Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German writer, artist, and politician
Book VII Chapter IX
Wilhelm Meister's Wanderjahre (Journeyman Years) (1821–1829)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German writer, artist, and politician
Book VII Chapter IX
Wilhelm Meister's Wanderjahre (Journeyman Years) (1821–1829)
Max Scheler (1874–1928) German philosopher
I am referring to the view that the “true” and the “given” is not that which is self-evident, but rather that which is “indubitable” or “incontestable,” which can be maintained against doubt and criticism.
Source: Das Ressentiment im Aufbau der Moralen (1912), L. Coser, trans. (1973), p. 67
Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) Dutch philosopher
George Santayana, in "On My Friendly Critics", in Soliloquies in England (1922)
S - Z, George Santayana
“The art of the parenthesis is one of the great secrets of eloquence in Society.”
Nicolas Chamfort (1741–1794) French writer
L’art de la parenthèse est un des grands secrets de l’éloquence dans la Société.
Maximes et Pensées, #243
Maximes and Thoughts, #243
Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814) German philosopher
Source: The Characteristics of the Present Age (1806), P. 213-214
Edward Bellamy (1850–1898) American author and socialist
Source: Looking Backward, 2000-1887 http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25439 (1888), Ch. 22.
Robin Sloan (1979) American writer
A Messiah, a first disciple, and a rapture. Check, check, and double-check. Penumbra is, right now, teetering right on the boundary between charmingly weird old guy and disturbingly weird old guy. Two things tip the scales toward charm: First, his wry smile, which is not the smile of the disturbed, and micromuscles don’t lie. Second, the look in Kat’s eyes. She’s enthralled. I guess people believe weirder things than this, right? Presidents and popes believe weirder things than this.
Source: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (2012), Chapter 15 “The Strangest Clerk in Five Hundred Years” (p. 136)
Christian Dior (1905–1957) French fashion designer
Genevieve Page, in p. 31
Christian Dior: The Man who Made the World Look New
Birju Maharaj (1938) Indian dancer
His dance in the ballet choreography Rati Kamdeva performed along with co-artiste Kumudini Lakhi reviewed in the Statesman in "Movement in Stills: The Dance and Life of Kumudini Lakhia}, page=115.
Oscar Zeta Acosta book Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo
Source: Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo (1972), p. 91.
Ralph Steadman book The Joke's Over
Rumble In The Jungle: Ali v Foreman, p. 133
The Joke's Over (2006)
Daniel Defoe (1660–1731) English trader, writer and journalist
Source: Robinson Crusoe (1719), Ch. 9, A Boat.
“Those who fought know a secret about themselves, and it is not very nice.”
Paul Fussell (1924–2012) Recipient of the Purple Heart medal
… They have experienced secretly and privately their natural human impulse toward sadism and brutality. As I say in this new book of mine, not merely did I learn to kill with a noose of piano wire put around somebody's neck from behind, but I learned to enjoy the prospect of killing that way. It's those things that you learn about yourself that you never forget. You learn that you have much wider dimensions than you had imagined before you had to fight a war. That's salutary. It's well to know exactly who you are so you can conduct the rest of your life properly.
Humanities interview (1996)
“What would you think the odds were that this town could keep that secret for this long?”
W. Mark Felt (1913–2008) Whistleblower who exposed the Watergate scandal
Benjamin C. Bradlee, former Executive Editor of the Washington Post, who, along with Woodward and Bernstein, were the only ones publicly known to know the identity of "Deep Throat."
John Muir (1838–1914) Scottish-born American naturalist and author
William Frederic Badé (pages 38-40)
Sierra Club Bulletin - Memorial Issue
“Some things stayed secrets even when you told them.”
Daniel Abraham (1969) speculative fiction writer from the United States
Source: Nemesis Games (2015), Chapter 3 (p. 33)
Charles Kingsley (1819–1875) English clergyman, historian and novelist
What sort of show then do I already make in the sight of Almighty God, who sees every man exactly as he is?
P. 276.
Attributed, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)
Philip Roth (1933–2018) American novelist
But is it "hostile," really, to take a look at the ferocity of the emotion they call "hostility"?
Paris Review Interview (1986)
“Congress... has become a secret tyrannical bastion of Wall Street, and that outrages people...”
Ralph Nader (1934) American consumer rights activist and corporate critic
"How The Rats Reformed The Congress" (2018)
John Allen Paulos book A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper
Introduction (p. 3)
A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper (1995)
Ram Prasad Bismil (1897–1927) revolutionary, poet & writer
Masterpieces of Patriotic Urdu Poetry, p. 109
Poetry, Desire for Self-sacrifice (Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna)
China Miéville book The 9th Technique
The 9th Technique (p. 101)
Short Fiction, Three Moments of an Explosion (2015)
Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880–1906) French Carmelite nun and mystic
Letters to Madame de Sourdon, L 122, 15 June 1902; as quoted in Always Believe in Love: Selected Writings of Elizabeth of the Trinity by Marian Murphy, 2017, p. 109 https://books.google.it/books?id=JX3LDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA109.
Bao Tong (1932–2022) Policy secretary of former Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang
On the 2008 Chinese milk scandal
"If the Chinese government tries to play down this incident, there will be no social stability in China, let alone harmony... It will mean that this government has lost the most basic level of trust."[7] -
"Uproar Over China Milk Scandal". Radio Free Asia. September 23, 2008.
2000s
Edward Gibbon (1737–1794) English historian and Member of Parliament
EGPaIV" Edward Gibbon, [1788], Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/gibbon/05/daf05010.htm, Vol. 5, Chapter L: Description Of Arabia And Its Inhabitants. Part IV. <br class="br">The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire: Volume 1 (1776)
Arun Shourie (1941) Indian journalist and politician
Eminent Historians: Their Technology, Their Line, Their Fraud (1998)
“The secret of a Scientist is not what he knows. It’s what he asks.”
Stephen Baxter book Raft
Source: Raft (1991), Chapter 4 (p. 45)
Karl Kraus (1874–1936) Czech playwright and publicist
Variant translation: The secret of the demagogue is to make himself as stupid as his audience so that they believe they are as clever as he.
Half-Truths and One-And-A-Half Truths (1976)
Gottfried de Purucker (1874–1942) Author, Theosophist
Give up the small life, the petty life, the mean life, the restricted life, the little personal life which shuts you in - give it up and follow the light of the Star within you.
The Masters and the Path of Occultism (1939)
spirituality and wisdom
Luis Rafael Sánchez (1936) Puerto Rican playwright and novelist
On plays versus novels in “Luis Rafael Sánchez: Counterpoints" https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00096005/00024/14j (Sargasso, 1984)
Esperanza Spalding (1984) American jazz bassist and singer
On becoming a writer in “Esperanza Spalding Talks Recording an Album in 77 Hours, Sexism in Music & Nicki Minaj” https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7973640/esperanza-spalding-77-hours-livestream-album-interview in Billboard (2017 Sep 22)
Gaur Gopal Das (1973) Indian spiritual leader, lifestyle coach and motivational speaker
[Positive attitude key to success, says Gaur Gopal Das, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/positive-attitude-key-to-success-says-gaur-gopal-das/articleshow/62501124.cms, Times of India, 15 January 2018]
Gaur Gopal Das (1973) Indian spiritual leader, lifestyle coach and motivational speaker
[Power to choose is much bigger than the challenges one faces,says Gaur Gopal Das, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/power-to-choose-is-much-bigger-than-the-challenges-one-faces-says-gaur-gopal-das/articleshow/65516324.cms, Times of India, 23 August 2018]
Antonio Fresco (1983) American DJ, music producer, and radio personality
Written by Antonio Fresco, Patricia Possollo, Lorena J'zel <br class="br">Song lyrics, Rattlesnake https://genius.com/Antonio-fresco-patricia-possollo-rattlesnake-lyrics (2019)
Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, and author
The Essays Or Counsels, Civil And Moral, Of Francis Ld. Verulam Viscount St. Albans (1625), Of Parents and Children
“The secret of liberty is to enlighten men, as that of tyranny is to keep them in ignorance.”
Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794) French revolutionary lawyer and politician
As quoted in Human Rights and Freedoms in the USSR (1981) by Fedor Eliseevich Medvedev and Gennadiĭ Ivanovich Kulikov, p. 221 <br class="br">Original: Le secret de la liberté est d'éclairer les hommes, comme celui de la tyrannie est de les retenir dans l'ignorance <br class="br">Variant: The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant. <br class="br">Source: Public statement (November 1792), quoted in Oeuvres de Maximilien Robespierre (1840), Volume 2, p. 253 http://books.google.com/books?id=iSMVAAAAQAAJ
Omar Khayyám (1048–1131) Persian poet, philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer
Source: The Rubaiyat (1120)
Lila Downs (1968) Mexican American singer-songwriter
On her vocal style in “Lila Downs Reminds Us of the Strength Women Bring to Latin America and its History” https://sheshredsmag.com/lila-downs-14/ in She Shreds (2018 May 3) <br class="br">Music and culture
Stephen Vincent Benét (1898–1943) poet, short story writer, novelist
Source: Litany for Dictatorships (1935)
John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) 35th president of the United States of America
Source: 1961, Speech to Special Joint Session of Congress
Alexandra David-Néel (1868–1969) French explorer, spiritualist, Buddhist, anarchist and writer
Source: The Secret Oral Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Sects (1964)
Alexandra David-Néel (1868–1969) French explorer, spiritualist, Buddhist, anarchist and writer
Source: The Secret Oral Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Sects (1964)
Thomas Jackson (1824–1863) Confederate general
As quoted in Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War (1904) by George Francis Robert Henderson http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12233, Ch. 25 : The Soldier and the Man, p. 481 <br class="br">Q him, never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow…]]
“My Pussy Queen
Knows all my secrets.
I'll never fall in love again.”
Kate Bush (1958) British recording artist; singer, songwriter, musician and record producer
Song lyrics, Never for Ever (1980)
Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American author and journalist
Letter to Bernard Berenson (13 September 1952); published in Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters 1917–1961 (1981) edited by Carlos Baker
“Having fun is an art and the secret is playing DJ.”
Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer
Original: (it) Divertirsi è un'arte e il segreto è giocare DJ.
Source: prevale.net
“The secret of success is understanding what it can affect.”
Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer
Original: (it) Il segreto del successo è capire ciò che può colpire.
Source: prevale.net
“The secret is to act not to react.”
Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer
Original: (it) Il segreto è agire non reagire.
Source: prevale.net
Gregory J. Studerus (1948) Roman Catholic priest
Hudson pastor becomes a bishop https://www.nj.com/opinion/2020/02/hudson-pastor-to-become-a-bishop-faith-matters.html (Februay 27, 2020)
Felix Adler (1851–1933) German American professor of political and social ethics, rationalist, and lecturer
Section 2 : Religion
Life and Destiny (1913)
Michelle Obama (1964) lawyer, writer, wife of Barack Obama and former First Lady of the United States
Interview with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (3 December 2018) https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46434147 <br class="br">2010s
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet
“Ask yourself the secret of your success. Listen to your answer, and practice it.”
Richard Bach (1936) American spiritual writer
“To follow, without halt, one aim: There is the secret of success.”
Anna Pavlova (1881–1931) Russian ballet dancer
“It is only a certain type of mind that scorns what is known by all and reads secrets as jewels.”
Neal Stephenson book Seveneves
“Five Thousand Years Later” (p. 749)
Seveneves (2015), Part Three
Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer
Original: (it) Il segreto per risolvere un problema sta sempre nel trovare la strada più adatta: rifletti, prova, non arrenderti, sii costante ed otterrai.
Source: prevale.net
“Having fun is an art and the secret is playing DJ.”
Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer
(it) Divertirsi è un'arte e il segreto è giocare DJ.
Peter Chung Hoan Ting (1928) Malaysian catholic priest
Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung celebrates his 90th birthday http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/archbishop-emeritus-peter-chung-celebrates-his-90th-birthday/44331/1 (September 21, 2018)
Filip Dewinter (1962) Flemish politician
Filip Dewinter: Following the series in De Standaard, here's an anthology of tweets: http://vrijmetselarijvoordummies.blogspot.com/2012/02/twitter.html
Mary Baker Eddy book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
Source: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 13
Martha Beall Mitchell (1918–1976) Wife of American politician
[Martha Mitchell, Saturday Evening Post, Fall 1971, 243, 2, 50-53]
“The desert reveals its secrets; the great mystery of interior Africa is revealed day by day.”
Émile Banning (1836–1898) academic, civil servant
All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), Emile Banning (1836-1898): The Don Quichotte of the ‘liberal civilization’ in Congo, Emile Banning's Colonial Career. http://www.ethesis.net/leopold_II/leopold_II.htm#_ftn194 On January 17, February 14 and 15, 1876, Emile Banning wrote three articles in L'Echo du Parliament on the new developments in the discovery and exploration of Central Africa. See ARAB. Papiers Banning, VII, 118, Les voyages de découverte dans l'Afrique, February 15, 1876.
David Bentley Hart (1965) American theologian
Source: The Doors of the Sea (2005), Chapter 1, Section 2, location 144
Jason Kenney (1968) Canadian politician and 18th Premier of Alberta
On whether schools should automatically notify parents if a student joins a Gay-Straight Alliance club https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/kenney-parents-should-be-told-if-child-joins-gay-straight-alliance (29 March 2017) <br class="br">2010s
Knute Rockne (1888–1931) American college football player and college football coach (1888-1931)
As quoted in Coaching Champions: The Privilege of Mentoring (1994) by Jess Gibson, p. 160
Henry Tizard (1885–1959) British chemist
Undated attributed quote
Vera Stanley Alder (1898–1984) British artist
Source: Humanity Comes of Age, A study of Individual and World Fulfillment (1950), Introduction p. I - XII
Gilles Côté (bishop) (1945) Canadian-born bishop
Source: An Exclusive Interview with Bishop Gilles Côté, SMM http://www.montfortian.info/en/blog/?an-exclusive-interview-with-bishop-gilles-côté,-smm (27 June 2018)
James D. Watson (1928) American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist.
Coda: Our Genes and Our Future (p. 430)
Source: DNA: The Story of the Genetic Revolution (2003/2017)
William Gibson Blue Ant trilogy
Source: Blue Ant trilogy, Pattern Recognition (2003), Chapter 7, "The Proposition" (Bigend to Cayce, about the footage)
Abu Talib al-Makki Scholar, mystic
Source: The Sayings and Teachings of the Great Mystics of Islam (2004), p. 86
Arthur C. Clarke A Time Odyssey
Source: 2000s and posthumous publications, A Time Odyssey, Firstborn (2007), Chapter 49, “Areosynchronous” (p. 313)
Sisi Yemmie (1984) Nigerian Youtuber
Source: https://guardian.ng/life/spotlight/sisi-yemmie-the-inspirational-vlogger/ Sisi yemmie speaking at an interview.
Dan Fante (1944–2015) American writer
Dan Fante [quote appears on Goodreads but does not state a source]
Unsourced
Alice Meynell (1847–1922) English publisher, editor, writer, poet, activist
Source: Preludes (1875), "To a Daisy", p. 70
Amos Tversky (1937–1996) Israeli psychologist
Source: Notes made by Tversky for a scientific paper, c.1972. Michael Lewis. "The Undoing Project: A Friendship that Changed the World". Penguin, 2016 (ISBN 9780141983035).
John Taylor Gatto book The Underground History of American Education
Source: The Underground History of American Education: An Intimate Investigation Into the Prison of Modern Schooling (2001), pp. 105-106
John Taylor Gatto book Dumbing Us Down
Source: Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (1992), p. 6
John Taylor Gatto (1935–2018) American teacher, book author
Source: "I Quit, I Think" (1991)
“Luscious feet that listened to the soil and stole its secrets.”
Fannie Hurst (1889–1968) novelist
Lummox (1923)
Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) American author
Opening lines of "The Hashish Eater; or, the Apocalypse of Evil" (1920)