George Washington

"Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest. Scoff at none although they give Occasion." -- The Papers of George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour

Good advice I think, but not much followed these days of pervasive bantering.

Rita Mae Brown

"Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the tides." -- Rita Mae Brown

True, which is why we must be very careful both when we write and when we read. The effectiveness of propaganda is rooted, for example, in the word choices that are made and the very order of sentences and paragraphs.

Joseph Wood Krutch, writer and naturalist (1893-1970)

How anyone can profess to find animal life interesting and yet take delight in reducing the wonder of any animal to a bloody mass of fur or feathers? -Joseph Wood Krutch, writer and naturalist (1893-1970)

I agree that taking delight in the bare act of killing an animal is probably a perversion, but nevertheless there are legitimate reasons for killing an animal.

Nikos Kazantzakis, poet and novelist (1883-1957)

True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own. -Nikos Kazantzakis, poet and novelist (1883-1957)

I agree with the sentiment, but the expression is a bit grandiose.

Herman Melville, novelist and poet

All visible objects, man, are but as pasteboard masks. But in each event -- in the living act, the undoubted deed -- there, some unknown but still reasoning thing puts forth the mouldings of its features from behind the unreasoning mask. -Herman Melville, novelist and poet (1819-1891)

I wonder if this was written or spoken in connection with Moby Dick, and if it was, what reasoning thing did he intend to be putting forth its features in that great white whale?

Khalil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist

Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love. -Khalil Gibran, mystic, poet, and artist (1883-1931)

True, if today we bear in mind that God is truth, beauty, and love.

Helen Keller, author and lecturer

The highest result of education is tolerance. -Helen Keller, author and lecturer (1880-1968)

Unfortunately, one can have a lot of education, reach the highest level of achievement, and not reach this highest result. There are many intolerant doctors, lawyers, and PhDs. (It is worth noting, though, that tolerance is not the ultimate in virtue.)

Abba Agathon, monk (4th/5th century)

I have never gone to sleep with a grievance against anyone. And, as far as I could, I have never let anyone go to sleep with a grievance against me. -Abba Agathon, monk (4th/5th century)

Ref. Mt. 18:15, Mt. 5:23-24, , Eph. 4:26

Robert Green Ingersoll

In the presence of eternity, the mountains are as transient as the clouds. -Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)