imagination

“We’re a different sort of thief here, Lamora. Deception and misdirection are our tools. We don’t believe in hard work when a false face and a good line of bullshit can do so much more.”

Scott Lynch The Lies of Locke Lamora

Source: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Falseness

“Hurry up, mundie boy, we've got work to do.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Bones

Source: City of Bones

Boy

“To reach back and help, and expect neither reward nor even thanks.

To reach back and help, because that is what spiritual beings do.”

Brian L. Weiss

Source: Messages from the Masters: Tapping into the Power of Love

Help

“All I ever wanted was to know what to do.”

Dave Eggers (1970) memoirist, novelist, short story writer, editor, publisher

Source: You Shall Know Our Velocity!

“Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.”

Confucius (-551–-479 BC) Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher

Gratitude

“Sage,” Adrian declared. “These hands don’t do manual labor.”

Richelle Mead Bloodlines

Source: Bloodlines

“… sitting and waiting is one of the most miserable occupations known to man - not that it usually is known to men; women do it much more often.”

Diana Gabaldon book Dragonfly in Amber

Source: Dragonfly in Amber

Women, Men, Waiting

“One thing I can tell you for sure is this: we only regret what we don't do in life.”

Kristin Hannah (1960) American writer

Source: Firefly Lane

Life

“The realities of life do not allow themselves to be forgotten.”

Victor Hugo book Les Misérables

Source: Les Misérables

Life, Reality

“A second chance—that’s the delusion. There never was to be but one. We work in the dark—we do what we can—we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art.”

Henry James book The Middle Years

Source: The Middle Years

Art, Passion, Chance, Madness

“We can do anything you like. Just be with me.”

Christine Feehan American writer

Source: Magic in the Wind

“I think hope is the worst thing in the world. I really do. It makes a fool of you while it lasts. And then when it's gone, it's like there's nothing left of you at all… except what you can't be rid of.”

Marilynne Robinson Home

Source: Home

World, Hope, Fools, Thinking

“Buffalo Bill's
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death”

E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) American poet

Death, Boy

“The people do not complain because they have no voice; do not move because they are lethargic, and you say that they do not suffer because you have not seen their hearts bleed.”

José Rizal book Noli Me Tángere

Source: Noli Me Tángere

People, Suffering, Heart

“Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everybody else?”

James Thurber (1894–1961) American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright

“I will do those things which make me happy today and which I can also live with ten years from now.”

Greg Iles book The Quiet Game

Source: The Quiet Game

Happiness

“Do me a favor."

"Don't lick your seat belt?"

Ash's expression was total confusion. "Huh? where did that randomness come from?”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Invincible

“It doesn't matter what you can do if you don't know why you're doing it.”

Chuck Klosterman Eating the Dinosaur

Source: Eating the Dinosaur

“The English play hockey in any weather. Thunder, lightening, plague of locusts… nothing can stop the hockey. Do not fight the hockey, for the hockey will win.”

Maureen Johnson (1973) writer from the USA

Fight, Weather, Hockey

“I am air and thought and can do nothing.”

Madeline Miller book The Song of Achilles

Source: The Song of Achilles

“You do not win by struggling to the top of a caste system, you win by refusing to be trapped within one at all.”

Naomi Wolf book The Beauty Myth

Source: The Beauty Myth (1991), Chapter 8 : 'Beyond the Beauty Myth', p. 290

“Damn you. WHY do you plant these things in my head?”

Lauren Myracle (1969) American children's writer

Source: ttyl

“Breaking rules isn't bad when what you're doing is more important than the rule itself”

Kim Harrison (1966) Pseudonym

Source: Once Dead, Twice Shy

“One of the cruelest things you can do to another person is pretend you care about them more than you really do.”

Douglas Coupland (1961) Canadian novelist, short story writer, playwright, and graphic designer

Relationship, Personality

“Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the persuit of evil.”

David Gemmell book White Wolf

Source: White Wolf

Men, Lie, Strong, Evil

“How do you have five children in a row, each on a different say?”
“They’re gods,” Carter said. “They can do stuff like that.”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

God, Children

“You seek a false comfort when you demand that I define myself for you with words. Words do not contain or define any person. A heart can, if it is willing.”

Robin Hobb (1952) American fiction writer (pseudonym)

Source: Golden Fool

Heart, Personality, Falseness

“What do any of us really know about love?”

Raymond Carver (1938–1988) American short story author and poet

Love

“A learning experience is one of those things that say, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."”

Douglas Adams book The Salmon of Doubt

Variant: A learning experience is one of those things that says, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.
Source: Interview in The Daily Nexus (5 April 2000), reprinted in The Salmon of Doubt

Learning