Quotes about nothing
A collection of quotes on the topic of nothing, doing, use, likeness.
Quotes about nothing
Yuzuru Hanyu (1994) Japanese figure skater (1994-)
Annotation: Hanyu's being asked what difference it makes for him to go into the 2020 World Championships as a challenger after being the considered favorite for the title in recent years.
CBC interview with Scott Russell
Original: (ja) えっと、まあ、チャレンジャーっていうことを言われますけど、でもいつも他のスケーターの良いところを追いかけてるし、他のスケーターに対してチャレンジしたいなって思ってるし、だからいつも自分はチャレンジャーだと思っていて、だから今シーズンの世界選手権でも先シーズンの世界選手権でも何も変わらないかなって思います。
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican scholastic philosopher of the Roman Catholic Church
“Retaliation gets you nothing. Revenge is worthless.”
Tom Hiddleston (1981) English actor, producer and musical performer
Freddie Mercury (1946–1991) British singer, songwriter and record producer
As quoted in NME (2 November 1974) http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Freddie_Mercury_-_11-02-1974_-_NME.
“There's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.”
Bob Ross (1942–1995) American painter, art instructor, and television host
“If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for?”
Ai Weiwei (1957) Chinese concept artist
“He who does nothing makes no mistakes; he who makes no mistakes learns nothing.”
Luca Pacioli (1445–1517) Italian father of accounting
“If nothing saves us from death, at least love should save us from life”
Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) Chilean poet
“Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows.”
Nisargadatta Maharaj book I Am That
I am
Variant: Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing.' Between the two, my life flows.
Source: I Am That
Context: "I find that somehow, by shifting the focus of attention, I become the very thing I look at, and experience the kind of consciousness it has; I become the inner witness of the thing. I call this capacity of entering other focal points of consciousness, love; you may give it any name you like. Love says 'I am everything'. Wisdom says "I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows. Since at any point of time and space I can be both the subject and the object of experience, I express it by saying that I am both, and neither, and beyond both."
Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity
As quoted in Journal of France and Germany (1942–1944) by Gilbert Fowler White, in excerpt published in Living with Nature's Extremes: The Life of Gilbert Fowler White (2006) by Robert E. Hinshaw, p. 62. From the context http://books.google.com/books?id=_2qfZRp9SeEC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA62#v=onepage&q&f=false it seems that White did not specify whether he had heard Einstein himself say this or whether he was repeating a quote that had been passed along by someone else, so without a primary source the validity of this quote should be considered questionable.<br>Some have argued that elsewhere Einstein defined a "miracle" as a type of event he did not believe was possible—Einstein on Religion by Max Jammer (1999) quotes on p. 89 from a 1931 conversation Einstein had with David Reichinstein, where Reichinstein brought up philosopher Arthur Liebert's argument that the indeterminism of quantum mechanics might allow for the possibility of miracles, and Einstein replied that Liebert's argument dealt "with a domain in which lawful rationality [determinism] does not exist. A 'miracle,' however, is an exception from lawfulness; hence, there where lawfulness does not exist, also its exception, i.e., a miracle, cannot exist." ("Dort, wo eine Gesetzmässigkeit nicht vorhanden ist, kann auch ihre Ausnahme, d.h. ein Wunder, nicht existieren." D. Reichenstein, Die Religion der Gebildeten (1941), p. 21). However, it is clear from the context that Einstein was stating only that miracles cannot exist in a domain (quantum mechanics) where lawful rationality does not exist. He did not claim that miracles could never exist in any domain. Indeed, Einstein clearly believed, as seen in many quotations above, that the universe was comprehensible and rational, but he also described this characteristic of the universe as a "miracle". In another example, he is quoted as claiming belief in a God, "Who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world." <br class="br">As quoted in From Yale to Jail: The Life Story of a Moral Dissenter (1993) by David T. Dellinger, p. 418 <br class="br">Disputed <br class="br">Variant: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. <br class="br">Variant: There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Ram Dass (1931–2019) American contemporary spiritual teacher and the author of the 1971 book Be Here Now
“There is nothing in this world that I fear to say.”
Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907) Russian chemist and inventor
“You gotta be careful: don't say a word to nobody about nothing anytime ever.”
Johnny Depp (1963) American actor, film producer, and musician
“And Dr. Dre said … nothing, you idiots! Dr. Dre's dead, he's locked in my basement!”
Eminem (1972) American rapper and actor
"The Real Slim Shady"
2000s, The Marshall Mathers L.P. (2000)
Marie Curie (1867–1934) French-Polish physicist and chemist
As quoted in Our Precarious Habitat (1973) by Melvin A. Benarde, p. v
“Happiness consists in getting enough sleep. Just that, nothing more.”
Robert A. Heinlein book Starship Troopers
Source: Starship Troopers
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American author and poet
“If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.”
Oprah Winfrey (1954) American businesswoman, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”
Marie Curie (1867–1934) French-Polish physicist and chemist
As quoted in Our Precarious Habitat (1973) by Melvin A. Benarde, p. v
Context: Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) Dutch post-Impressionist painter (1853-1890)
Quote in Vincent's letter, from Arles, Tuesday, 18 September 1888; as cited in Van Gogh : The Self-portraits (1969) by Fritz Erpel, p. 17
Variant translations: The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.
As quoted in Mary Engelbreit's Words To Live By (1999) by Mary Engelbreit
I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.
1880s, 1888
Variant: There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.
Hermann Göring (1893–1946) German politician and military leader
At lunch during the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal (11 December 1945); Nuremberg Diary p. 66, 1947 edition.
Nuremberg Diary (1947)
Joseph Goebbels (1897–1945) Nazi politician and Propaganda Minister
https://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/haken32.htm “Those Damn Nazis: Why Are We Socialists?”
Written by Joseph Goebbels and Mjölnir, Die verfluchten Hakenkreuzler. Etwas zum Nachdenken (Munich: Verlag Frz. Eher (1932). “Those Damned Nazis,” (Nazi propaganda pamphlet).
1930s
Sophie Scholl (1921–1943) White Rose member
As quoted in Christian Jazz Artists Newsletter (February/March 2005) http://www.songsofdavid.com/CJAFebMarch2005.htm; this source is disputed as it does not cite an original document for the quote. <br class="br">Disputed
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian American inventor
About the role of J. Pierpont Morgan, and the failure of Tesla's "World System" project
My Inventions (1919)
Context: He had the highest regard for my attainments and gave me every evidence of his complete faith in my ability to ultimately achieve what I had set out to do. I am unwilling to accord to some small−minded and jealous individuals the satisfaction of having thwarted my efforts. These men are to me nothing more than microbes of a nasty disease. My project was retarded by laws of nature. The world was not prepared for it. It was too far ahead of time, but the same laws will prevail in the end and make it a triumphal success.
Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918) Emperor of All the Russias, Grand Duke of Finland and King of Poland By the Grace of God
As quoted in [Richard Wortman, Scenarios of Power: From Alexander II to the abdication of Nicholas II, https://books.google.com/books?id=wGp4M2DzfMQC&pg=PA341, 1995, Princeton University Press, 0-691-02947-4, 341–]
Bob Dylan (1941) American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and artist
Song lyrics, Highway 61 Revisited (1965), Like a Rolling Stone
Source: da Like a Rolling Stone, n.° 1
Context: Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse. When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose. You're invisible now. You've got no secrets to conceal.
“Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-British philosopher
Source: Culture and Value (1980), p. 39e
“The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing - and then marry him.”
Cher (1946) American singer and actress
“It's only terrible to have nothing to wait for.”
Erich Maria Remarque book Three Comrades
Source: Three Comrades
“People who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
Joseph Stalin (1879–1953) General secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Variant: Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.
“To stand up for truth is nothing. For truth, you must sit in jail.”
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918–2008) Russian writer
Banksy pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, and painter
Other sources
Source: Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall
Context: Bus stops are far more interesting and useful places to have art than in museums. Graffiti has more chance of meaning something or changing stuff than anything indoors. Graffiti has been used to start revolutions, stop wars, and generally is the voice of people who aren't listened to. Graffiti is one of those few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don't come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make somebody smile while they're having a piss.
“There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
James Doolittle (1896–1993) United States Air Force Medal of Honor recipient
Neale Donald Walsch (1943) American writer
Source: Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1
“When there's no clear option, it's better to do nothing.”
Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) German field marshal of World War II
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Austrian Romantic composer
Letter as published in The Letters of Mozart & His Family (1938) translated and edited by Emily Anderson, p. 1114.
“I have nothing! Nothing! If I don't have you.”
Whitney Houston (1963–2012) American singer, actress, model, and record producer
“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet
Variant: Always forgive your enemies — nothing annoys them so much.
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.”
Sophia Loren (1934) Italian actress
As quoted in The Subtlety of Emotions (2001) by Aaron Ben-Ze'ev, p. 204.
“Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.”
Thales (-624–-547 BC) ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician
A Dictionary of Thoughts (1908) by Tryon Edwards, p. 234
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) French composer, organist, conductor, and pianist of the Romantic era
Source: “L’illusion wagnérienne”, Portraits et souvenirs, Société d’édition artistique, 1899, 206‒220
Michael Jackson (1958–2009) American singer, songwriter and dancer
Handwritten note published in People (12 October 1987)
“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.”
Alexander the Great (-356–-323 BC) King of Macedon
On taking charge of an attack on a fortress, in Pushing to the Front, or, Success under Difficulties : A Book of Inspiration (1896) by Orison Swett Marden, p. 55
“We must trust to nothing but facts”
Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794) French chemist
Source: Elements of Chemistry (1790), pp. xviii
Context: We must trust to nothing but facts: These are presented to us by Nature, and cannot deceive. We ought, in every instance, to submit our reasoning to the test of experiment, and never to search for truth but by the natural road of experiment and observation.
Hermann Göring (1893–1946) German politician and military leader
This statement was attributed to Goering in at least one book on World War II, but it was removed from the English Wikipedia page on him on grounds that it was not actually verified that Goering had ever said it.
Disputed
Context: In 1940 I could at least fly as far as Glasgow in most of my aircraft, but not now! It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. The British, who can afford aluminium better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building, and they give it a speed which they have now increased yet again. What do you make of that? There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over I'm going to buy a British radio set – then at least I'll own something that has always worked.
Robert Greene (1959) American author
Chap. 8 : Change Your Circumstances by Changing Your Attitude
The Laws of Human Nature (2018)
“Nothing I accept about myself can be used against me to diminish me.”
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) writer and activist
Source: Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
A.A. Milne book Winnie-the-Pooh
Source: Winnie-the-Pooh
“I am nothing but I must be everything.”
Karl Marx book Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right
Source: Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right
“Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Renaissance polymath
“Nothing is more sad than the death of an illusion.”
Arthur Koestler (1905–1983) Hungarian-British author and journalist
“The story you are about to read is a work of fiction. Nothing - and everything - about it is real.”
Todd Strasser (1950) American author of young-adult and middle grade novels
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”
Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) African American boxer, philanthropist and activist
Douglas Adams book Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Source: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
“If you expect nothing from somebody you are never disappointed.”
Sylvia Plath book The Bell Jar
Source: The Bell Jar (1963), Ch. 5
“Nothing captures human interest more than human tragedy.”
Dan Brown book Angels & Demons
Source: Angels & Demons
“Why are there beings at all, and why not rather nothing? That is the question.”
Martin Heidegger book Introduction to Metaphysics
Warum ist überhaupt Seiendes und nicht vielmehr Nichts? Das ist die Frage.
What is Metaphysics? (1929), p. 110
Cf. Gottfried Leibniz, De rerum originatione radicali (1697)ː "cur aliquid potius extiterit quam nihil."
Source: Introduction to Metaphysics
