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The conscience of the world is so guilty that it always assumes that people who investigate heresies must be heretics; just as if a doctor who studies leprosy must be a leper. Indeed, it is only recently that science has been allowed to study anything without reproach. -Aleister Crowley, author (1875-1947) I think that Crowley is mistaken on two counts. First, I don't believe that the world assumes that people who investigate heresies are heretics. I don't, and I haven't found that people in general do. In fact many would argue the opposite, that in general people are rather more gullible than cynical in regard to heresy-hunters. Secondly, I think that science has had a rather free hand for most of its relatively short life, although the current period seems increasingly marked by attempts by some scientists to quash certain lines of inquiry that threaten the accepted scientific orthodoxy.
Anyone can be an idealist. Anyone can be a cynic. The hard part lies somewhere in the middle i.e. being human. -- Hugh Macleod, "How To Be Creative" I agree that it is hard to find the right point of balance on that continuum, but I wouldn't equate that one point with being human. I would agree that the extremes are beyond what I would call human, but there is a large range that qualifies as human.
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. -Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and author (1817-1862) I guess it reveals my prejudice against Thoreau that I agree with this aphorism but wonder about the writer's real commitment to truth. Love, money, and fame may not have had much attraction for him, but I suspect that his own opinions were more important to him than truth.
Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting. -George Orwell, writer (1903-1950) Sad to say, I am afraid that Orwell is right, except that I don't think violence plays much part in some sports, like tennis.
"A compliment is a gift, not to be thrown away carelessly, unless you want to hurt the giver." -- Eleanor Hamilton In other words, if someone pays you a compliment, don't just shrug it off, but acknowledge it with thanks. Otherwise you may offend the giver of the compliment.
To delight in war is a merit in the soldier, a dangerous quality in the captain, and a positive crime in the statesman. -George Santayana, philosopher (1863-1952) I agree with two out of three, but I don't think anyone, even a soldier, should delight in war. I would agree rather that for a soldier to delight in battle is probably a good thing.
You can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements. -Norman Douglas, novelist (1868-1952) Scary as it is, I suspect this is true. But advertising is a relatively recent development, so it is really hard to say how true it is, viewed longitudinally. On the other hand, it would be very interesting to compare advertising around the world over the last few decades to see if it reveals, as some contend, a growing homogenization of culture.
